Dilemma of the Week: Value of Social Networking

Can social networking be an effective tool in education? I believe that the bottom line to this question stands within the boundaries of to what extent do the students know their implications of their postings and what have they learned about protecting their safety online?  A few links from the readings for this week may be useful to some in teaching online safety: http://www.csriu.org and http://www.wiredsafety.org. Some of the readings that I most enjoyed (Myspace in College Admissions, Many Faces of Facebook, and Why Youth Heart Myspace) reinforced what I already knew about these social networking sites by using them myself or by discussing them with my students.  I have encouraged my students to examine their profiles carefully for information that would portray them in a negative light.  I told them that some potential employers are now searching the profiles of applicants for jobs. Many of them were mortified.  The funny thing is they could have cared less that I saw the information.  I have a personal Myspace page which is listed private, however many of the students have found me and have requested to be my friend.  At first, I wasn’t sure what to do, I didn’t want to reject someone, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to have that type of relationship with students.  I have since accepted friend requests for students have made sure that my profile is very appropriate.  All correspondence is typically initiated by the students, and I reply to them.  There have been many times that Myspace has been a very effective tool for me to communicate with students and visa versa. 

Students need to be reminded about the implications of their postings and would all benefit from reading the article on Myspace in College Admissions.  One site recommended using the “grandma test”. If you would allow your gram to view what you have posted, than it is appropriate.  I too have told this to students and to my younger cousins.  

Links to readings on this topic:

http://insidehighered.com/news/2006/06/15/facebook

http://www.cit.cornell.edu/policy/memos/facebook.html

http://www.danah.org/papers/AAAS2006.html

http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=37032&CFID=441828&CFTOKEN=10680131

http://education.guardian.co.uk/elearning/story/0,,1985377,00.html

 http://www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/News/StepsNewsletter/myspace_students.htm

Hello world!

I believe blogging would benefit my students once I became a little bit more comfortable with it. I could use it to list my students’ assignments, important dates, (marking term, athletic events, extra curriculars, etc…) school and classroom policies, links to web sites that may be useful for tutorials or as a resource driven by the curriculum.  I could communicate more with parents, students, caseworkers, administration, other key school personnel ie: nurse, AD, ISS monitor, etc…

Major Hurdles- 1) We do not have access to blogs at school. 2) Not all students/parents have access at home or at work.

Overcoming the Hurdles:1) Education- educate school officials about the benefits, teach the students about the risks, provide teachers with learning opportunities to be more comfortable using technology, explain the uses and benefits to parents. 2) I know I’m idealistic but find a way to have a computer with internet access in every home. Find grant monies, build the purchase of laptops (leased- always up to date and carries a warranty) for students into the budget. Make it a special fund raising project. 

Is it Worth the Fight…ABSOLUTELY:)