http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-932037.mp3
Albany, NY – "CHARACTER MATTERS: HOW TO HELP OUR CHILDREN DEVELOP GOOD JUDGMENT, INTEGRITY, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL VIRTUES"
Part Two: The Essential Virtues of Character Education, and Suggestions for What Parents Can Do -
Anti-bullying organizations have been galvanized into action these past weeks after a Rutgers college student committed suicide.
Educators across the country are saying the increased suicide rate is demonstrating the need for more civility, especially when it comes to online privacy.
Many schools have already implemented ruled of conduct. And many more schools will now attempt to enforce year-round conduct codes.
Character education has grown in popularity among educators and parents alike, though some research does question it effectiveness.
One of the most highly regarded national authorities on character education is Dr. Thomas Lickona, a developmental psychologist and professor of education at the State University of New York at Cortland..
Dr. Lickona is the author of "Character Matters: How to Help Our Children Develop Good Judgment, Integrity, and Other Essential Virtues."
Last week, we spoke with him about the extensive history of character education, and how it can be incorporated into classroom curricula.
This week, we conclude our conversation by discussing the ten essential virtues of character education (including fortitude - the one he identifies with teen suicides) plus suggestions for what parents can do.
Glenn Busby reports. (11:57)
**(For additional information about this story, Dr. Thomas Lickona suggests the following two web addresses: http://www2.cortland.edu/centers/character/ and www.character.org.)**
GUEST COMMENTARY ON CYBERBULLYING:
"SUBSTITUTE EDUCATION FOR LYSOL" -
Our previous story talked about teen suicide, and mentioned the cyberbullying-related suicide death at Rutgers. Our guest commentator explores that subject in more depth.
Dr. Dawn Watkins is the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Washington and Lee University.
Dr. Watkins writes that "before bathroom walls became virtual, a can of Lysol and a stiff brush could remove the nasty and vulgar insults that anonymous bullies scrawled.
Watkins goes on to say that while the graffiti could be humiliating to its targets, not everyone in the world could read those slurs with the simple click of their computer mouse. She says today - Lysol won't help clean the cyber-walls.
Dawn Watkins comments. (4:15)
(These comments were originally published in the online Inside Higher Education.)
THE ACADEMIC MINUTE
"CHILDREN AND TECHNOLOGY" -
This week's episode continues the relationship between children and technology theme, and features Dr. Nathan Freier, Assistant Professor of Human-Computer Interaction in the Department of Language, Literature, and Communication with a joint appointment in Information Technology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
The Academic Minute is hosted by Dr. Lynn Pasquerella, a celebrated philosopher and medical ethicist, and President of Mount Holyoke College. (2:30)