The New York City Department of Education has published a social media guide for students – one for which, very wisely, it got student input. And apparently students were asking for guidance like this. Jane Pook, DOE executive director for digital communication policy and strategy, told the Huffington Post that demand for the guide "came from students." Across the river in New Jersey, teacher … [Read more...] about A student-guided social media guide for students
Archives for January 2014
The benefits of agency, choice, and student-centered learning
"More and more of society at large, and consequently many students, are demanding an educational system that works for and with them," wrote high school math teacher Paul Bogdan in Edutopia (emphasis mine). "A student-centered learning environment encourages students to become independent learners and ultimately to be in charge of their own education." Student-centered learning just makes sense … [Read more...] about The benefits of agency, choice, and student-centered learning
UK children’s ChildLine: Read the coverage carefully
An interesting finding from the UK ChildLine's just-released report: "For the first time in the charity's 28-year history, more counselling took place online (59%) than by telephone (41%)," the BBC reported about the free, 24-hour counseling service for Britons up to age 19. A disturbing finding: "a significant increase in racist bullying.… A common theme was children being called a 'terrorist' or … [Read more...] about UK children’s ChildLine: Read the coverage carefully
How to grow resilience, Part 2
This is the second of two posts about the internal online (and offline) safeguard resilience. Here's Part 1. Another perspective on resilience: this in a TED Talk in Edinburgh in 2012 in which game designer and author Jane McGonigal shares some simple ways people of all ages can build resilience – the four kinds (physical, emotional, social and mental) that science says increase health, … [Read more...] about How to grow resilience, Part 2
The Snapchat New Year’s hack: Fuel for discussion
The hack against Snapchat at the turn of the year appears to have done more awareness-raising than harm, but awareness – on the part of users and their parents as well as startups and young digital media companies – is crucial. The publishing of the screennames and partial phone numbers of 4.6 million users was a "white hat" hack, CNN reported, meaning that it was meant to expose a security … [Read more...] about The Snapchat New Year’s hack: Fuel for discussion