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WORDPPRESS: SOCIAL
MEDIA RESOURCE
PACKAGE
Resources for using Wordpress with Social Studies 11

OVERVIEW
This package includes information about Wordpress,
some suggested uses for Social Studies 11, a FIPPA
compliant permission form to send home to parents, and
a draft letter for a response to an incident such as cyber
bullying.

Irwin Tollefson
OLTD 506, Fall 2016;Professor J. Hengstler

Wordpress Resource Package

Date: October 2016

By Irwin Tollefson

RESOURCE PACKAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS

RESOURCE PACKAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................. 1
About This Social Media Tool ........................................................................................................... 2
Tool Backgrounder ........................................................................................................................... 4
Consent Form ................................................................................................................................... 6
Response to incident letter .............................................................................................................. 9
References ..................................................................................................................................... 11

Created for Vancouver Island University Faculty of Education Course: OLTD 506 Fall 2016 1

Wordpress Resource Package

Date: October 2016

By Irwin Tollefson

About This Social Media Tool

TOOL Name

Wordpress
The school district website hosting our Wordpress accounts is
found here: learn.sd79.bc.ca

TOOL URL

Wordpress website is found here: https://wordpress.com/

Software can be downloaded here: https://wordpress.org/

General Description

Is it Open or Fenced?

Storage External to
Canada?

Accessible External to
Canada?

Name of school/location
where I plan to use this

Is it public or private?

Level?

Particular subject,
class, or course

User groups

Wordpress is a free, open-source, social media tool that allows the

user to publish, via the internet, informal, often diary like text entries
called posts. (Wordpress, 2016) Posts are usually topic-specific
(and will be, in this case) but can be open as the writer may be
commenting on whatever they feel interested in at the time. (Blog
2016)
Wordpress can be used as either open or fenced. In this instance, it
is fenced by School DIsrict #79. My intention is to keep it
completely fenced.
All information is stored within Canada on School District #79
(Cowichan Valley)s private servers.
Information on this server will not be available to the public, only to
students in the class, however, they will be encouraged to share
their work with their parents.
Chemainus Open Learning Centre which is housed in Chemainus
Secondary and part of the Cowichan Valley Open Learning Co-op
(CVOLC) alternate highschool.
It can be both public and private. In this case, it is being used as a
private forum for students in my Social Studies 11 class to build
resources. The school is a public institution.
Secondary
Social Studies 11
Students, with some parent viewing.
FIPPA

Applicable
Legislation/Policies in My School District #79 (Cowichan Valley) standard acceptable internet
Context
use form. Form is found:
https://bcsd79.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/25207?preview=2654
Activity Idea 1

Social Studies is a course where vocabulary knowledge plays a

large part in understanding historical events. I would use the

Created for Vancouver Island University Faculty of Education Course: OLTD 506 Fall 2016 2

Wordpress Resource Package

Date: October 2016

By Irwin Tollefson

wordpress site to allow students to contribute to an ongoing,

constantly building vocabulary list with definitions. Students would
be encouraged to log into the blog and reply to the Vocabulary
Post and in that way they would be able to contribute to the class
vocabulary list. Students not wishing to participate in the online
form of the assignment would be able to submit vocabulary posts
on paper and they could be added to the blog.

Activity Idea 2

Social Studies is a course that is rich in content. Social Studies 11

deals with the historical events of the 20th Century. I would create
blog pages with decades, such as The 1920s or The 1930s or
with major event titles such as World War I or World War II and
the students could bring information that they discover about the
specific pages topic to the page. The additional crosslinking of
information to more than one topic page would also be allowed and
recommended for the students. Students not wishing to participate
in the online form of the assignment would be able to submit
content posts on paper and they could be added to the blog.

Necessary Resources

Wordpress software - already installed and administered by school

district technology staff. Server space - already in place and
administered by school district staff. Wordpress accounts all
students in School District #79 (Cowichan Valley) have pre-existing
wordpress accounts within the district fenced system.

Created for Vancouver Island University Faculty of Education Course: OLTD 506 Fall 2016 3

Wordpress Resource Package

Date: October 2016

By Irwin Tollefson

Tool Backgrounder

Wordpress

What is Wordpress?

Wordpress is a free, open-source, social media tool that allows the user to publish, via the internet,
informal, often diary like text entries called posts. (Wordpress, 2016) Posts are usually topic-specific but
can be open as the writer may be commenting on whatever they feel interested in at the time. (Blog
2016) Wordpress is a free, blog hosting web, service that an individual or group can use to generate text,
video, photographs or any other content and publish it to the internet so that it can be viewed by
readers. This content is published at the creator's discretion and can be updated frequently or
infrequently as the author desires. While the ability to read or comment on blog posts does not require
registration with the service, owning a blog does require registration with Wordpress. Wordpress can
also be used as an open-source content management system, hosted by individuals or companies to be
used by whoever wishes.

Why am I using Wordpress?

Wordpress allows teachers access to tools to help students learn to safely navigate the digital and social
online world. School District #79 (Cowichan Valley) hosts its own instance of wordpress within the
district, allowing a completely fenced area where the students can learn the basics of digital citizenship
within a completely controlled environment safe from the outside. This allows the school district the
ability to securely manage all wordpress accounts, and teacher and student passwords, within the
service. All blogs are private by default and they are only viewable by classmates and the teacher, yet
the student can access their content from home, with the ability to show parents their work. In addition,
students names are not used on their accounts, only student numbers, allowing for another level of
privacy - the service does not require any personal information from the students in any way and
students are forbidden from using any personal information such as name, birthdate, address,
telephone number, or an email address that could be linked back to the individual, including
photographs.
Social media tools, such as Wordpress, can be very effective educational tools as they allow for users to
be anonymous. Because names will not be used for this activity, students will be able to post as they see
fit, without fear of peer pressure or any of the other social issues resulting from in class participation.

Why is BC so sensitive to privacy laws regarding data?

During the early 2000s, the United States enacted a law, The Patriot Act, which allowed them to search
information that was stored on private or public servers as long as those servers were within the United
States. At the time, British Columbia was storing medical information on servers in the US. Organizations
and individuals within BC expressed concern that the United States government was able to look at our
medical records and it was discovered that if you allow your personal information outside of Canada,
Created for Vancouver Island University Faculty of Education Course: OLTD 506 Fall 2016 4

Wordpress Resource Package

Date: October 2016

By Irwin Tollefson

your information is subject to the laws of the country where your information is being held and that
country is allowed to look at your information if its laws allow it as not all countries respect an
individual's privacy. (Hengstler, 2016)

Why is a consent form necessary?

A consent form is necessary because there are risks associated with using a social media tool in a
learning environment and while every attempt has been made to ensure the safety and anonymity of
our students, there is always a potential for information to be posted that could be used to discover the
identity of the student. Even when one believes that they are being anonymous the technology exists to
discover who has created the content. When anyone contributes via social media they have the
responsibility to not only protect your own privacy but one must strive to protect others privacy as if it
were your own.

Risks that could arise:

While no internet-based experience can ever be 100% risk-free, know that every reasonable measure to
manage expected risks has been taken. However, if students participate in harassment of their peers,
criticism of keyboarding skills, spelling, grammar, etc. their privileges will be terminated. All students
have already signed the School District #79 computer use agreement (found here:
https://bcsd79.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/25207?preview=2654 ) and any breach of conduct
as outlined in this document will not be tolerated.

What if I dont want to consent?

You have the right as a parent/guardian to withhold consent to your child using Wordpress. Alternate
activities will be provided to students in the event that parents/caregivers choose to withhold consent
and that the selection of an alternate activity will not affect a students grade.

Further information:

Wordpress home: https://wordpress.com/

Wordpress terms of Service: https://en.wordpress.com/tos/

Should you have any further questions or concerns regarding this activity, please contact me, Irwin
Tollefson, by email at itollefs@sd79.bc.ca or telephone during school hours at 250-246-6614


Created for Vancouver Island University Faculty of Education Course: OLTD 506 Fall 2016 5

Wordpress Resource Package

Date: October 2016

By Irwin Tollefson

Consent Form
Student Name:_____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Technology for Social Studies use: Wordpress at Learn.sd79.bc.ca

Reason for Use: Wordpress allows teachers access to tools to help students learn to safely navigate the
digital and social online world. School District #79 (Cowichan Valley) hosts its own instance of wordpress
within the district, allowing a completely fenced area where the students can learn the basics of digital
citizenship within a completely controlled environment safe from the outside. This allows the school
district the ability to securely manage all wordpress accounts, teacher and student passwords, within
the service. All blogs are private by default and they are only viewable by classmates and the teacher,
yet the student can access their content from home, with the ability to show parents their work. In
addition, students names are not used on their accounts, only student numbers, allowing for another
level of privacy - the service does not require any personal information from the students in any way
and students are forbidden from using any personal information such as name, birthdate, address,
telephone number, or an email address that could be linked back to the individual, including
photographs.
Social media tools, such as Wordpress, can be very effective educational tools as they allow for users to
collaborate to create content specific to the course being studied. Because names will not be used for
this activity, students will be able to post as they see fit, without fear of peer pressure or any of the
other social issues resulting from in class participation. Blogging has become a way that teachers use to
get students reading and writing about the content that they are learning within their classes. Our Social
Studies 11 blog is going to be used for group discussions and the sharing of learning, ideas, information
and resources that focus on social studies related topics. It is an opportunity for students and myself to
collaborate on assignments. Each student will have a blog page to design and contribute to the class
discussions on topics relative to the unit of study as well as they will be expected to contribute to an
ongoing and ever increasing vocabulary section. This page will only be visible to the teacher and
students in our class. Students will be shown log on procedures and discuss acceptable use in our
computer classes. When writing blog posts students will be responding to questions posed by the
teacher and other students. When responding to student blogs, it is expected that students respond to
blog posts with positive and supportive comments. Blogging provides us with a way to extend our
thinking and connect our ideas with all members of the class. Students that post inappropriate or
negative comments will not be allowed to participate. This will help students learn to be good digital
citizens.

A concise definition and description of weblogs and blogging can be found in the short video found here:
https://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/blogs/

SECURITY
Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. A
user must never allow others to use his/her password. Users should also protect their passwords to
ensure system security and their own privileges and ability to continue use of the system.
If you feel you can identify a security problem on our Wordpress you must notify a system
administrator, or your teacher. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Attempts to log on to
Created for Vancouver Island University Faculty of Education Course: OLTD 506 Fall 2016 6

Wordpress Resource Package

Date: October 2016

By Irwin Tollefson

Wordpress as a teacher/administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. The teacher/site

administrator will deny any user identified as a security risk for having a history of problems with other
computer systems access to Wordpress

While no internet-based experience can ever be 100% risk-free, know that every reasonable measure to
manage expected risks has been taken. However, if students participate in harassment of their peers,
criticism of keyboarding skills, spelling, grammar, etc. their privileges will be terminated. All students
have already signed the School District #79 computer use agreement (found here:
https://bcsd79.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/25207?preview=2654 ) and any breach conduct as
outlined in this document will not be tolerated.

What if I dont want to consent?

You have the right as a parent/guardian to withhold consent to your child using Wordpress. Alternate
activities will be provided to students in the event that parents/caregivers choose to withhold consent
and that the selection of an alternate activity will not affect a students grade.

The use of Wordpress for this assignment will be in effect from November 1, 2016 until the end of
semester on January 31, 2017.

Should you have any further questions or concerns regarding this activity, please contact me, Irwin
Tollefson, by email at itollefs@sd79.bc.ca or telephone during school hours at 250-246-6614

Created for Vancouver Island University Faculty of Education Course: OLTD 506 Fall 2016 7

Wordpress Resource Package

Date: October 2016
Student Name:_____________________________

By Irwin Tollefson
Date: ____________________________

I agree that I have read and understood the acceptable use policy of School District No. 79 with respect
to Internet access, and will abide by all of its provisions. In particular, I will be especially aware of policy
restrictions in the use of my account, and will ensure that my account is not used for any of the
following purposes:
- to use the network immoderately or to monopolize its resources
- to place unlawful information on any system, or for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright
- to share accounts with any other person(s)
- to give out user names or passwords without the authority of a System Administrator
- to gain unauthorized access to resources or entities; or to download, transmit, or store computer
programs which are not shareware or freeware.
- to duplicate, store, or transmit pornographic materials
- to flame others or to send sarcastic or abusive e-mail messages
- to harass others with unwanted e-mail messages - to reveal personal information about others
- to reveal anyone elses personal address or phone number
- to repost personal communications without the original authors consent
- to send chain letters
- to invade the privacy of others
- for computer vandalism of any kind
- for business purposes
- for product and/or service advertisement or for political lobbying
- for any purpose whatsoever which undermines either the letter or the spirit of the School District
No.79 Acceptable Use Policy.

I have read the attached Wordpress Backgrounder, and am aware of this activity will involve the use of
Wordpress. I am aware that use of this tool will not require storage or access to personal information
external to Canada. I have read the attached Wordpress Backgrounder detailing potential risks and steps
the teacher will take to mitigate these risks.

I further understand that any violation of the regulations above is unethical and may constitute a
criminal offence. Should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be revoked, school
disciplinary action may be taken, and/or appropriate legal action may be initiated.

By our signatures below we agree to the use of Wordpress for the purposes described:

Applicants Name (please print): _______________________________________

User Signature: ______________________________________ Date:__________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________________
Created for Vancouver Island University Faculty of Education Course: OLTD 506 Fall 2016 8

Wordpress Resource Package

Date: October 2016

By Irwin Tollefson

Response to incident letter

RE: A recent cyber-bullying incident.

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Following a serious incident where pupils in school may have been cyber bullied by their peers, we
would like to bring the importance of keeping children safe online to the whole school community.
Chemainus Open Learning is committed to promoting the safe and responsible use of the Internet and
as such we feel it is our responsibility to raise this particular issue as a concern. Websites such as
Wordpress offer amazing communication and social connections, however they can pose risks to
children and young people such as cyberbullying, gaming, grooming and inappropriate content. e-Safety
is an important part of keeping children safe at Chemainus Open Learning. e-Safety is taught to all pupils
which explains and demonstrates how to stay safe and behave appropriately online but we can only be
successful in keeping children safe online if we work with you. Your help is needed to talk to your
children about how they can keep themselves safe and behave appropriately online. Its important that
we are all vigilant when children are using the internet and act to ensure they are protected from people
who may pose a risk to them. Children can accidentally or deliberately be exposed to illegal, unwanted
or unpleasant content,
comments or activity online and there are steps you can take at home to minimise this risk.

Check that your childs profile is set to private and that only approved and known friends can
see any information that is posted
Closely monitor your childs use and talk to them about safe and appropriate online behaviour
such as not sharing personal information, clicking on unknown links, installing applications and
not posting offensive messages or photos
Make sure your child understands the following rules:
o Always keep your profile private
o Its not a good idea to accept friends you dont know in real life as they could be anyone,
even if they are friend of a friend, they are still a stranger
o Never post anything online which could reveal your identity or anything you wouldnt
want an adult to see
o Only click on links that you trust and always ask an adult if first if you are not sure
o Never agree to meet somebody you only know online without telling a trusted adult
o Always tell an adult you trust if you feel threatened, see something that makes you feel
worried or someone upsets you online

Websites to visit for more information

Created for Vancouver Island University Faculty of Education Course: OLTD 506 Fall 2016 9

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Date: October 2016

By Irwin Tollefson

http://www.childnet.com/ Have your child visit the Young People section to help them understand
proper internet etiquet and as a parent, visit the Parents and Carers section for information on how to
keep your child safe online.

https://www.getsafeonline.org/ Visit this site to get free help to understand how to keep your computer
safe and secure while going on the internet.
http://www.erasebullying.ca/index.php Visit this site for a resource on bullying. It contains information
for parents as well as children on how to recognize and prevent bullying.

https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/index-eng.aspx A Government of Canada website with good
information on how to keep yourself, and your children safe online.


As your childs teacher, I am available to discuss any help you may need or concerns that you may have.
My contact information is:
Irwin Tollefson
itollefs@sd79.bc.ca
250-246-6614 during school hours

As well, our principal, Larry Mattin is also available to discuss any concerns you may have.
His contact information is:

Larry Mattin

lmattin@sd79.bc.ca

250-746-6052 during school hours

If you believe your child is in danger or at risk of criminal offence, you can contact Child Protection
Services in BC at any time of the day or night at 1-800-663-9122. The Ministry of Children and Family
Development, Cowichan office can be reached at 250-746-5521 and the RCMP can be reached by dialing
911 if you suspect someone is in immediate danger.


Yours Sincerely,


Irwin Tollefson

Created for Vancouver Island University Faculty of Education Course: OLTD 506 Fall 2016 10

Wordpress Resource Package

Date: October 2016

By Irwin Tollefson

References
[Include your citations and references. If you have cut/paste or quoted sections of documentation from
your social media tools website (e.g. privacy policy, terms of service, etc.) be sure that you have cited
them and include the references here.]
Blog. (2016). Retrieved October 15, 2016 from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

Hengstler, J. (2016) OLTD 506 brief:Fippa & you. Retrieved from
https://d2l.viu.ca/content/enforced/90675EDUC_OLTD506_W70_F2016/foundations_boundaries/FIPPA_You_OLTD506.pdf?_&d2lSessi
onVal=7ObhpFBMCLGAeTqZh2iKfoouI&ou=90675
Wordpress. (2016). Retrieved October 15, 2016 from Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WordPress

Created for Vancouver Island University Faculty of Education Course: OLTD 506 Fall 2016 11