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Global Classrooms Use Technology to Prep Students for Workforce

A library is no longer a place you go to read," says Jagmeet Sekhon, a political science and commerce student, who uses the new library several times a week for solo work and group projects. "These collaboration rooms are a reflection of what's really out there in the real world,

Teen Safety on the Internet More and more teenagers are logging on to the Internet every day. Although the Internet is a great source for research projects and other information, there are also dangers involved with surfing the Web. For example, a study conducted in 2000 found that 25 percent of kids 10 to 17 years of age received unwanted pornographic material.The Web allows you to be completely anonymous. Someone who says that he is a 15-year-old boy may actually be a 50-year-old man pretending to be a teen for inappropriate reasons. As a result, agreeing to meet in person with someone you met over the Internet is extremely dangerous, as this can result in sexual assault or even murder. How to Stay Safe on the Internet E-mail Safety Chat Rooms Assessing a Web Site Blogging How to Stay Safe on the Internet Never give out personal information, such as your name, home address or phone number, the name of your school, pictures, credit card numbers or the names of your parents without permission from your parents.Do not meet in person with someone you met online. Do not give out your password to anyone.In chat rooms, use a name that is not gender-specific so you are less likely to receive pornographic material or other forms of harassment. If you do receive pornographic material, report it to your local police department. Back to top E-mail Safety

Do not open links or files from people you do not know.Never respond to e-mails with pornographic or other inappropriate material.Do not respond to advertisements -- this confirms that you have a working e-mail account, and you will only receive more junk e-mail.

World Wide Web enables one to access volumes of information, earn graduate degrees on-line, submit mortgage applications, procure countless goods and services, and communicate instantaneously on a global basis. The increased use of technology in education is accompanied by concerns about technology's role in education.

One study by the Center for Applied Special Technology has shown that students with on-line access scored higher in the areas of information management, communication, and the presentation of ideas. According to one article the use of instructional technology offers great promise in helping "students become independent, critical thinkers, able to find information, organize and evaluate it, and then effectively express their new knowledge and ideas in compelling ways" (CAST, 2000).

In the CAST study the results revealed that students using on-line communication became more confident carrying out and presenting a research project over the course of the study.

Cyberbullying

In school ... you don't want anyone to think of you as a "gossip" or someone who says things about other people. Everyone wants to be "nice." You don't have to be nice if you don't want to online. 13 year old girl, Edmonton

There is little doubt that cyberbullying, which can be the equivalent of "social death" for many young people, is traumatic. It differs from traditional, face-to-face bullying in that it is relentless and public and at the same time anonymous. Cyberbullying has turned the usual image of "the bully" on its head; it's no longer only the "tough kids" who may act aggressively – it can just as easily be the shy, quiet types, hidden behind their computers. Added to this is the potential presence of countless, invisible witnesses and/or collaborators to the cyberbullying, which creates a situation where victims are left unsure of who knows, and whom to fear.