Social Networking: Friend or Foe?

i.              In your estimation, does Social Networking offer teachers greater advantages through possible connections with students, or does it present greater issues for teachers? 

            Social Networking has the potential to act as an effective tool for classrooms.  Students can immediately post questions or concerns about lesson content, quieter students are more likely to equally participate in class discussions, and the use of a tool that students like and are accustomed to using may increase content retention in students.  On the flip side, it is also important to set clear goals and guidelines for students, and students may perceive use of social networking as an excuse to slack off.  This is to say that online classroom discussions can get off track quickly.  

            Additionally, teachers may want to provide some training in proper online etiquette:  how to communicate effectively, respectfully, and responsibly.  This will help with keeping the online discussion on track, but may also help decrease cyber-bullying.  If we spent even half of the time that we spend on personal communication on online communication-- where students feel courageous behind a veil of anonymity-- we might produce students who are capable of almost always exercising good judgment when it comes to online activity.  It seems like we need to update our curriculum to address the needs of our students- this includes education for technology.  

            I feel like the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to introducing technology to a classroom.  I am not sure why we wouldn't include something that appeals to and increases the learning of students.  According to David Zax's article Learning in 140-character Bites (p. 52), "Besides, some argue, students often are already using these technologies in class; professors are simply co-opting a tool that would otherwise serve as a distraction."  I think the biggest con is inappropriate or abusive online activity.  It is sad that students feel entitled to harass, belittle, or otherwise pick on other students.  That being said, the internet and the technology that allows us access to it is very much a part of students' lives.  I feel it has become imperative to include online etiquette as a part of our curriculum. 

            Perhaps parents-- even if they are included in the process-- may protest use of social networking sites in the classroom.  I know that some parents will not allow their children to establish social networking accounts.  

            Another issue is that the school would have to be able to afford the computers needed to pursue a technologically-inclusive classroom.  Given the financial crisis currently being experienced by schools, I feel like supplying the number of computers, iPads, etc. necessary might not be possible for most schools.  Teachers cannot rely on students to supply their own technology since many students cannot afford the necessary technology for a class that performs online tasks.  Another issue is that students who do get to experience technology in the classroom will unfairly have a leg up on students who do not, thus widening the gap in our schools. 

ii.            Were you to utilize Social Networking with students, what precautions to you think are necessary in today’s digital world in order to safeguard your professional standing?  Do you think it’s fair to teachers to hold them to a different standard than other professionals (do you even think that that is what is happening – you can reference your take on the Natalie Munroe scenario).  

          

            There were various opinions stated in Have you Googled your Teacher Lately which reflect the fact that social networking and other forms of internet posting are so new, that there aren't definitive laws in place to govern a teacher's personal restrictions.   When you look at the current laws on online activities and a teacher's freedom of speech, you'll find that laws differ from state to state and district to district.  Part of the problem is that social networking and blogging are relatively new, so there are still law-changing cases being tried.  It will be interesting to see where these cases will take the current laws.  My guess is that personal freedoms will continued to be sacrificed.  In a sense, I am afraid that things will get so bad that it would be in a teacher's best interest to refrain from having any sort of online account.  Additionally, I could see future teacher training including a class about online activity and the legal issues surrounding teachers and online activity.  As it stands, the internet is too new and case law is too thin to support an entire class dedicated to the subject.  

           

            I've always been an advocate for personal freedom as long as actions do not negatively affect others in any way.  Carter, H., Foulger, T., & Dutton-Ewbank, A. (p. 684) wrote in Have you Googled your Teacher Lately, "Under the Pickering/ Connick test, a teacher could be disciplined for speaking out publicly against a school administrator only if that speech interfered with the efficient operations of the school." It is a little disheartening that teachers are put under the stress of limiting what he or she posts online for risk of losing their jobs.  It almost feels like a witch hunt, in some ways.  I feel like the negative comments made by teachers are sensationalized, when many people outside of the teaching posts far more atrocious comments and are not ostracized as a result.  We never see anything about doctors, lawyers, etc. posting negative opinions or stories with regards to their clients, and I am fairly certain that this phenomenon is not unique to teachers.  I feel like, when it comes to online activity, attention is drawn to those with negative behaviors that will make good news (i.e. sex scandals and politicians).  I just performed a Google search for "doctor in trouble for online activity," and Doctor Who popped up.  I performed a few other searches and turned up nothing.  Again, I doubt online activity practiced in poor judgment is not limited to those in the teaching profession; it's just that, coming from a teacher, this activity is far more interesting to the general public.

            Given the fact that I advocate equally for personal freedom, I do not feel it is fair that teachers be held to a different standard than other professions.  On the flip side, I feel that teachers are in a sensitive place because there is the potential for adversely affecting a child.  As long as no names are mentioned, a teacher should have the right to vent about his or her job.  Given the current legal climate surrounding a teacher's personal rights, it might be a good idea to always exercise caution when posting something on the internet- this extends to taking extreme measures when it comes to privacy settings on one's social network or blog account.  It is a good idea to limit access to viewable information when it comes to co-workers, students, parents, and everyone else since the world wide web has made the world a much smaller place. 

iii.           How serious of a threat is cyber-bullying to what you intend to do in your classroom?  In your estimation, is it something that as a middle school/high school teacher, you will be on the lookout for?  Should you have to be on the lookout for it? 

            Anytime you enter a situation where you are not talking to someone in person, people are emboldened in their sense of entitlement.  This doesn't only extend to online communication, but telephonic as well.  Though, I feel the level of abusive communication increases through online discussion because part of a person's identity is his or her voice.  When online, a person feels a sense of anonymity.  

            We can create fake profiles with fake names and personal facts.  In fact, we can create profiles where we assume the identity of another person.  An abuser can target victims with the sense that he or she will not suffer any repercussions.  It seems like pranks, insults, and threats would become far worse when the delivering person feels faceless.  Given this information, I feel cyber-bullying is a major issue.  

            While it saddens me that any kind of character education has to take place in the classroom-- ideally, students would be respectful and responsible-- technology has become such an essential part of our lives.  Given the fact that K-12 students are not yet mature enough to always exercise good judgment, cyber-bullying and other types of inappropriate online behavior must be addressed.  I feel that cyber-bullying can be diminished by character instruction as it relates to online behavior and proper use of technology.  In my classroom, I plan to include this instruction.  I also will tell my students to come see me if they are experiencing abuse of ANY kind- this includes online abuse.  

           These rules and expectations will make their way onto the rules posted on the classroom bulletin board.  Rather than spend one day addressing the issue, I would likely weave the character lessons into my daily lessons.  I think by ignoring what has become important and normal in our society, we are bestowing a huge disservice onto our students.  I will point out the positive uses of technology as a time-saver, organizer, research tool, etc.  I will point out that anything can be misused, but that we should always try to use anything to make the world a better place. 

Renee Ramig (p. 9) suggests that technology in the classroom is a positive learning tool for the classroom, and that she put in place the following lessons and expectations:  "Keep the network private, allowing only the students you choose to have access.  Decide if you want parents to have access, and if you do, give them their own accounts. Monitor the network regularly.  Share both appropriate and inappropriate posts, discussing why something should not have been posted (and remember to remove inappropriate posts.  Be specific on what the network is to be used for and what it is not to be used for."  I think my only point of contention is that I would invariably involve the parents because I feel like transparency decreases conflict.  I do appreciate the idea that Ramig suggests we teach students postive and negative uses for the internet, and demonstrate appropriate and inappropriate online behaviors.