July 2010 Electronic School eZine
July 2010
In this month's Electronic School:
1. TLN Benchmarking Survey Results
2. T+L 2010
3. TLN Cyberbullying Webinar Series
4. Twenty to Watch - Nominate Somone Special
5. Digital School Districts Survey Honors Districts Use of Technology
TLN BENCHMARKING SURVEY RESULTS
Recently the Technology Leadership Network sent surveys to approximately 1,000 school districts. The districts were both TLN and non-TLN districts. In this issue of Electronic School we will share the results with you. Some of you that participated in the survey have already received a copy. Benchmarking reports like this are just one benefit of belonging to the TLN program. As you will see in the results, TLN districts are among the most forward-looking districts.
TLN districts are more likely to have one-to-one programs, allow students to bring their own computing devices into the classroom, use smart phones in the classroom, provide internet access on buses, conduct “paperless” school board meetings, and have an educational presence on Facebook. So where do you fit in the continuum? How does your district compare?
T+L 2010
T+L is NSBA’s technology and learning conference for district leadership teams. With a full array of programming focused on the issues your district faces every day, you’ll find sessions that will help each member of your team become more effective leaders. Bring a team of 8 or more and receive the lowest registration rate.
T+L is designed to expose you to the ideas and tools that can help you shape a new vision for learning in your district. Through networking opportunities, issue-oriented discussions, and a keen focus on the six essential topics that impact the delivery of a 21st century education, you will be equipped to lead innovation efforts that can improve operations, enhance communications, and support increased student achievement.
Learn more about T+L!
TLN Cyberbullying Webinar Series
Cyberbullying continues to be an ever-growing challenge for local school districts. The following information demonstrates the depth of the problem:
over 40% of all teenagers with Internet access have reported being bullied online.
The National Crime Prevention Center study found that only 10% of those kids who were bullied told their parents about the incident, and that only 18% of the cases were reported to a local or national law enforcement agency.
Only 15% of parents are “in the know” about their kids’ social networking habits, and how these behaviors can lead to cyberbullying.
58% of 4th through 8th graders reported having mean or cruel things said to them online. 53% said that they have said mean or hurtful things to others while online. 42% of those studied said that they had been “bullied online”, but almost 60% have never told their parents about the incident.
Cell phone cameras and digital cameras are a growing problem in the cyberbullying world. A recent survey found that 10% of 770 young people
surveyed were made to feel “threatened, embarrassed or uncomfortable” by a photo taken of them using a cell-phone camera.
Statistics provided by the National Crime Prevention Center . . .
Join us for a series of webinars designed to increase your awareness of the problem, the impact it has on students and school climate, the policy implications and how the laws around this issue could impact the decisions you make.
Title: Cyberbullying Part 1: Is your district prepared to respond?
Understanding the Problem
Date: Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Time: 3:00-4:00 PM EDT
Description:
For middle and high school teens, e-mailing, IM-ing, text messaging, chatting and blogging are a vital means of self-expression and social engagement. Reports, however, indicate that some teens are misusing these technologies to bully and incite violence. Their targets could experience loneliness, depression, poor academic achievement, truancy and even suicide. Sometimes adults are unaware of the bullying and schools are often unsure how to respond. Many teen bystanders are equally unsure how to stop cyberbullying for fear of attracting the perpetrators attention and becoming targets themselves.
This webinar will introduce participants to the unique impact of cyberbullying and the
strategies needed to respond effectively. This is a great opportunity to learn the
skills necessary for the development of comprehensive plans for preventing and
taking action against cyberbullying and social cruelty in online forums.
Presenter: Esther Hurh, Director, Training & Curriculum, Education Division, Anti-
Defamation League
Title: Cyberbullying Part 2: Is your district prepared to respond? The legal and policy perspective.
Date: Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Time: 3:00-4:00 PM EDT
Description:
A. What would your school board do if your board president received a call from the parent of a student who is the target of vicious taunts by other students on You Tube? B. What would you do if the Assistant Principal of your high school was the subject of a vulgar parody on MySpace? Is it the district’s responsibility to preserve his reputation by taking action against the student involved? C. A student in your district confides in a teacher that she has been sent rude emails and texts from several other girls at school. There is no indication as of yet that the messaging is occurring at school. Should your administration take action?
Join Sonja Trainor, NSBA Senior Staff Attorney, for a discussion of the above scenarios, including the school districts response and ultimately how the courts ruled on each decision.
Twenty to Watch - Nominate Somone Special
Each year the National School Boards Association's Technology Leadership Network (TLN) each year recognizes 20 emerging leaders in education technology. These individuals are recognized by TLN for championing technology initiatives that make a difference for students, teachers, school districts, and the greater education technology community. An annual national search identifies individuals who show the creativity and collaboration that embraces technology to enhance learning for students, inspire colleagues, transform operations, and engage communities. Please email Ann Flynn for more information or questions. Nominate someone now! Call for nominations closes August 23, 2010.
Digital School Districts Survey Honors Districts’ Use of Technology
The Center for Digital Education, in partnership with NSBA’s Technology Leadership Network, invites all U.S. public school districts to participate in the 2010 Digital School Districts Survey. The purpose of the survey is to showcase and acknowledge those school districts and boards around the nation that are providing a high level of service to their communities, schools, teachers, students and administrators through use of information technology. A reception honoring the top 10 ranked school boards will be held in conjunction with NSBA’s 2010 T+L Conference. The survey should be submitted online no later than August 6.