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Scenario Responses: Elementary Language Arts Blog
 * As a group, outline on your wiki how you would advise your students to respond in this situation. Use the discussion page to collaborate with your group.
 * Review the responses to scenarios created by the other groups.

For about two months 4th grade students have been blogging with each other, parents that are affiliated with the classroom and their teacher about their writing projects. In addition to their comments the students have only provided their first name and first letter of their last name (e.g., Kayla F., Joseph R.). One of the students received a comment from an unknown source/blogger who claims to be conducting educational research. The student asked his teacher what to do.
 * Situation **

= Teacher Recommendations =

Before advising on how to respond to a stranger or even starting a project such as this, a well-thought-out plan should first be considered.

I. Online policies: > II. Application: Select an online forum which most protects the privacy and security of your students, e.g. Is comment approval available? How does the application filter participants?
 * 1) Consider the purpose of the project and the requirements for communication.
 * 2) Review and plan to share your district and classroom online safety policies before initiating any project which necessitates external communication.
 * 3) Determine what the school and district requires regarding online parent approval, and if necessary, secure permission slips from parents which explains the purpose of online communication, safety measures, and enlists their support.

III. Instruction and assessment: > IV. Monitoring:
 * 1) Instruct the students on the communication policy, including specifics to online safety.
 * 2) Check for understanding via an online safety game such as (or similar to)- Cyber Sense & Nonsense and post a brief list summary of the policy in open view during the assignment.
 * 3) Role play the process with student participants.
 * 1) Test online application to make sure comments are being received.
 * 2) Enlist parent support when possible as an added measure.

V. Communication 1 Periodically send information home to the parents to gather data on how they feel the project is going so far. Often times a tiny bit of diplomacy can go a long way towards your goal especially if the parents feel they are part of the decision process. 2. Address the concerns that parents might have with the students to reiterate the importance of communication and internet safety.