Ideas for a Photo Scavenger Hunt

Here’s a novel idea for a party – a photo scavenger hunt! After all everyone has a camera on his or her phone these days so why not? Need some tips and tricks for getting it all together? Take a look at the step-by-step list on the Photojojo site for some hints on how to pull it all together.

Cyberbullying and Parent Responses

What would you do if you got a call from school saying that your child might be involved in cyberbullying? It is definitely something you should think about because cyberbullying is something that kids often get involved in before they even know what they are doing. An interesting article in Digital Directions looks at how schools are struggling to keep up with all the ramifications and policy issues brought up by a cyberbullying incident, but also the responses of parents. The article reports that some parents support school’s disciplinary actions against students, who studies show are often not stereotypical playground tough guys, but quiet, bright students. But more often, school leaders say parents of cyberbullies either say they want to discipline their children themselves or they dismiss the cyberbullying as harmless joking. Principals report that parents try to talk their way around it. How would you handle it?

Meeting Our Kids Where They Are Digitally – A Teacher’s Perspective

Language Arts teacher Jessica Piper says that, more and more,  she finds herself teaching media literacy to her students. While she likes to use Facebook, Twitter and other social media in her teaching, she realizes the problems involved. As she works with her students on reading and writing, she integrates information on the dangers of over-sharing personal information. Piper says that some of the most common problems her students face come from giving out too much information through Four Square, a cell phone program what lets “friends” know where her students are; the posting of far too many photos, some of which are inappropriate; the posting and sending of personal messages, which should never be confused with public messages. Piper believes that over-sharing often leads to cyberbullying because it offers bullies all the information they need to harass.  She says, “As responsible educators, we have to meet our students where they are and teach what they are lacking...in this day, social media literacy is definitely lacking.”

Don’t Copy That 2

The Education Division of the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) has a new web site aimed at helping educate K-12 students about the ethical and legal use of copyrighted materials, such as software, books, articles, music and movies. Called Don't Copy That 2  it includes a hip rap music video that addresses the dangers of engaging in piracy and the importance of respecting the creative output of others.  While mainly aimed at teachers, it can also be helpful for parents concerned about the issue. Support materials for the video, lesson plans for middle and high school teachers, a glossary, and other resources that can be helpful to parents and educators in confronting these complex and important concepts.

Telephoto Lens for Your iPhone

If you are like me, the camera I rely on most these days is the one attached to my smartphone –in my case, an iPhone. I admit it has it’s limitations but never are the words “I wish I had a camera” uttered ever again. Of course, there are some ways to enhance what your iPhone camera can do and Photojojo, a really interesting site that specializes in clever ways to enhance your photos, is selling a telephoto lens for the iPhone and it looks like a great way to go. Just an FYI for busy parents.

Learn More About Google’s Offerings

Everyone’s talking about Google Docs and how they are useful and economical for schools as well as at home. Google’s place to start you off right provides you with information about creating documents, spreadsheets and presentations online; sharing and collaborating; safely storing and organizing work, and controlling who can see documents. You might want to take some time to experiment with Google collaboration in action by watching the collaboration demo for documents, spreadsheets and drawing. Google also offers videos that may be helpful in learning how to use Google sites and Docs, understanding Google Chrome (web browser), etc. There are Google Webinars as well that you may want to take advantage of.  Check them out at the Google Resource Center.

Download Free eBooks

So you have a smartphone or eBook reader and would like to know where to find some free books to download? Take a look at this list. Free is a great price!

Video Game Addiction Studied

The debate about video game addiction has been kicked off again in part because of the new motion-sensing technologies like the recently announced Avatar Kinect from Microsoft, which one expert says lets people “'suspend disbelief' and immerse themselves cognitively in the environment.” In other words, if the technology becomes interactive enough it can become compellingly addictive. A recent study, done is Hong Kong and Singapore, also has added fuel to the fire finding that nearly ten percent of young video gamers can suffer pathological addiction to their games, although other experts say the issue – the addiction, compulsion or obsession – is likely to remain limited to a small subset of gamers.

An Update on Wikipedia

While many schools still ban the use of Wikipedia as a source for research projects, the latest Pew Internet research shows that percentage of all American adults who use Wikipedia to look for information has increased from 25% in February 2007 to 42% in May 2010. This translates to 53% of adult Internet users. The sometimes-suspect, collaborative encyclopedia is also most popular with those who have at least a college degree. By the way, Wikipedia just had its tenth birthday.

Kids & Technologies: How Student Learn

A fourth grade teacher, knowing of my interest in kids and technologies, advised, “You’ve got to read Rewired by Larry D. Rosen. It explains so much about what those of us in education and parents need to know.” She was right. This book and other resources by Rosen give us a glimpse into the “psychology of technology” so that we will be better able to understand how our kids learn. According to Rosen, the iGeneration, those students born in the 90s, expect “instant access” to information and people.  These are kids who are constantly connected through digital devices and believe that anything is possible. Additional information about Rosen’s books is available on his site and at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.