Journal #6- Don't Feed the Trolls

Richardson, Karen W. (May 2008). Don’t feed the trolls: using blogs to teach civil discourse. Learning and Leading with Technology, Retrieved August 7, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume_35_2007_2008_/MayNo7/L_L_May_2008.htm

Karen Richardson discusses guidelines of civil discourse and the what 'trolls' are. Civil discourse guidelines "vary to some extent, they all share an essential message: personal attacks are never acceptable as part of public discourse in which the goal is to discuss ideas rather than people." (Richardson 13). Richardson goes on to define trolls, who are people that are rude and make offensive comments on the Internet. Trolls are usually found in online discussion forums, their main goal is to disrupt the peace by upsetting people. Timothy Campbell recommends that the best way to deal with trolls is to ignore them. The article also introduces MOOse Crossing, which “is an online interactive learning environment for kids ages 9 to 13, designed to help them learn creative writing and programming skills.” (14). Educators have to incorporate learning tools such the MOOse Crossing, in order to avoid misuse of the internet and the tools it has to offer. As educators, we must be an example to our students with all that we do whether it is online or offline. According to Richardson, using blogs is effective when teachers are teaching about civil discourse. The reason they are more effective is because everything that is written down is available for “review and reflection” which makes the student think more about what they will post onto their blogs.

What lesson plans can be done to help implement guidelines for civil discourse?

Educators can create lesson plans based around the guideline so that students fully understand civil discourse. One of the lesson plans can be grouping students together and having them work on one particular guideline. With each guideline students can provide an example of what is acceptable and what is not, and present it to their peers. Make sure that students follow the guidelines, and have them posted somewhere in the classroom.

How is MOOse Crossing effective in the classroom?

This interactive system gives students the confidence and knowledge on how to be an effective and proper writer. All the guidelines and information students need to know are placed in a fun interactive program that students are more interested in. The MOOse crossing code of conduct encourages students to end all their reflections by saying "If you think maybe you shouldn't do something, you probably shouldn't."