Blog 10: What is Cyberbullying

Bulling has been a problem for many years and it only became worse when social media became a cornerstone in almost every teenagers life. Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Cyberbullying can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reach a kid even when he or she is alone. It can happen any time of the day or night. Cyberbullying messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source. Deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent. There are a lot of effects that come from Cyberbulling both physically and mentally. Kids who are cyberbullied are more likely to use alcohol and drugs, skip school, experience in-person bullying, are unwilling to attend school, receive poor grades, have lower self-esteem, and have more health problems. There several more serious issues that were not mention in the article are cyberbullied victims do that’s not good either.

Reflection in my classroom

Cyberbulling is wrong and it needs to stop. One thing I feel our youth need to to teach kids that silence, when others are being hurt, is not acceptable. If they don’t allow the cyberbullies to use them to embarrass or torment others, cyberbullying will quickly stop.  We also need several kids to know that its not that bad that they need to hurt themselves or even worse take their life. One of the problems with our youth is that they need to know things now won’t last forever. Parents need to teach kids to respect other beliefs when they don’t agree with their fellow persons beliefs. I don’t agree with several things that some of my peers that I don’t agree with, but I still love them. An example is I am a Christian and there are things that I believe is wrong that my friends do , but I still love them and I am not going to attack them on it and they don’t do that to me either. I will not tolerate this in my classroom and I will follow the guidelines strictly.

Blog 9: Researcher links kids' computer use with test scores, behavior

A University of Maryland researcher recently said that parent shouldn’t worry if their kids spending time on the computer because its ok. They released a study on Wednesday that focused on hours on the computer with test scores and behavior and they came with a conclusion. The result was there was little sign of harm for children ages 6 to 12 as they increased their screen time over a six-year period and that includes games. Here is where this study gets interesting due to it really beneficial to girls and African American boys. The results showed that African American boys reading scores improved by four points. Girls' test scores for reading and math notched upward by a point and white girls were less likely to be withdrawn as they played more on the computer. Only white boys showed a decline in test scores, but it was statistically significant.

The greatest thing in the study was the rise of social networking among teens, were in time spent playing computer games. But computer use overall involves problem-solving. Here is what the study pointed out that too much just random surfing isn't necessarily good, but, playing games and studying are more focused and they have a positive effect.

Reflection in my classroom

Well when I read this article I was very surprised on the results that came from it.  So this study says it’s ok to play games and spend as much time on the computer? This can’t be right, but when I read the article and saw all of this research that proved it. I was surprise that it was beneficial to girls test scores for reading and math notched upward by a point and African American boys scores were improved by four points.  I was also surprised that white boys showed a decline in test scores, but it was statistically significant. Overall I take this with a grain of Salt and its every parent choice on what they limit the web time.

Entry 5: The Samurai: Armor

On March 26, 2014 we went on a field trip to the Kimbell Art Museum and visited The Samurai: Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection. This was a unique experience for me because this is the first time I can enhance the learning of the Japanese culture in a way I have never done before. The students enjoyed it because we were able to travel back in time and discover the life of the Japanese samurai warriors through the exhibit. The great thing is that there is over 140 remarkable objects in the collection and different time period.  One student loved how all the armor had different designs and they were walking art pieces.  The collection features armor used by samurai from the military elite led by the shoguns, or warlords, of Japan from the 12th through 19th centuries.

            Once the students visited the exhibition they were able to see the distinctive appearance and equipment of the samurai through the centuries and examine the warrior’s history through works of consummate craftsmanship and exquisite design. One highlight is the exhibition includes beautifully designed accoutrements used for both battle and ceremonies.  Japanese armor is striking, refined, and highly functional and has evolved through the centuries. Students found it intriguing that the suits were made to fight in war, but also to honor the warriors of the past and later it became a way to show off.  I even learned something from this exhibit about what the armor consist of. Samurai armor consists of a helmet, mask, and chest armor paired with shoulder guards, sleeves, a skirt, thigh protection, and shin guards.  

            After we finished the first exhibit we looked at several arts painting and from the era as well.  I think what made the exhibit even cooler was the Acoustiguide Audio tour that came with it. It was cool to hear the owners talk about some of the pieces and the museum adding more to some pieces as well. They even made it Kid friendly by having part of it with a brother and sister, from Japan, who are visiting the tour as well with a ancient ghost Samurai. Over all the exhibit was worth it because as we finish it added another layer to the knowledge to the students view of Samurais. 

                                                                In regards Mr. Vega