Te(A)ching An Old Dog New Tricks: Social Networking

Social Networking Reflections

How can teachers use/teach social networking tools into the classroom with or without a computer or device?

I’m not sure if the question should be if social networking should be addressed in the classroom, as much as when should it be introduced? I am currently teaching Grade Two and had to wonder about the concept of social networking for this age group. Then I thought about how, when and why my students are on the internet. No, they do not have Twitter or Facebook accounts, but their parents are often on these sites and post about their children. The students themselves, however, do often have gaming accounts where they communicate with other players that they might only connected to via the game. They are also involved with sites such as Bitstrips and Prodigy in conjunction with classroom activities. The comments and content on the school related sites is monitored and filtered by the teacher and therefore improper activity can be addressed, but not on the gaming sites. Students need to be educated on the proper use of the internet, terms of use and internet safety as soon as they are deemed old enough by parents or educators to be allowed onto these sites.

For the age group I teach, the lessons are basic. We talk about password privacy and why it is important not to share a password with friends. We also discuss appropriate comments, language, and images that one might use or see on the internet. Students are advised to talk to a trusted adult about things on the internet that concern or upset them just like any other problem they might face. I try to relate ‘virtual’ circumstances to ‘real world’ situations like those students might experience on the playground. Just like second and third hand comments at recess, where Jane tells Ann that Sally said she doesn’t like her, but Sally said no such thing, only more damaging, are the comments that someone could post online ‘pretending’ to be you if you give out your password. Playground bullying is usually more relevant to a seven year old than cyber bullying, but the two can be discussed together when working with young students. I am also trying to pursue networking opportunities with other classrooms, via Skype or blogs. By modelling and sharing as a group online, we will be able to set and share the expectations of safe and appropriate internet networking as a class.

If students are introduced to proper conduct and expectations early in their internet endeavours, hopefully they will retain this knowledge and skill set as more social networking opportunities become available to them in their future.

How can the use of Twitter or other social networking tools help leaders support staff? How is this different from other methods?

I have to be honest; I have never understood the appeal of Twitter. Maybe it is because all I really knew about it was the misguided or egocentric celebrity tweets that I heard about on the radio or the news. I have opened my Twitter account and am giving it a try, all in the name of 21^st Century Fluencies and expanding my knowledge base, but it will take me awhile to catch on and appreciate its value.

My sons are both big Tumblr advocates. They tell me it is like Twitter but the posts can be longer. It seems to provide a wealth of information for my sixteen year old….if only he was as interested in things like algebra, biology, or a high school diploma. ..But I digress.

Facebook has been my social media/medium of choice. I originally signed on as a way of staying in contact with people I had met in teachers’ college. My ‘friends’ list mainly consists of actual family members, Mini Aussie owners, and teaching colleagues. As well as keeping in touch on a personal level it a way of sharing experiences and ideas from/for the classroom.

Another aspect of social networking available through Facebook is the groups and ‘likeable’ pages that one can join. I am currently connected to the Ontario Teachers Resource and Sharing page. I sometimes become frustrated with posts because it seems like some individuals are looking for someone to hand them lesson plans on a silver platter without exerting any personal creative effort. Other times, however, the posts are informative, the questions thought provoking and the links valuable.

Social networking tools are valuable because they draw in content from a larger variety of sources than the usually staff meetings or even cluster PD sessions. Posts are made by educators who work at all grade levels, have a wide range of experience, are located in various boards and private institutions and maybe most importantly, are part of the conversation on their own time and own initiative. Individuals, even educators, are more receptive to learning when it is on their own terms.