Journal 6: Don’t feed The Trolls

Citation: Richardson, Karen W. (May 2008). Don’t feed the trolls: Using blogs to teach civil discourse. Learning and Leading with Technology, Retrieved July 27, 2009, from: http//www.iste.org/Content/Navigationmenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/volume_35_2007_2008_MayNo7/L_L_May_2008.htm

Summary
In this article, the author talks about the use of blogging as a tool that can engage students more in an educational environment in which they have better access to relevant materials online as well as the opportunities to read and comment on the other’s writing. The author also mentions that although blogging is a good collaborative technology in education, there is room for students to spread gossips post uncivil comments or baseless information about a school, or a teacher. Therefore, teachers must help students to understand what appropriate behavior they must have on their online interactions. Students must learn some rules or guidelines to practice civil discourse in order to avoid personal attacks, or “if they think maybe they shouldn’t do something, they probably shouldn’t.”MOOse Crossing is an online interactive learning environment which provides specific guidelines and suggestions such as, don’t use name calling, avoid labeling people, and discussing ideas, not people. Those kinds of guidelines can help students develop their own self- awareness and learn to use civil discourse in both real and virtual environments.

When do blogs act effectively? Blogs are effective when teachers teach students about the benefits of using and posting civil discourse online. Because online interactions let students review or reflect on online conversations both alone and in groups. Students can learn how to handle and to post their agreements or disagreements. In this way they can be more engaged in self- monitoring to have more effective conversations online.

What suggestion would you offer to someone who deals with troll? The best suggestion would be to ignore the person who posts offensive and rude messages on the Internet.