Nov

20

Social Networking

Filed Under Collaboration, Musings 

We had a discussion about Facebook at our staff meeting last night. The principal pointed out that a couple of teachers in Manitoba had gotten into trouble (and one fired, if I understood correctly) because of comments on Facebook. One had inadvertently taken a comment that was supposed to be private and made it public, and one had his child repeat something he’d said about his supervisor which then eventually got back to the supervisor.

Fair? Probably not, but it does happen, and, as our principal pointed out, you need to be really careful. As teachers (and especially as Christian school teachers) we’re moral examples to the kids so both our professional and personal lives need to be in good order in case someone happens to notice how we live. Whether that seems fair or not, it’s reality and part of the job if you choose to become a teacher. You’ve got to live with it.

The other side of the equation, which I don’t think we really covered enough, is that social networking has a lot of power. I’ve noticed that through blogging, hanging out at Classroom 2.0 and “following people on Twitter, I’ve become an observer (and even someone with whom to share ideas) of some of the most creative classroom computer users in the world.

This kind of networking is only possible with Internet social networking. Social networking certainly has dangers when used frivolously (in the way many people use Facebook or MySpace) but can become a very powerful tool when used well.

I think the trick is not to stop the kids from using sites like Facebook, but to show them how. They need to understand not only the dangers, but also the potential. You have to be careful about letting out personal information, yet you can also make some incredible contacts.

It’s a balancing act. Without the risks, you don’t get the rewards.

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