I have been following for a week or more an “intense” discussion that appears to span several different listservs and blog sites concerning the damage that can be done by student blogs.
For example, Diana Clarke offers the following comment on WWWEDU
I encourage every responsible blogging educator on this list to go NOW to xanga.com and myspace.com and run a search for their local high school or middle school to learn how students are already using blogs. This is the image of blogging that many adults have in some schools. Blogging means bullying or violence and leads to suicide or attempted suicide in some cases. Newspapers are beginning to report on this with greater frequency.
Also, see a typical news piece from the Star Telegram on the topic.
This is good advice and I must say we have been concerned because we have children too and we know adolescents and young adults use these sites.
I think Diana’s point (I have the advantage of reading the entire post) is not that educational blogs are bad, but parents are very concerned when an educators takes the plunge and involves students in blogging because of what she describes as the public image of blogs. Maybe so. Perhaps it would even be fair to say that some citizens have a similar view of the Internet in general.
So are teachers asking for some calls from parents should they take the plunge and initiate a classroom blogging project? Sure. What would I suggest the teacher say to these parents?
– Help parents understand the distinction between blogs as they will be used in the classroom and some of the blogs parents are concerned about.
a) The sites that concern parents will exist whether or not the class blogs. Students are aware of these sites and pass this information among themselves.
b) The school blocks access to thess sites (I am guessing here).
c) Students will access such sites outside of the school. As a parent you also need to be aware that such sites exist.
d) Someone needs to talk with students about such issues. Teachers who make use of blogs will take the opportunity of such activities to discuss related issues. Educators will take some responsibility for discussing Internet safety and Internet abuse.
e) Parents must also educate themselves and address such issues. Abuses are most likely to occur through use outside of the school.
Schools may consider use of a protected blog environment such as
Landmark Project Blogmeister.
I am not certain what I think of all the concerns raised by the “lawyer types.” Some concern (I would prefer to use the term “awareness”) is necessary. Those of us who prepare teachers directly or through our written products make what I think is a reasonable effort to do this. It really comes down to issues of time and focus. How much time should be devoted to “concerns” in contrast to opportunities? Those whose expertise is in identifying concerns also need to take some responsibility for evaluating the impact of their tone and the consequences their message. More time devoted to the study of legal issues can mean less time devoted to pedagogical issues. So, the endless discussion of legal issues is OK as a method of exploration, but what we need are the experts in the fields focused on such concerns to prioritize. We need a little more risk assessment and a little less hypothetical thinking.
I think it would be extremely sad if educators back away from productive opportunities because of things that might theoretically go wrong. Teachers need a reasonable awareness of potential dangers and should take reasonable precautions. So should parents. I am on the side of everyone taking a little more responsibility. Teachers and administrators need to do this, but so do parents and students. The real world is out there whether you like it or not. Students already take it on during their “free time.” Sooner or later, they will be living in it without your guidance.
Some suggestions from Bud The Teacher.
