Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Nings, Beebo, FriendFeed…
These terms (whether used as nouns – “Do you have a Facebook?” or verbs “Do you Tweet?”) are now part of our technology vocabulary and are certainly part of your students’ lives! So, how does “social networking” (or SN) fit into the scheme of education?
- How do educators use SN? Should educators use SN?
- How do students use SN?
- What foreseeable uses do you see for SN in education?
- How should educators and students interact on SNs?
Comments? Experiences?
Advertisement
September 22, 2009 at 11:49 am
1.) How do educators use SN? Should educators use SN?
Educators use SN to keep in contact with old and new friends. During the year, teachers are required to attend conferences. Throughout the day, teachers meet many other individuals in their field, and possibly become friends.
Yes, I think educators should use SN. It creates an outlet for teachers to share ideas and experiences with each other. I find it to be very beneficial to ask others what has worked/not worked for them in particular situations. However, many students are part of SN sites, and it is vital for a teacher never to be friends with them! By being friends with them, it makes the student to teacher relationship questionable, when it should always be professional.
2.) How do students use SN?
They are members of sites such as: facebook, myspace, and instant messenger. Kids use these sites to communicate with their peers and share photographs. I think technology has taken away from knowing how to verbally communicate.
3.) What foreseeable uses do you see for SN in education?
Teachers able to share ideas with each other about activities and classroom management. It is also helpful to ask previous teachers for feedback about troublesome students and parents. Although I feel it is vital to form my own opinion, but it is helpful to know what I am up against.
4.) How should educators and students interact on SNs?
Educators and students should not be interacting on SN sites! Students should not be able to read personal information, notes written from friends, and view photographs. I think it is fine to email students, but not “be their friend.” The only way educators and students should interact is if my classroom is paired with another classroom, and I am facilitating.
Experiences:
1.) I worked as an aide at the high school level. I had many students asking me if I could be their friend on facebook. I told them no because I am an adult and they’re a child. Many of them could not understand why, but it is unprofessional of me to be buddies with students.
2.) I have seen on the news/read online about cyberbullying. These stories are disturbing! Unfortunately, I don’t think there is any way to control it.
Comments:
1.) I think it is a mistake to let high school kids on facebook and middle school kids (and up) onto myspace. The teenage years are tender because students are developing and learning where they fit in. Growing up is hard enough, and facing online harshness makes it worse.
September 23, 2009 at 6:06 pm
1.) How do educators use SN?
They use it to keep in contact with one another. Teachers are required to attend workshops and conferences throughout the year, and I think they make friends with eachother. SN are a way for educators to stay in touch with each other. Also, they can exchange ideas about activities. Although I think it is vital to form my own about anyone, but sometimes previous teachers can provide feedback about problem students and parents.
2.) Should educators use SN?
Yes, I think teachers should use SN. It is a beneficial to share ideas with one another. However, I think it is important to have the privacy levels at the highest setting. In my opinion, it is a bad idea to let students and/or their parents know you are on SN sites.
3.) What foreseeable uses do you see for SN in education?
It is a great way for teachers to share ideas with one another. Also, it is possible to “buddy up” with a classroom in a different city, state, or country. Through previous experiences, the students greatly enjoy talking with others.
4.) How should educators and students interact on SNs?
Teachers and students should never be “friends” on SN sites. I think it is ok when students graduate from high school because they are of legal age. The only time educators and kids should interact would be if the teacher is a facilitator during sessions with their “online buddies.”
5.) Comments: I think it is a mistake to allow high school students to be facebook and middle school students (and up) to be on myspace. Teenage years are a tender time, and I feel these sites open a window to be bullied. I remember hearing stories about a young girl committing suicide over her pseudo myspace boyfriend. These sites should be open to people ages eighteen and over.
6.) Experiences: I worked as an aide as a high school, and I had many students ask me to be their friend on facebook. I declined all requests, and had to explain why: I am an adult and he/she is a minor.