Dear Parents,
It is with a heavy heart that I write this message today. Our current ELA project, Snapshot, required students to build a video project to demonstrate how the setting of their historical fiction novel influenced the story’s characters, events, and themes.
The students conducted research last week in preparation for creating their videos this week. I chose to use a website, www.animoto.com, for the students to create their videos. The website is offered for free to teachers, so students were using a single account under my name to make their videos.
In class we discussed not only how to use the website, but also the etiquette I expected of my students since all class periods would be under the same account, and since the account is linked to my name specifically. Late last night, I discovered that a student or group of students used the login I provided my classes, and edited some of the videos students were creating, adding vulgar and inappropriate language. New videos were also created, again containing vulgar and inappropriate language.
In light of these recent events, I believe it to be in the best interest of my students to discontinue our project at this time. Instead, students will work in their same book club groups to craft an essay demonstrating their knowledge of how the setting of their book influenced the characters, events, and themes.
I encourage you to talk to your student about proper internet etiquette, or "netiquette". I've listed a couple of websites here that have some good tips and reminders about being responsible online.
Netiquette for Teens Bad Netiquette Stinks
Tips for Proper Netiquette Teaching Netiquette to Kids
Get the Facts: Netiquette Netiquette
It is with a heavy heart that I write this message today. Our current ELA project, Snapshot, required students to build a video project to demonstrate how the setting of their historical fiction novel influenced the story’s characters, events, and themes.
The students conducted research last week in preparation for creating their videos this week. I chose to use a website, www.animoto.com, for the students to create their videos. The website is offered for free to teachers, so students were using a single account under my name to make their videos.
In class we discussed not only how to use the website, but also the etiquette I expected of my students since all class periods would be under the same account, and since the account is linked to my name specifically. Late last night, I discovered that a student or group of students used the login I provided my classes, and edited some of the videos students were creating, adding vulgar and inappropriate language. New videos were also created, again containing vulgar and inappropriate language.
In light of these recent events, I believe it to be in the best interest of my students to discontinue our project at this time. Instead, students will work in their same book club groups to craft an essay demonstrating their knowledge of how the setting of their book influenced the characters, events, and themes.
I encourage you to talk to your student about proper internet etiquette, or "netiquette". I've listed a couple of websites here that have some good tips and reminders about being responsible online.
Netiquette for Teens Bad Netiquette Stinks
Tips for Proper Netiquette Teaching Netiquette to Kids
Get the Facts: Netiquette Netiquette