Communication About Technology & Media

RMS staff have been working hard over the course of the past several months to give students and parents the information and skills that they will need to successfully learn in a time of transformative education.  

Philosophically, RMS is committed to teaching all students to appropriately use media and technology – indeed, one of the most important 21st Century learning skills.

Parent Workshop to Navigate the iPad

In October, RMS Library Media Specialist, Laura Abbene, and Guidance Counselor, Liz McBain, offered a parent workshop about how to navigate the iPad. Additionally, management tips for use at home were presented and discussed.

• Check out the notes from this presentation

• Following this workshop, Laura located this amazing resource from Common Sense Media that gives “Family Tips” on topics ranging from online security to privacy to safe online talk to cyberbullying, safe searches, and more.

• WHY ARE THESE TIPS FOR FAMILIES SO GREAT?
• Specific by topic/grade-level
• Short
• User-friendly
• Each tip sheet has the following sections: “What’s the Issue?”, “Why Does it Matter?”, “What Families Can Do”, and “Sources” (www.commonsensemedia.org). 
  
  

Where Do Students Receive Instructions About Media & Technology?

1.Computer Literacy class

2. Conversations with a computer lab supervisor

3. Direct instruction from a regular education teacher

4. Guidance & Health class

5. Guest speakers

6. Morning Meeting

Guest Speakers at RMS

WISE Director of Training and Education, Kate Rohdenburg directed workshops for seventh grade students last June, and during the same week hosted a well-attended forum for parents of adolescents on communication around media. Subsequently, each fall 8th grade students participate in a workshop during health class that is about communication in healthy relationships (in person and online) that Chelsea Williamson of WISE presents.

We are pleased to announce two upcoming speakers during second quarter:

1. Becky Munsterer, Associate Director of Admission at Dartmouth, will speak to the 8th grade on Wednesday, 11/13, during morning meeting, on digital footprints.
2. In December, Professor William Kelley of the Psychology Department at Dartmouth, will speak on the topic of gaming and self-regulation.

Continue the Conversations at Home

Our teachers, administrators, and Technology Committee are working collaboratively to support innovation in education, develop responsible citizens, and to promote strong media literacy skills for all of our students. We encourage you to continue this conversation at home and contact RMS for support as needed!