Entry 5

Dear parents,

With technology consistently improving and entering our homes we find our children playing with the newest gadgets.  The question is raised, how much is too much?  We find our children spending more time on the computer then they do outside.  Well, recent research performed by Sandra L. Hofferth shows that increased screen time actually helps our children academically.  The children experience more reading, problem solving, and communication then previously expected.  Personally I believe their should be equilibrium between being on the computer and being outside, it's nice to know that the increased screen time is not hurting our children academically.

Any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

Mr. Patton

Entry 4

Dear students and parents,

           I wanted to share this informative article regarding cyber bullying. I encourage everyone to take the time to thoroughly read this article.  Cyber bullying is an increasing problem and needs to be addressed.  Having a thorough knowledge on the topic and taking the proper steps cyber bullying can be prevented.  Any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact me.


Mr. Patton

Article Ten

www.stopbullying.gov provided an in depth article explaining cyber bullying.  Cyber bullying is a type of bullying that occurs through electronics such as text messages, emails, and the internet.  Although cyber bullying eliminates physical abuse it can affect kids severely in other areas.  With cyber bullying we see children being bullied 24/7, even when they are alone.  Offensive messages, rumors, and pictures can be spread to a wide audience very quickly.  In many cases these messages, rumors, and picture are hard to delete and find the source from which they came.  It is important that children, parents, and teachers are aware of the severity cyber bullying presents so they can prevent it from occurring.

Cyber bullying is a serious issue that should consistently be addressed.  Children, parents, and teachers should be aware of the effects that it has on children. Knowing how to prevent cyber bullying is very important.  Adolescences' communication through technology should be monitored until they are at an appropriate and matured age.

Article Nine

Sandra L. Hofferth, a family science professor and director of the Maryland Population Research Center, made a positive connection with computer use and test scores.  Hofferth claimed increased screen time resulted in more reading, communication, and problem solving.  Hofferth also concluded that playing video games resulted in more reading, problem solving, and communication.  Surfing the web did not increase these skills.  Mimsy Pangilian, a mother of two, made an interesting comment on the research.  "It's a relief that it's not harming them academically, but that's only part of the picture, they never have an opportunity to be bored, or know what their own thoughts are, because there's not much time to be introspective."


I found the research on adolescence computer time and their test scores to be intriguing.  Hofferth made several good arguments, such as the increased amounts of reading, problem solving, and communication skill that take place during computer time.  But a mother also made a good point regarding the children not having time to be introspective and not being able to truly know their own thoughts.  Like with most things their needs to be equilibrium.  It is good to know that increased computer time is not hurting our children academically.  But to much computer time wont give the children time to find out who they are.