Journal Entry #8

Point/Counterpoint: Should Schools be Held Responsible for Cyberbullying? (NETS- T 4 & 5)

Bogacz, Renee, & Gómez Gordillo , Miguel. (2011). Point/counterpoint: should schools be held responsible for cyberbullying?. Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(6), retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_Schools_Be_Held_Responsible_for_Cyberbullying.aspx

  Point/ Counterpoint is a quick read asking the question if schools are responsible for cyberbullying. Whether the reader agrees that schools hold some responsibility or are not at fault, the article provides a number of useful suggestions for teachers, administrators, parents and students. It is identified that while the action of cyberbullying may not take place on campus, educators need to be aware of the students’ needs concerns and the laws protecting students. Additionally, the article identifies that raising children starts at the home and is continued in the school system, therefore a team effort is needed for success. Finally, the article identifies appropriately that many parents today are not intentionally lacking in preventing cyberbullying and other cyber issues, but that parents themselves do not have the knowledge to help or prevent issues. The article promotes not only open communication with parents and schools, but that the educators educate the parents in areas of such importance. While the counterpoint of the article states it is not the responsibility of the school system to raise children, as educators, it is the school system’s responsibility to protect children, foster a positive learning environment and assist parents in educating children. This is a complex issue, but as times have become so much more demanding for our youth, it takes a village to raise a child. Placing blame on one group, rather than placing the responsibility on all is flawed and does not prevent the problem or help the children.

Question 1: What is your role of an educator? With this in mind, does responsibility lye with the school system and educators to prevent cyberbullying? 

I have always considered my role as an educator as a guide, helper, role-model and at times a caregiver to the children I work with. In some of my teaching experiences, I know that the classroom where I worked was the only “safe” place for some of the children. They had no parents who cared, understood or were able to give them positive guidance in life or education. With these experiences in mind I firmly believe it is at the very least partially the responsibility of the educators to educate about these issues as well as protect those who cannot protect themselves..

Question 2: How can the schools help parents effectively monitor student cyber activity? Why would these suggestions be helpful? 

I believe that the schools could initiate a few simple steps to help prevent cyberbullying and promote more productive learning for students. First, the schools should create a newsletter for parents to read not only about upcoming events, but issues of importance within the community and school itself. Parents should know what is taking place in their children’s schools, provide the information. Second, there should be an open door policy for parents to contact a school official when concerns arise about bullying of any type. Parents should know who to contact and know what the procedures are to ensure action/investigations will take place when a concern is expressed. Finally, schools need to educate parents about current issues of concern. Times have changed greatly since today’s parents where students. The concerns, challenges, and pressures are in many cases more different than they may expect. As a result of so many social changes, parents need educated on not only what their children are learning, but what to look for in behavior, technology, and current social pressures. If we as educators expect parents to create a strong foundation to build upon, it is necessary to keep those parents informed.