Relationships and Communications

Part of our online presence is how we connect with people through online platforms. Oftentimes we know people we interact with online in real life, but sometimes we connect with people through a common profession or interest online. This is something to be cautious about. There are many connections that are great online, and allow for sharing of information in a productive and healthy way. However, sometimes there are people that try to get private information from you, such as a social security number. This is not healthy, and is a major red flag when it comes to online communication.

As a teacher it is important to teach students about in person relationships as well as online relationships. It is important to model for students connections with people that are positive online. This can be done through encouraging my students to follow specific artists that may interest them. If they are making a piece that reminds me of something I have seen online, it is important to show students that and get them thinking about how their work connects to others. This also builds their own connections with people with similar interests, while minimizing the scary or unhealthy online connections. I can model this for students by having my Instagram account for my class following other artists, and then showing students artists of interest.

In my content area, it may also be helpful to have students talk through healthy and unhealthy online and in person relationships. Students could then create a work of art promoting healthy relationships. This could turn into an abstract work that connects with the feeling that a healthy relationship allows for. It could also turn into a naturalistic piece that depicts a healthy relationship. This gets students thinking about these important topics through the art making process.

Resources:

Video on healthy vs unhealthy relationships that can be shown to students:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn7ZQ2x0cOE

Kahoot - online tool that allows for students to compete for getting the correct answer the fastest: can be used as a quiz at the end of a class:

https://kahoot.com/