Journal 6: Don't Feed the Trolls

Richardson, K. W. (2008, May). Don't Feed the Trolls. Learning and Leading with Technology, 35, Retrieved August 7, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=May_No_7_&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=3972&ContentID=20817&DirectListComboInd=D

Don't Feed the Trolls is an article on how to use a blog to teach civil discourse. Student should be taught the basic guidelines on how to behave in online settings and one general rule for online discourse is do not personally attack some one. Some other basic guidelines this article went over; use ‘I’ statements to make it clear that you are speaking for yourself, don’t use name calling, avoid labeling groups of people, discuss ideas-not people, don’t respond to provocations, stay on topic, be willing to really listen to points of view that are different from your own, recognizing that others are allowed to have opinions different from yours, realize that what you say and what others thinks you said may be two different things, if there is a misunderstanding, try to clarify your position. But, even with these guidelines, simply letting your students know about them is not enough to enforce these values. Teachers should provide examples of proper discourse not just in online settings, but also in day-to-day, face-to-face settings. Also, self-monitoring should be promoted by encouraging student reflection. Before publishing something in a blog students should think, “If you think you shouldn’t do something, then you probably shouldn’t.” Blog’s that are incorporated into a curriculum provide good opportunities at evaluating and engaging in civil discourse. They can help reinforce the notion that people might not always agree on a subject – but if they do disagree they do so civilly.

What is a troll and how should you deal with one?
A troll is a person who posts rude or offensive messages on the internet, such as in an online forum, to disrupt discussion or upset its participants. The best thing you can do when dealing with a troll is to just ignore them. Responding to their comments only adds fuel to the fire.

Why is public discourse so important?
Public discourse is important, because it is the foundation of democratic society. People who practice good public discourse are better equipped to function as active members of their communities because they will know how to converse with a wide array of people with varying views.