Following Newsgroups:
Postings of Interest

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Instructions for this report

Select a POSTING. I have included the original postings followed by my commentary. With the freedom to follow any newsgroups of our choosing, I've included postings from newsgroups I take interest in. I hope you will gain concepts from my work. Spread awareness of these issues that follow. They are important.

Table of Contents:

 

Posting #1

Subject: Re: self-esteem

Date: Mon, 08 Mar 1999 03:16:33 GMT

 

I am currently working with a little boy, who has no self-esteem.

I suggest: Get him on the computer to CHAT. or email, if he's really too shy. but, there's something about chat, the anonymity and the instant feedback that' does wonders for a person's self image.

He can be himself, and have kids respond. He can call himself a code name, live out a fantasty, who knows.... it works and it'll show him that others respond to his personality.

bye for now, Judi h.

 

 

Comment:

I selected this news posting because I thought it reflected a lot about how the internet can be beneficial to kids who need someone to open up to. This reply from Judi h. gives a suggestion to this person who is helping a boy with no self-esteem. Judi suggested that this person introduce the use of chatrooms or email to make it easier for this child to open up and express himself. The anononymity seemed to be a possible solution since the boy would be able to get feedback without revealing his identity. Judi says this boy can use a code or even live out a fantasy.

I think this might be a start for this child to have some interaction, but I question how this boy would make a transition from virtual reality to real life situations. I think the internet gives us possibilities, but we can't believe everything we read. This is where we need to be careful. Children may already be looking at replies in newsgroups and they may be utilizing some ideas that are suggested. Vulnerable people may be desperate and may act to hastily.

There are a lot of things that stem from this very short newsgroup posting. It hits on online therapy, vulnerability to child molestation, the benefits of the internet, cyber identity, etc. I would like to know what one infers from a posting that is much more detailed? Newsgroups are monitored and screened by its hosts, but what if a child received email? It could be scary.

Posting #2

Subject: Re: fining students...and dropouts

Date: Sat, 06 Mar 1999 16:26:48 -0500

 

I have not looked into this recently, but with these heavy fines, wouldn't the dropout rate rise greatly? Many students know that if they take a GED, they can go to Community College & try to get a degree that way. I know students that have done this. Personally, I would have a choice of spending $80 daily on my lack of socks with sandals, or saving money & dropping out. Many community colleges will admit you at sixteen, without a signature from a parent or school counselor. By the time you've been there two years, your class will have graduated high school and you can get a GED. Once that's done, it's only two more years to the end of a four year degree, putting you at graduate level two years before everyone else. Not to mention that they don't give a damn whether or not your shirt is tucked in. Sounds easy to me.

[ http://www.net-link.net/~osiris ]

 

 

Comment:

This was a reply to a newsgroup on colleges that admit 16 year olds to their colleges. I thought this was a very controversial subject because it brings up a lot of issues. Many parents aren't too keen about public schools and they are either switching to private schools, doing home schooling, or having them drop out get their graduation equivalency diploma through testing and then enter a trade school of their interest. I would like to find out where in the country college students are 16 years of age. I think this may work for some kids due to individual differences, but many question whether or not allowing this takes away from the normal developmental opportunities of a student. Is it too early for 16 year olds to engage in environments that go beyond the scope of high school? I think it may give students exposure to some extent. I would think that teenagers would miss out on the social environment that they should be amongst if they attended a college. I think this issue really questions the public school system. What is lacking in the schools? Why aren't the students or parents feeling as if public education is wasting their time? Just a thought.

Posting #3

Subject: Paxil to St-John's Wort.

Date: Sat, 6 Mar 1999 19:15:04 -0400

 

Has anyone changed over from Paxil (or any other SSRI) to St.John's wort? I would like to know what procedures and precautions I should be aware of. Thanks, Kevin

message by "Kevin" I went from Paxil to SJW, unsuccessfully. Make sure your doctor weans you off the Paxil before you switch. The side effects of stopping Paxil can be quite unpleasant. [ Good Luck, Sue ]

 

 

Comment:

I was interested in this exchange because it dealt with anti-depressant medication that I've heard of. There are a lot of anti-depressant medication being prescribed today, but many people are starting to look into natural herbs (organic substances) to replace synthethic substances. St. John's Wort is brought up and Kevin asks if any one knows of any side effects. Sue responds to Kevin by saying that she switched from Paxil to St. John's Wort unsuccessfully. I wonder if Kevin would think that he would react the same way if he switched? It is okay to gather facts about other people's experiences with medication, but everyone is different and everyone reacts differently to medication. I have come across a lot of newsgroup postings in which people are being flamed because they make false assumptions, bad interpretations, or wrong conclusions. The fact is that medical advice can't be used from one person to the next. We need to be under the care of a physician and we need to monitor our own situations. We should always consult our physician if we have questions about our health. I do believe that newsgroups allows us to see what's out there, but we shouldn't use it to make our decisions as far as medication goes.

Posting #4

Subject: Re: Side Effects

Date: 7 Mar 1999 16:17:23 GMT

 

For someone like myself who is considering using anti-depressants, the constant posting of nasty-sounding side-effects frightens me somewhat (and I'm sure lots of others.) I'm sure not everyone, in fact only a few people experience the side-effects that are mentioned. So I'm interested - are there people out there who use anti-depressants and think they are actually worth it? Most posts here seem to disparage drugs like Zoloft and Prozac but not many seem to say they feel better. Forgive me for introducing myself mid paragraph but I've suffered from nasty depression for over three years now and I can't exactly remember what 'feeling good' is like. I'm only 20 years old. Perhaps someone could explain what actually changes!

Is it all worth it or is there nothing I can do?

You have to weigh the detriment of the depression against possible side effects. Scary as some of the side effects may sound, another year of depression is not good for you either, is it? You must also consider the possible _benefits_ of anti-depressants. If they relieve your depression is it not worth risking a few minor side effects? You may take Prozac and have _no_ side effects and feel great. You can never know until you try it - each of us reacts differently to these medications. Most of the SSRI's - Prozac, Zoloft - have minor to no side effects. And except in extremely rare cases, the side effects you do have go away when you stop taking the medication. You are always taking a slight risk when you take any medication whether it is for depression or headache or flu. Some people are allergic to anti-biotics for example. The risk is small though. Finally, when you wonder why you hear so many negative comments about meds in these newsgroups, remember that people who take them and have _no_ side effects rarely have reason to come here. It is those people who have problems who seek out newsgroups to get answers about their side effects. That probably exaggerates the commonality of side effects. I think it is important to know possible the side effects of any medication you take though. Educate yourself.

 

 

 

Comment:

I think this posting is one that I don't come across too often. Bob says to Tom that "It is those people who have problems who seek out newsgroups to get answers about their side effects. That probablly exaggerates the commonality of side effects. I think it is important to know possible side effects of any medication you take though. Eduacate yourself". I think this is so true. We may come across people who have experienced bad side effects, but we often forget about the many others who are taking medication and having successful outcomes. I agree that you can't tell until you actually try them. Another point Bob makes is that a person can either dwell over the scary side effects or endure another dangerous year of depression. I think this is so critical because NOT taking medication can get you into deeper depression and possibly be stuck in it. Education is critical!!!!!

Posting #5

Re: Cell Phones

Date: 1999/03/10

 

I will trade 100 drivers talking on their cell phones while driving for one drunk driver. Give me a break.

Hey, I have a great idea, I'm driving, drinking a coffee, and listening to music, why don't I make a call on my cell phone?

When will the provinces or cities finally going to decide to make it illegal to talk on a cell phone while you are driving and give the law some teeth to inforce it? Talking on a cell phone divides your attention. The road is not a place you should be testing your mental endurance by seeing how many things you can accomplish at once.

 

 

Comment:

I came across this posting and I thought it pertained to Trafffic Psychology. I guess there are a lot of concerned people out there. I see a lof of people on the road using using their cell phones as they drive. I don't think much of it, but when I came across this posting I realized that it really is serious. I think people are still waiting for a tragedy? I haven't heard much about making it illegal to use cell phones driving.

Posting #6

Re: Teaching internet Author: JH

Date: 1999/02/26

 

Use higher level search engines always and teach them how to use boolean phrases properly. Kids need to know how to cut out the irrelevant information quickly or they lose interest.

I plan to teach 6th grade students internet search skills. Does anyone have any helpful hints?

[ http://www.dejanews.com/ ]

[ http://www.itlibrary.com/reference/library/1575212366/ewtoc. ]

[ http://www.locl.net/new.html ]

[ http://www.dogpile.com ]

[ http://www.AllOneSearch.com ]

[ http://www.cbull.com/kids.htm ]

And Jen is absolutely on target...If you learn how to narrow down the search, the results are more useful. Otherwise, you either lose interest, or lose focus!(or get "Hot Pictures of Young Girls" URLS!!!)

The internet is a great resource, if you know how to use it. My kids have learned many things from kids from other cultures. My daughter has greatly improved her Math skills by participating in internet Math groups, not to mention the Japanese web site she has bookmarked. (She REFUSED to believe a 12 year old could work an Algebra problem in less time than she could, now she is even sharing this info with HER Algebra teacher!)

The global news, sites, etc... are so readily available. I wish I had internet access when I was growing up! We had one library, with old books!

[ Good luck, JanH ]

 

 

Comment:

There are many educational points that are brought up in this exchange between teachers. This posting was taken from a k12.teacher.chat newsgroup. Notice how influencial the posting is. I like like to follow these "professional" newsgroups. Those that contain some degree of professionalism. Some of the points are:

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