Bud, Not Buddy Webquest

Web Presence Progress

I have been working on my web presence. I spent a lot of time yesterday working on it. It is a webquest that will take place over 4 days and has to do with a novel that we read in class. What are your thoughts?

http://budnotbuddywinther.weebly.com/index.html

Classroom Internet and Safety Policy

Ms. Winther’s Classroom

Internet and Safety Policy

Introduction

As a student in my classroom, you will be using the Internet as a constant learning tool. The Internet is vast highway of resources for the classroom. The Internet is a powerful tool that is used in the classroom to fuel and promote educational experiences. As an Internet user in my classroom you will be required to follow specific guidelines and rules when using the Internet.

Guidelines/Rules

1. Plagiarism: Obey the rules of copyright. You will not plagiarize (take) work you find on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were one's own. Be sure to always use proper citations.

· Use creative commons to find appropriate sources

· Seek permission if possible

· Example of bad use: Went to a website and copy and pasted information into a project or paper without summarizing or citing.

· Example of good use: Went to a valid website and found appropriate information. Paraphrased and summarized information into own words and then used noodlebib.com to properly create a citation.

2. Personal Use: You are able to use personal email to send information to and from school for educational purposes only. There is no use of facebook, myspace, or other social networking sites. Rule of thumb, when accessing websites do not go over 4 clicks away from the original site.

· Example of bad use: went on facebook, myspace, photobooth, and opened games during class or on any computer during the school day.

· Example of good use: opened up your email to email yourself the report you did not finish in Language Arts class.

3. Appropriate Behavior: when blogging, accessing sites, or collaborating online with classmates, always use appropriate language and behavior (no cyber bullying, vulgar, rude or threatening language).

· Example of bad use: commenting on someone’s blog with inappropriate language, use threatening behavior, commenting in a rude or unprofessional manner. “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

· Example of good use: commenting on someone’s blog in a professional manner (good spelling, appropriate language, etc.)

4. Personal Information: Do not give out any personal information when on the Internet (blogs, email, etc.). This would include email address, name, address, school name, school address, etc.

· Example of bad use: went onto a public blog and posted something personal about yourself (email, name, address).

· Example of good use: remained anonymous on the Internet when commenting and reading blogs.

As an Internet User in my classroom you adhere to these rules for our classroom Internet and Safety Policy. By adhering to this, you understand that if you break rule consequences will be enforced.

Student Signature _______________________

Consequences

· Breaking a rule – student conference and follow appropriate consequences outlined in student handbook.

· Further infractions – Students/parents/teacher/administrator conference. Students will lose privileges to accessing certain Internet sites, activities, etc.

Response #4

Topic: What does an "Internet Safety and Security" policy need to look like in your classroom?
Think about:
1. how your students will use the Web
2. the Standards (above)
3. your type of Web access
4. your building/district AUP
5. the grade level of your students

The "Internet Safety and Security" policy in my classroom will need to be very specific, easy to follow, and strict. Since I am a 6th grade teacher, in a district that allows access to many internet sites, it will be important to lay out concise guidelines for my students. Through the exploration of this week's online classes, I have learned many things that need to be included in my policy. The first item is something that I feel very strongly about.

#1. EXAMPLES - Included in my policy will be examples of acceptable and unacceptable behavior. It will be important to not only have the policies outlined, but to have an example of what breaking that rule/policy looks like.

#2. Plagiarism - Students must cite sources properly. Students in my classroom have been practicing this using Noodlebib - http://www.noodletools.com/, but this should be something started from the very beginning of the year. This is something very important for middle school students, since many classrooms complete research type projects. The students need to understand what plagiarism is, how to avoid it, and how to properly use other people's information (i.e. cite sources).

#3. Personal Usage - Students will not be allowed to use the internet for personal usage. Students love to go on to photobooth, open games, etc. in middle school. This will not be allowed in my classroom, unless it is for a project. Furthermore, sites like facebook, myspace, etc. will not be allowed to be accessed (I don't think you can get to them anyway). However, personal email will be allowed to be used to email projects, papers, assignments. My students use their emails all the time to email themselves a paper that they are working on. It is very helpful!

#4. Blogging - Since I plan to incorporate blogging into my future lessons and classroom, it will be important for students to understand not to give out personal information and to use appropriate behavior when accessing blogs.

As you can see, my Internet Policy will be designed specifically for my classroom and the usage. Students in middle school can be a tricky bunch that need structure.