On Monday 10, 2007 my GK trainers, my fellow monitors and I took a trip to Washington D.C. Our main goal was to visit the News Hour with Jim Lehrer, who help us run NewzCrew.org, and to interview one of their senior correspondents, Ray Suarez.

When we went to the Museum, they broke us into small groups and we all got a special tour of the Museum. The things we saw were really sad but one thing that I really appreciated was learning about the many unknown people who tried hard to save as many Jews as possible. An example was a Japanese diplomat in Germany, who handed out a bunch of visas to Jews so they would not get exterminated.

One of our fantastic guides at the Holocaust museum speaks about the meaning of the remembrance room

We then took the train which looked very beautiful and the bus to get to the News Hour. At the news hour we got another special tour and had the chance to interview Mr. Suarez. I must say, everything about the News Hour was amazing. I had the chance to see how the news was made and I think it is really cool.

Meghan from the Newshour points to the lights above, which when on raise the temperature in the studio by 40 degrees in ten minutes. Watch out for melting makeup...

The students interview Ray about his experience with book writing, reporting on the end of apartheid, and more.

After the News Hour, we visited the Washington mall and had the chance to learn a lot about the Vietnam war. But during our visit to the Vietnam Memorial, there was a statue of three American soldiers, one was African American, that had a strong effect on me. The looks on their faces showed desperation and that brought a lot of things to mind like how do they feel being survivors of the war when so many people died? Do they value life more than others now? What kind of dreams do they have still about the war? These questions still bother me up to this day.

The next day, we went spent time together in front of the White House for a few, then we took the bus back to New York. Washington D.C was great, I learned a lot of important information like the fact that there were groups of Jews who started to fight the Germans back. I also learned that the there are specific people who decide what the top stories are going to be at the News Hour, I always thought that they just went about what happened first to what happened last. Washington to me was a great experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

]]> tag:www.holymeatballs.org,2007://1.821 2007-05-30T06:33:21Z 2007-05-30T17:01:59Z

Global Kids' work online was featured in this Cable in the Classroom article regarding "sites to excite leadership potential in and beyond the classroom.". Digital Leadership for the Real WorldThrough after-school programs and web resources—from youth-led dialogues to virtual worlds—Global...

joyce www.holymeatballs.org Global Kids' work online was featured in this Cable in the Classroom article regarding "sites to excite leadership potential in and beyond the classroom.".

Digital Leadership for the Real World
Through after-school programs and web resources—from youth-led dialogues to virtual worlds—Global Kids’ online leadership director Barry Joseph works to create experiential models with global issues to help develop youth leadership. Here, he gives tips for finding, using, and expanding on digital media for youth-engagement lessons.

What skills are you trying to encourage?
We want youth to be able to learn that education isn’t something that other people give to them, but is something they get to be in charge of. It’s not a burden, but it’s actually something that opens opportunities in their life and can be fun.

What should educators look for in Internet resources for lessons in leadership?
Look for something that truly engages young people—something [they] would want to do if you weren’t there making them do it. At the same time, make sure the thing that is engaging them is truly educational. That means looking at things that are explicitly developed for education and making sure they’re something that a young person would truly be engaged around, and at the same time, considering things that were not created explicitly for educational purposes and seeing how they can be used to teach.

How can educators promote these skills in their everyday lessons?
Give youth opportunities to create things, to work in groups... Create an environment that understands, for example, that with traditional education, if you ask somebody for help while you’re taking a test, that’s called cheating, but in the workplace— or playing a massively multiplayer game— collaboration is the name of the game. Talk about who took on leadership skills, who did not, and what that process was like.

Download the document here.

]]> tag:www.holymeatballs.org,2007://1.687 2007-04-06T16:52:23Z 2007-04-10T16:59:25Z

On April 5th, 2007, thirty Global Kids leaders from five different Online Leadership Programs met each other for the first time at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens for the OLP Symposium. The teens toured the museum, presented...

Barry http://www.globalkids.org/olp/ On April 5th, 2007, thirty Global Kids leaders from five different Online Leadership Programs met each other for the first time at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens for the OLP Symposium. The teens toured the museum, presented the work from their programs, and participated in a panel for a Q&A.

]]> The Playing 4 Keeps program began the day meeting with students and faculty at Parson's school of Design and Technology.

All of the students then met for lunch and then went to the museum. While the machinima students went to work on their final videos, the other programs - Newz Crew, Playing 4 Keeps, the Digital Media Youth Advisory, and GK in Second Life - went on tours of the Museum of the Moving Image, which hosted us for the day.

The students then gathered in the museums to show off the work from their projects.

Newz Crew
Anthony & Naama

Playing 4 Keeps
Syndie and Vladimyr

Digital Media Youth Advisory & Second Life
Haisu and Lucky

Virtual Video Project
Gershon, Angela and Idan

After each program presented all presenters sat for a panel and took questions from the audience.

All 40 photos can be watched in a slideshow.

Tabitha asked the last question of the day - Should we do this again next year? - which all in the audience answered with a resounding "Yes!"

]]> tag:www.holymeatballs.org,2006://1.451 2006-12-20T04:55:13Z 2007-01-11T05:07:29Z

In collaboration with the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Global Kids has launched Newz Crew, a site where teens from around the world engage in rich online dialogues related to current events, public policy issues and digital media. Below is a...

joyce www.holymeatballs.org
Below is a featured discussion from current dialogues happening on the site. Check it out!

This feature is taken from Newz Crew, Group 90: Newz Flash - Telling Tales Out of School, on YouTube.

Do you think students should be allowed to have recording devices or cell phone cameras in class? Why do you think teachers and schools are so concerned about videos from class being posted on the internet?
]]>

Sarac 12:22am Dec 16, 2006 EST What if there is an emergency and you have your cell phone beside you, are you not supposed to use it? That bugs me because at my school the teachers will take away your cell phone if they even so much as see it. I think the teachers are worried that their reputation will be ruined and once they're caught they can't do what they've been doing anymore. TBPrincess 03:14am Dec 16, 2006 EST I think cell phones shouldn't be allowed in class. What people don't seem to remember is that you don't have any rights the moment you walk into the school. I think cell phones shouldn't be allowed because it makes cheating really easy (texting), and they are disruptive. As for in the case of an emergency, your parents can call the school and you can find out through them. The school can contact you through the office. If you're the one in danger, at the begining of each school year you have to fill out a form stating all of your phone numbers and such, so the school can notify your parents. sammyb 12:57pm Dec 17, 2006 EST I have to take my cell phone to school so that i can call my mom and tell her i've reached. But as soon as i do that, i leave it with the front desk and pick it up at the end of the day. I dont think cell phones are necessary for students' survival in school. A lot of it is about popularity and showing off; everyone wants to be the kid who has the latest model of some phone. The flip side to all of that popularity is your phone is likely to be stolen. That's happened a lot of times in schools. bacon n' eggs 02:15pm Dec 17, 2006 EST Do i have my phone with me? yes, i do. and i take it to school do i leave it on at school? no way! thats the basic answer. but i know people cheat and leave them on. i dont agree with them, but thats ok. Christianguy 02:42pm Dec 17, 2006 EST i can see why they would take them to stop cheating but still... I carry my cell phone with me at school all day and never use it. I think you should be allowed to have your cell phone but not have it on. There has to be a better way to stop cheating. hailey101 06:55pm Dec 17, 2006 EST I agree. I don't think cellphones should be allowed on in class. That's dumb. im getting a cellphone for my birthday, but i must learn a lesson in responsability while having it- meaning i must pay for my own minutes... saluti 01:32pm Dec 18, 2006 EST think in most schools mobile phones are prohibited...but students will always use them whether or not they are supposed to. At my school for instance, phones are not allowed but teachers know we have them, and they get used a lot (particularly the recording function)but as soon as a teacher enters,up the sleeves they go. esaldana 09:02am Dec 19, 2006 EST I do think that students should be allowed to have cellphones on school campus because what if there is a school emergency and you need your phone to call your parents or legal guardian. The teachers probably don't like recording of what happens in school because maybe one day a bad word slips and the kid shows it to his boss and gets fired.

]]> tag:www.holymeatballs.org,2006://1.453 2006-11-25T05:11:09Z 2007-01-11T05:58:41Z

In collaboration with the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Global Kids has launched Newz Crew, a site where teens from around the world engage in rich online dialogues related to current events, public policy issues and digital media. Below is a...

joyce www.holymeatballs.org
Below is a featured discussion from current dialogues happening on the site. Check it out!

This feature is taken from Newz Crew, Group 86: Electronic Devices In School.

What do you think about electronic devices being in schools?
]]>

roycee00 08:13pm Nov 16, 2006 EST Many students are protesting to bring their electronic devices, such as cell phones and ipods, to schools with metal detectors. However, those electronic devices could be used for gang violence, interruptions in class, and cheating on tests. Do you think electronic devices should be allowed in schools even though they pose a threat to students' existence in school? Starr *14* 08:26pm Nov 16, 2006 EST i think some electronics should be able to be brought to school such as phones because what happens if you need to get in contact with your parents??? hailey101 08:53pm Nov 16, 2006 EST I think electronic devices should be allowed in school. I think as long as the teachers don't mind you listening to them in class then it doesn't matter. But every teacher is different. Although I don't think that it is the teachers responsibility if the electronic goes missing because it was their choice whether they wanted to bring it to school or not. hill 12:54am Nov 17, 2006 EST Cellphones may be a problem, but mp3 players? How could you cheat with your mp3 player? What are you going to do, record all of the answers and questions of a test onto some cassette, convert it to mp3 format, somehow load it onto your friends mp3 player, and mananage to do that before your friend has class so he/she can look up all the answers beforehand? Seriously. I'd like to know how kids cheat with their mp3 players. Sounds a little ridiculous. Maybe if students read their textbooks out loud onto wavpad and then uploaded it onto their mp3 player BEFORE school the next day it might be possible, but who's going to do that? Besides, teachers aren't going to let you listen to music while doing work. I can understand the no cell phone thing, but no mp3 players? Adding insult to injury if you ask me. hailey101 12:03pm Nov 17, 2006 EST The teachers at our school let us listen to them when we work. But we cant when it is during a lesson, which is completely understandable. The no cellphone issue is just stupid though. I can understand it when you are in class and IM eachother during class but whose fault is it if you dont get the work done? Really all of these rules wouldnt have come into play if teachers didnt see people abusing the powers. Naruto 08:29pm Nov 17, 2006 EST I think they should allow cell phones in the schools for emergency reason!There are some students in the school with medical problem for example there are some students with Asthma that need there phones cause if something happens to them after school and they can't get to a phone in time they are in trouble.This is why students should be allowed to have cell phones in the school. jamaicanbwoy 03:09pm Nov 19, 2006 EST I agree with Hail but no Naruto. If it was an emergency you would not be able to call some 1 because it is an emergency(the). But we should have cell phones. machiavelli 08:07pm Nov 19, 2006 EST I agree that they should allow kids to bring cell phones to school but i kind of understand where the city is coming from by not allowing kids to bring there phones to school because some kids will use it for the wrong reasons like me. Like if some one has a problem with a kid from another gang they will call up one of there people so that after school they could jump that person. TBPrincess 08:35pm Nov 19, 2006 EST I think cell phones should be allowed at schools, but they should be turned off during class. There is no reason for them to be on at that time. If a parent needs to contact you due to an emergency they can call the school. If your parent needs to be contacted the school can call them. As for mp3 players, it's really up to the teacher. However they shouldn't be allowed during tests. You can record all the information that will be on a test and listen to that during your test. It's probably somewhat time consuming, but easier than memorizing information. hailey101 05:04pm Nov 21, 2006 EST Very Well said. I agree 100%. It's not like teachers are encouraging you to bring it. So it's totally your responsibility if it gets lost. But like you said, electronics are definately bought to be used too lol, but there's a time and place for it all to happen. jack0of0spades 11:59am Nov 22, 2006 EST II agree as well about cell phones, but not so much on MP3 players. I see no problem with listening to music during lunch and study halls, but we don't need them in the calssroom. I admit there are times when there's nothing going on but personal work and you wouldn't disturb anyone by listening to music, but you don't learn much if you're never outside of your comfort zone. I mean, even if your'e not tachnically learning anything factual, the action istelf of doing the work trains you, does it not? You learn how to focus on one thing, however stupid it is, and stretch your attention span. You learn self-control. hailey101 06:44pm Nov 23, 2006 EST well in my business class, i get all of my work done and I have nothing left to do. We cant play games, many sites are blocked off. If the teacher doesn't have a problem with us listening, then i think it's fine to bring it. I find it a bit more of a problem, when principals automatically shut down the no electronics. I mean they don't know what our classes are like as in how good the kids are. If i was a teacher and had a great class, that got our work done (my business class), then I would let them because it doesn't seem to affect the work. chino00004 04:17am Nov 24, 2006 EST I feel that cell phones can be used for good or bad. For example, students can use it to call their parents or their friends to fight. Students can use cell phones contact their parents to pick them up after a test or use to cheat on a test with their friends. Which ones would teens really pick? you choose! javier

]]> tag:www.holymeatballs.org,2006://1.287 2006-11-16T05:32:10Z 2006-11-16T05:39:51Z

We were delighted recently to be featured on the podcast MediaSnackers, a wonderful series that focuses on innovative new media producers for a free-form ten minutes or so interview. They describe themselves as "a site/weblog/project/call to action for people interested...

joyce www.holymeatballs.org We were delighted recently to be featured on the podcast MediaSnackers, a wonderful series that focuses on innovative new media producers for a free-form ten minutes or so interview. They describe themselves as "a site/weblog/project/call to action for people interested in how young people consume and create media across the globe." This is a lovely piece that allowed us not just to give an overview of our programs but explore some of the larger implications of our work.

Listen to it here.

]]> tag:www.holymeatballs.org,2006://1.213 2006-10-23T16:52:07Z 2006-10-23T17:01:45Z

In collaboration with the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Global Kids has launched Newz Crew, a site where teens from around the world engage in rich online dialogues related to current events, public policy issues and digital media. Below is a...

joyce www.holymeatballs.org
Below is a featured discussion from current dialogues happening on the site. Check it out!

This feature is taken from Newz Crew, Group 82: MySpace Launches Voter-Registration Plan.

Let us know what you think of this article by leaving comments.
]]>

KGAH725 11:04pm Sep 27, 2006 EST Yes, I think advertising online, or maybe even making it possible to vote through the internet would get more teens to vote. The American people like things that are easy, we like short cuts, which is why we like faster things. If it would be possible to make voting faster and easier, more people/teens would do it. StarvinMarvin 11:18pm Sep 27, 2006 EST It's pretty sad, but probably true that more people would vote if they didn't have to leave their house for 10 minutes to do it. I don't think we're ready to have internet voting though...we can't even pull off counting ballots without controversy anymore, imagine how much people would whine if there was any possibility of hacking or something like that. Smurphy207 08:29am Sep 28, 2006 EST I believe that putting advertising online will help getting young voters. Young people go online all the time and it's where they spend most of their day. I would just keep advertising, because other than that there is really nothing else you can do to get the younger generation to vote. cucumber pie 08:44am Sep 28, 2006 EST I think using Myspace to advertise for voter-registration is a great idea. I use myspace and if I were constantly reminded to vote every day, i would definitly go out and vote on November 7th. I think a good way to get young people out and vote would be to offer them benefits, like extra credit in school, or like a free meal. If there is food there 18 yr olds will be there. kwinter22 08:51am Sep 28, 2006 EST I think more young people will vote if it is advertised more. I would tell people who are old enough to vote, all the benefits of voting, and encourage my friends to watch the news and vote on what they agree with. union89undergrnd 09:03am Sep 28, 2006 EST I think more people will become aware of the voting, but I doubt it will prompt people to go and vote. Morgan 01:46pm Sep 28, 2006 EST If voting was available over the internet, it would make more young people want to vote. With a website as popular as MySpace, young people would be very influenced to vote. SarahSik 02:01pm Sep 28, 2006 EST There are things that could go wrong with this. People could break onto your screen name and vote for you. This could cause a lot of errors and mistakes. spin521 07:57pm Oct 1, 2006 EST I think that this would be a good idea. Now everyone usually has a computer and the world is moving more and more towards a technology-based society. By advertising voting online more young people will vote and by putting registration online more people in general will register.

]]> tag:www.holymeatballs.org,2006://1.186 2006-08-29T01:57:00Z 2006-08-30T07:09:39Z

PBS' ONLINE NEWSHOUR TEAMS WITH GLOBAL KIDS TO REVEAL STUDENT PERSPECTIVES ON THE SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS, FIVE YEARS LATER On Monday, August 28, 2006, the Online NewsHour, the Web site of PBS' The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and Global Kids,...

joyce www.holymeatballs.org PBS' ONLINE NEWSHOUR TEAMS WITH GLOBAL KIDS
TO REVEAL STUDENT PERSPECTIVES
ON THE SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS, FIVE YEARS LATER

On Monday, August 28, 2006, the Online NewsHour, the Web site of PBS' The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and Global Kids, a New York City-based educational organization that educates youth about international issues, will launch "Five Years After - A September 11 Youth Circle" at http://www.newzcrew.org.

Based on the popularity of and respect for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and Newz Crew, a partnership of the Online NewsHour and Global Kids, "Five Years After" is expected to be the premier discussion forum about September 11 for high school students.

The forum will allow high school students to constructively discuss how the attacks of September 11 have affected their lives, their communities and their perspectives on world affairs using background information from the archives of The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.

Students can participate in the September 11 discussions until Monday, September 25, 2006. Adults can view the discussions without registering.

A press release with more information is attached. For more information, please contact Rob Flynn, 703-998-2174, or Anne Bell, 703-998-2175.

The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer is seen five nights a week on more than 315 PBS stations across the country. The program is produced by MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, in association with WETA, Washington, DC and Thirteen/WNET in New York. Funding for The NewsHour is provided by the Archer Daniels Midland Co.; CIT; Pacific Life; BP and The Atlantic Philanthropies, with additional funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers.

]]> tag:www.holymeatballs.org,2006://1.156 2006-08-12T04:52:10Z 2006-08-12T05:12:05Z

In collaboration with the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Global Kids has launched Newz Crew, a site where teens from around the world engage in rich online dialogues related to current events, public policy issues and digital media. Below is a...

joyce www.holymeatballs.org
Below is a featured discussion from current dialogues happening on the site. Check it out!

This feature is taken from Newz Crew, Group 75:Violent Video Games!.]]>

Onex4xJesus	01:58pm Jul 9, 2006 EST
Hey Gerrit. No, violent video games have nothing to do with todays violence amongst teens. Maybe the ones who aren't right in the head are affected though...
Conan the Librarian	02:05pm Jul 9, 2006 EST
I think the violence of the games can affect the kids, but if that is a problem, it should be the parent's job to keep their children from playing them. I mean, the parent has to drive the kid to the store and say it's okay when they buy it.
Conan the Librarian	04:25pm Jul 9, 2006 EST
There are very extreme cases where people ruin their lives because they become addicted to a game. Everquest in the past and World of Warcraft today are the biggest purpetrators (sp) of this. I've heard of people that have lost jobs, wives, or even their lives playing Everquest. In these cases, whose fault do you think it is? Is it the gamers for losing control over their playtime or is it the game industry's fault for making such an addictive product.
canadian13	05:48pm Jul 9, 2006 EST
I don't think violent video games are something to worry about.If they are, then so are violent movies. Nobody seems to be worrying about them.
Henry	05:52pm Jul 9, 2006 EST
I don't think video games should be banned or anything, but I wouldn't surprised if they did have a connection with violence. I mean the army uses video games to desensitize soldiers to killing civilians. They must have some effect on the individual.
canadian13	05:59pm Jul 9, 2006 EST
agreed, but not to the extent where is someone makes u angry u kil them. I mean something has to be seriously wrong with you, with or without video games.
Onex4xJesus	07:52pm Jul 9, 2006 EST
I don't think it's the game industries fault for making 'addictive products'. It's the persons fault. That's just dumb.
Conan the Librarian	09:37pm Jul 9, 2006 EST
I agree as well, but there are people who think it's the manufacturer's fault. To name one, there is a mother whose son killed himself playing Everquest and she formed a society for people that are addicted to video games. If you want to check it out, go to gamersanonymous.blogspot.com
TBPrincess	01:33am Jul 10, 2006 EST
I think that violent video games can really effect a persons behavior, it depends on the person. Just because someone starts imitating what they see on the screen doesn't make them messed up, it just means they're more susceptible to the game then others. I think that parents should check out a game for their kids before they let them play it because some games can be really bad.
zip799	01:44am Jul 10, 2006 EST
there are so many things causing todays youth to become violent. music, movies, television shows, and video games. it isnt just one thing. and like many of you were saying, it is also about the individual. if the person doesnt have their own mind, or the common sense to understand that's not what you do in real life, that's not really anyone's fault, it just happened.

]]> tag:www.holymeatballs.org,2006://1.143 2006-07-24T04:38:53Z 2006-08-03T05:25:48Z

In collaboration with the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Global Kids has launched Newz Crew, a site where teens from around the world engage in rich online dialogues related to current events, public policy issues and digital media. Below is a...

joyce www.holymeatballs.org
Below is a featured discussion from current dialogues happening on the site. Check it out!

This feature is taken from Newz Crew, Group 75: Does Happiness Live in Cyberspace?.

What do you think? Will increased internet use world-wide lead to a sadder planet?
]]>

Shujin no Kumo 04:55pm Jun 7, 2006 EST Hmm...don't think so. If you think about what the world was like before internet was available to the public, I have some reason to believe that it won't become a sadder planet. World gets smaller through the internet. Being cut off from being able to speak to others elsewhere about global topics is possible through the internet. Purely virtual community that will grant "happiness"? Won't happen. We may like to get things faster, shop online, order books and talk to people nations away but I have a feeling that the need for human contact will always remain. The computer's nice but it can't encourage, understand or wipe away a tear. Any other opinions? x turn x around 04:56pm Jun 7, 2006 EST Very well put. It's true, while the internet is a vast expanse of wonderful information and communication, there are downsides to it as well - you're right, a friend through a computer can't provide comfort by anything other than words. I think there will always be a need for human contact, not only physically, but mentally as well. The Fourth Horseman of the Apocolypse 05:04pm Jun 7, 2006 EST Well you gotta think about some local communities especially in America, I'm a foreigner I'm not even really First generation child in America. I was born in Germany, and this town really has distasteful look upon foreigners. So i have about 3 friends. And lots online. None really i can turn to around this town. Internet is great and it helps me. It gives me an outlet. Shujin no Kumo 05:16pm Jun 7, 2006 EST Glad to see that you have the same opinion. It does help people connect and it does help but cyberspace was made for one purpose: to imitate what we already have. x turn x around 05:17pm Jun 7, 2006 EST That's a fair argument, especially from your point of view. I suppose it would be difficult coming from a foreign country - I wouldn't know, I've lived here all my life. That's where having an cyber-life can come in handy, I suppose. I've got online friends, but I'm not really close with many, because I have a social life outside of the Internet that I care about a lot more than I do an Internet social life. But I very much under stand where you're coming from. Shujin no Kumo 05:20pm Jun 7, 2006 EST Great! Because I live in Germany too. The Fourth Horseman of the Apocolypse 05:36pm Jun 7, 2006 EST I currently live in a very dreadful part of America. Known as Kansas... Its horrible here. Cyberspace offers an outlet. leapoffaith 05:58pm Jun 7, 2006 EST I dunno. I think if you're going to say that the internet leads to a sadder world than you have to include all forms of industrialization. Personally I'm a fan of the internet. But there are pros and cons. xskyxlitex 09:28pm Jun 7, 2006 EST The internet is a great source of information, but like the saying too much of a good thing. If one spends alot of time looking at a screen and less time out, it could be detrimental to their social life, their ablity to interact with others. The internet is also dangerous because no body really acts like them selves because their not being seen in person, you can say what you want and put up what you want and no one will know its you. It also takes away from sincarty, most things are said nicer in person than in an email. Henry 09:29pm Jun 7, 2006 EST If you're responsible, then the internet is a great thing. If you're not, then you shouldn't be complaining about it. zip799 10:04pm Jun 7, 2006 EST i love the internet, and would hate it if i didnt have it, but i'd survive. go outside and play! read a book! there are other forms of entertainment. Queen Angel 11:33pm Jun 7, 2006 EST I like the internet, I live out in the forest so it is nice to do connect with other people without having to drive a half hour into town. I think reading a book will always be higher in heart but I like to do Newz Crew and make fan fics and all that stuff. The thing I can't stand is preditors, I've come across a few in my times on the computer and they disgust me.

]]> tag:www.holymeatballs.org,2006://1.141 2006-07-10T05:39:03Z 2006-08-11T05:52:23Z

In collaboration with the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Global Kids has launched Newz Crew, a site where teens from around the world engage in rich online dialogues related to current events, public policy issues and digital media. Below is a...

joyce www.holymeatballs.org
Below is a featured discussion from current dialogues happening on the site. Check it out!

This feature is taken from Newz Crew, Group 73: US School District to Punish Students for Web Postings!.

What do you think? Is the school district overstepping its authority by regulating what students post to the internet away from school? Who should be responsible for teenagers who recklessly use the internet?
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Benji 11:26am May 29, 2006 EST This seems quite like the district is overstepping its authority. I think that what happens outside of school should stay outside of school, especially when actions that should be at your own discretion go on your permanent record... This just doesn't seem...practical. us wolves are right behind you 01:50pm May 29, 2006 EST Some cheek, if it's anybody's job to punish people for pictures of illegal activities it's the polices. This said my school said they'll punish us for wearing our uniform incorrectly outside school... same thing really. lovedose 02:14pm May 29, 2006 EST I think the school district is overstepping its boundary. what ever students want to post on the net is totally their business. the used of laws is getting out of hand and it need to be checked. Marilyn 02:40pm May 29, 2006 EST At my school people talk about taking part all kinds of illegal activities (mostly drinking), during class (out of a teacher's hearing). It seems to me that they should be more concerned with what goes on in school before they start on what you say outside of it. Why are they spending time looking for internet postings? sushiqueen 03:06pm May 29, 2006 EST It's not the schools responsibility for how students use the internet out of school hours. Sure it would be if it was done at school, during school hours, but out of that time, there's no need to monitor their behaviour, its the parents job. AZERT_Resurrected 07:15pm May 29, 2006 EST Exactly the school is not the police. conveyed 04:22am May 30, 2006 EST I think lawmakers are sending contradicting messages on this subject. I think lawmakers are being ambiguous on this issue because musicians and moviemakers make references to elicit activities all the time and they aren't prosecuted for it. Why should the rules not apply for them, but apply for us? Obviously that doesn't make it right or wrong, but to be perfectly honest I don't have much of an opinon on this subject other than if the government wants to enfoce this, it should do it across the board and if it doesn't, it should leave us teenagers alone. Also, if a friend of mine who is the same age as me wanted to post pictures of himself with bottles of beer in his hand and say that he does drink on his profile (I'm talking about myspace) and that sort of thing, we all will pretty much know that he DOES drink, but it is feasible that he's just putting on an act and trying to look like he's breaking the law when he really isn't. Benji 11:41am May 30, 2006 EST Of course. I think that the article said that monitoring a student's presence on the internet would be a stipulation of joining any extra curricular activities. It just doesn't seem relevant, or even productive. us wolves are right behind you 12:53pm May 30, 2006 EST Odd, I suppose the skewed thinking was that it was condoning illegal activities and shouldn't be done. Frankly I think the internet is the one place laws should only play a small part with (missuse to deliver viruses, hackers, child porn etc.) and as such drinking beer or smoking underage shouldn't really be punishable. And of course as you say staging pictures exist. as does photoshop. So you can't really convict people with a couple of pictures off the internet. I don't think interneting is an extra-curricular activity either.

]]> tag:www.holymeatballs.org,2006://1.142 2006-06-28T06:40:34Z 2006-08-11T05:40:35Z

In collaboration with the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Global Kids has launched Newz Crew, a site where teens from around the world engage in rich online dialogues related to current events, public policy issues and digital media. Below is a...

joyce www.holymeatballs.org
Below is a featured discussion from current dialogues happening on the site. Check it out!

This feature is taken from Newz Crew, Group 71: Columbine Computer Game 'Trivialises' School Shootings!.

What do you think? Can a video game be used to promote discussion of a controversial subject?
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XxfroggerxX	04:35pm May 19, 2006 EST
I can't blame the victims' families for being upset about this. I know I would be. Although I know that it wasn't the intention, it seems kind of sick to enjoy yourself while renacting actual people's deaths. It's not just a storyline, it actually happened, and real people died. To me it seems more like they're making such a disturbing event a little too lighthearted.
Henry	05:20pm May 19, 2006 EST
I agree Frogger. The company that made these must have a heart of steel.
zip799	07:17pm May 19, 2006 EST
what kind of person makes a video game based on a school shooting?! school shootings are completely horrible!!!! if you cant feel safe at school where can you?! and grrr... sometimes at school shootings, the murderer isnt old enough to get the death penalty! and shooting kids at school is a reason for someone, anyone, to receive the death penalty! how could they make a video game of something so horrible, and that effected so many people's lives?!!!
uninutshell	09:30pm May 19, 2006 EST
Since when does ethics have anything to do with making money? That is what this boils down to. MONEY MONEY MONEY. As sad as this may seem, the fact that we are debating on this is the reason it was developed, shipped, and sold to so many people.
leapoffaith	09:44pm May 19, 2006 EST
I agree, companies will do anything to make money, even if it hurts others. It's the nature of a consumer society.
Uninutshell	10:03pm May 19, 2006 EST
Yes, this is sad.
leapoffaith	10:17pm May 19, 2006 EST
yes, very. Amazing how much power something so simple as money can have.
Uninutshell	10:40pm May 19, 2006 EST
It runs our world
leapoffaith	11:12pm May 19, 2006 EST
Are you a beatles fan? what's the name of that song... it goes Imagine there's no country it's easy if you try nothing to live or die for under the bloodred sky They say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one someday you will join us when the world is one. I like that song because it makes me think about what the world would be like if there was no controversy.

]]> tag:www.holymeatballs.org,2006://1.106 2006-06-18T17:43:23Z 2007-04-19T04:12:17Z

Saying surfing the web is equivalent to reading a newspaper or talking on the phone, an administrative law judge has suggested that only a reprimand is appropriate as punishment for a city worker accused of failing to heed warnings to...

joyce www.holymeatballs.org Saying surfing the web is equivalent to reading a newspaper or talking on the phone, an administrative law judge has suggested that only a reprimand is appropriate as punishment for a city worker accused of failing to heed warnings to stay off the Internet.

An administrative Law Judge reached this decision in the case of Toquir Choudhri, a 14-year veteran of the Department of Education who had been accused of ignoring supervisors who told him to stop browsing the Internet at work.

The judge wrote, "It should be observed that the Internet has become the modern equivalent of a telephone or a daily newspaper, providing a combination of communication and information that most employees use as frequently in their personal lives as for their work."

You can read the full article here.

Do you think that surfing the web is equivalent to making a phone call or reading the paper at work? Should employers be concerned with how their employees use the internet at work?

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