Panther World Cultures

What we’ve learned about this week has been two-fold.  The main objective has been to understand what cyber bullying is and how we can protect ourselves and other from it.

Cyber bullying is not a passing trend.  As more and more young people gain access to technology, bullying has grown far beyond the hallways, classrooms, buses, and playgrounds at school.  Now, mean-spirited jokes, comments, pokes and prods can be sent into any home or phone carrying pocket… at any time.   There’s a saying that kids can be cruel.  It’s true.  They know it, and we do as well.

So, we need to protect ourselves and to not partake in the bullying.  Nothing gets better if we simply retaliate.  Some tips:

1. ignore the first offense

2. don’t respond, ever

3. save proof

4. block/unfriend the bully

5. tell someone who can handle the situation appropriately

6. educate yourselves and others

The second part of our learning this week has dealt with a unique presentation software called “Prezi.”  Each student in my classes now has an account, and you should have them show you what they are learning.  Future projects and assignments in any class could benefit from this fun and useful tool.  Some of our students took what we’ve learned about cyber bullying and turned it into really fantastic Prezi presentations!

Have a wonderful day and weekend!

Check out these neat videos! Tell me what you think. Ask questions. Get inspired! It’s going to be fun!

Here is the first video link:

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This is the second video link:

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You can never be too safe when it comes to protecting your identity and personal information when you’re online.  Whatever you do is always there… even if you think you’ve deleted something, it is still available from any servers the information has passed through.  This goes for cell phones (think text messages, digital phone calls, pictures, videos, etc), as well.

Serious stuff!  Anything you’ve ever done online or through a cell phone is accessible to people like investigators, law enforcement, and worse… criminal hackers who want your identity and credit!

For students, we need to be aware of ways to protect you from child predators.   They will take advantage of your trust and inexperience when you strike up a conversation… and you will never really know who is on the other computer.  It’s dangerous and you may not find out until it is unsafe and too late.  So, be very wary and play it safe at all times!

Think of ways to stay safe and leave me a comment.  Have questions?  Leave me a comment!  Have fears?  Leave me a COMMENT!

Peace!

Hey! It’s a new year and there will be many fun things to do as Computer Applications and Web Mastering students!

Web students are taking a high school level class for high school credit. It is important to remember that what happens for high school credit goes on the student’s high school record. So, we’ll work hard to make great things happen!

Computer Apps students will be gaining skills that will be necessary for all manners of assignments and projects in education. Think of the skills needed to type papers, create presentations, deliver communications, and much more. We’ll be having a blast!