TechQuest Proposal

CEP 812: Draft Post #1 - Compelling Problem

Cyberbullying and Internet Safety

Technology has reached a point where it is readily available to the masses. It is very easy for a student to go online; even if that student does not have access at home. With the cost of laptops constantly falling, many students have access to such a device. Now, consider how many hot spots are in your neighborhood, and you can see how easy it is for a young person to get on the Internet. (This doesn't even consider how many students have cell phones that can access the Internet.)

For this TechQuest, I would like to develop a means for educators to teach/instruct students about the dangers of the Internet. Internet safety and cyberbullying are areas that I want to cover in this project.

A study done by Cox Communications and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children yielded these statistics:

· 61% of 13-17 year-olds have a personal profile on sites like MySpace, Friendster, or Xanga.

· 71% reported receiving messages online from someone they don't know.

· 45% have been asked for personal information by someone they don't know.

· 20% of teens report that it is safe to share personal information on a public blog or networking site.

While schools are very eager to put technology into the hands of their students, quite often is the case where students are simply turned loose on the internet. There is very little instruction other than a vague warning, "Don't go to these sites!" This TechQuest will introduce students to the dangers that lurk out on the Net. It will also show them how to be smart with the information that they are posting, and how to avoid those that wish to cause harm.

The TechQuest will create a resource list that students and teachers can review for information regarding this topic. Students can use this resource as a stepping stone in their journey to further learn about internet safety.

It is my hope that this project will bring to the student's attention the need for caution when they journey out into the Internet. Also, it is my hope that fellow teachers will implement the resources developed by this project. In doing so, this will help reinforce the need for the students to be cautious.

One Marking Period Almost Finished.

As the first marking period of 2010 is nearing a close, I cannot help but reflect on how the year has so far transpired.

New Textbooks: I was fortunate enough this year to receive new textbooks for my science class. Our middle school has decided to teach 8th graders the HSCE Essentials for the Physics and Chemistry units. After reviewing science books, Holt Science and Technology "Short Course" books are what was settle upon. While they have a slightly higher reading level than our old text, the support material is very nice.

Working with the Macomb Curriculum: This is the first full year that we have had with this new curriculum for the middle school ELA. Last year we moved to it part way through the year. Now after having some experience with it, I think I am going to enjoy it. The novels we cover (Bad Boy, The Westing Game, and Glory Road) are found to be of high intereset to our students. This alone, makes the curriculum worth while.

A New Course to Teach: This year we offered an 8th grade computer applications course. I was offered this course due to the experience I've had with the Ed Tech courses and other clinics I've attended. I have to say that it is a challenge developing your own curriculum, but once you get going, it is a lot of fun. I have focused on utilizing Web 2.0 technologies in the course. In doing this, I have tried to merge them with the standard productivity suite. We have OpenOffice, a suite that tries to be MSOffice, but fails...miserably in my opinion. So far, this seems to grab the students' attention and they have turned in some wonderful projects. All the while, using MOODLE to make the class as paperless as possible!

Overall, this is shaping up to be a very fun year. I am enjoying what I am teaching and the research to stay ahead of my students is keeping me very busy. If anyone has any suggestions about any projects that I can use for any of the classes, or resources I can tap into, I would love ot hear from you. To my fellow teachers out there, I hope your school year moves smoothly as you reach toward that summer nirvana that is MONTHS away. Good luck and enjoy the year.