Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/587184
ant information before handing our kids a computer or phone," says Baxter, Oak Park Teachers Association. "It's not something we can do after the fact." Students learn everyone has a digital "footprint" and that what goes online is permanent, even if it's negative or em- barrassing. They learn how to prevent identity theft and avoid online stranger danger. They learn that cyberbullying can have tragic repercussions. They also learn that not everything they read on the Internet is true. Baxter doesn't want to make stu- dents afraid; she wants them to devel- op common sense. "The Internet is a great place to learn and connect with others in a positive way. But they also need a healthy dose of reality and safety. Just the other day while a student was playing an online game, a window popped up asking for him for his name and address. He knew what to do, which was to block that user. Because of this class, he under- stood it was an unsafe situation." Baxter tells parents the best paren- tal control isn't software — it's them. The best way to ensure cyber safety is have a computer in the living room or on a kitchen table — and not in a child's bedroom, she advises. "Our kids are stepping into a whole new world that we weren't part of growing up. We have to work together to make sure their experiences in this world are positive and safe." E V E R H E A R T H E S T O RY about "The Case of the Ship- wrecked Sailors"? It's a true tale from the late 1800s of three sailors cast adrift on a life raft with no food or water, who agreed to draw straws to determine who would be killed and eaten so the other two could survive. The sailor who designed the plan drew the short straw and was killed, despite reneging on the deal. Five days later, the two survivors were rescued by a pass- ing ship. They were brought ashore in England and tried for murder. "It's a moral and legal dilemma," Chris Voisin tells McClatchy High School seniors. "In a life-or-death situation, is it better for one to die and two to survive? Is there a different law for those who are out at sea? Can an act be legal but immoral?" Welcome to Street Law, an A-G class that Voisin has taught for 11 years. The class covers the basics of criminal law, torts, criminal procedures, family law and consumer law, says Voisin, an attorney who practiced for 22 years before becoming a teacher. "I created the class because I want my students to become better thinkers and read things more carefully," says the Sacramento City Teachers Asso- ciation member. Voisin's oldest son is incarcerated in Oklahoma, and he is used as an example of bad decision-mak- ing and how the law works. Voisin makes students aware of things they may not realize. He says many of them think they will never be caught breaking the law or get in trouble from associating with lawbreakers. For example, if one of three college roommates is dealing drugs out of the house and gets caught, the other two could also be held accountable. Students discuss issues of liability, privacy, email confidentiality, and when to be a good Samaritan and come to somebody's rescue. "I grade students on their analysis and thought process more than correct answers," says Voisin. "I look at how they come to their conclusions. This class helps create disciplined thinkers. It might even save lives." Chris Voisin's class covers criminal, family and consumer law. STREET LAW 25 V O LU M E 2 0 I S S U E 3