Interesting timing on this newly released document from the Minster... I certainly wasn't paying attention the week before the holidays...
http://edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/respect.html
Actually - quite an interesting read. The accompanying letter from the Minister to school boards is an invitation to use the research as a kicking off point to local discussion - so here it goes...
(note: the letter wasn't posted on the public site, but a copy is here)
When I read between the lines, there are some interesting paradoxes in what was said by students, and what was "heard" by adults taking part. For example:
"Students expressed concern that the media focus
on the inappropriate use of technology and that
this can take the focus away from the largely
positive uses."
Immediately following this statement, the summary turns into an anti-bullying flyer??? 
While students seemed to be accentuating that technology can be used as a positive social medium for change, the underlying message from the Ministry seemed to be about anti-bullying.
While I do applaud the effort to engage students in dialogue, there is very little in the way of concrete "next steps" to address the issues identified and move forward. I guess that is where we come in.
Anyone interested in "replying" to the Minister's call for discussion?
Comments
Interesting take, Tim. I included reference to the memo in my January newsletter. I read it from the anti-bullying perspective and took the concept of student ability far surpassing education's ability to stay up with them as between the lines. I liked the flyout comment and the internet "not going away".
I agree totally with your conclusion that next steps weren't really identified. What would be the next step in a community that runs the full range of skills and awareness?
Cyber bullying at the Elementary panel is definitely an isssue. Not sure it's every students' concern.
FYI I'm on Facebook to get pics of family and friends.
I'll happily reply to the Ministry's call for discussion of Next Steps.
Barb
While I'm glad the Minister has engaged students on the issue, there doesn't seem to have been any effort to involve teachers and administrators, which is disappointing. There are certainly enough of us out there who "get it" when it comes to this stuff to be of assistance in helping move forward.
At ECOO, a number of us discussed forming a self-appointed "working group" to review ICT in general (and web 2.0 issues in particular) across the curriculum and try to pull together some type of position paper/report that would be used to try and get the ear of decision makers. The idea was essentially to pull together representative stakeholders (parents, students, business, teachers, admin) into a small focused team to meet online and try and come up with some recommendations. Calling is a "lobby group" doesn't really do the idea justice, but you get the point. Groups like this, ECOO, RCAC, etc. would be key to this, as we would need to have a collective voice to be heard I think.
Anyone interested in helping shape this idea a bit and see where it goes?