HOW SOCIAL NETWORKS FIT INTO MY LIFE
The biggest social network that I am a part of is Facebook. I moved from Michigan to Florida, and I use Facebook to stay connected to my family and friends. I also use it to stay connected to new people who I meet. I enjoy using Facebook because you can see who knows who, what your friends are up to, and how their lives are changing each day. Social networking is also a form of entertainment for me, so I don’t allow myself to go on Facebook every day! It can be a huge distraction from all of the tasks I have to complete, so I only sign on if I get a message from someone and other than that I check it about once a week.
Several of my coworkers are Facebook members, and it’s nice to be able to connect with these people both professionally and personally. I enjoy sharing photos with them and engaging in conversations that may or may not be work related. If I ever have a question or need a recommendation for anything, I can post it on one of my networks and receive almost instant suggestions.
Social networking also allows me to join groups. By joining a particular group, I can connect with people who have similar interests and engage in discussions on certain topics, such as technology and education.
Now that I have explored this week’s labs and joined numerous networks, I am constantly being pointed to different web sites and applications that can aid my teaching!
HOW SOCIAL NETWORKS FIT INTO THE LIVES OF MY STUDENTS
Social networking takes student learning beyond the borders of the classroom. It serves as another way for teachers and students to communicate with each other. It also encourages discussions and promotes sharing of resources and ideas.
I think one of the most important things to acknowledge is that social networking is not going to go away. It is already very much a part of student’s lives. My students are only in first grade, but those with older siblings know all about Facebook and have even searched for me and requested to be my friend. Our district, however, does not allow teachers to “friend” any students, and most of the sites like Facebook and Twitter are blocked.
Despite the fact that many sites are blocked from school computer networks, students at the elementary level are already using computers and the internet, so it makes sense to engage them this way and teach them how to be responsible users. They can message peers and teachers regarding homework questions, be reminded of school events, projects, and due dates, and teachers can communicate with parents through the use of social networks.
In the article, Social Networking Goes to School, by Michelle R. Davis published in Digital Directions, Shelly Terrell, who is a teacher and blogger states, “If you don’t take that golden opportunity to teach students about the responsibility of using these things, you lose a teachable moment,” she says. “If schools block them, they’re preventing students from learning the skills they need to know.” I agree with this statement completely. As educators, we need to educate our students on the dos and don’ts of using the internet and promote internet safety.
I find that I have the same problem with Facebook! It is a huge black hole when it comes to time. Our teacher’s union has discouraged us from “friending” current students, but OK’s ones that have graduated from HS. However, I personally feel that it’s inappropriate and somewhat unprofessional. My college students are a different matter, though. I agree we need to find a way to bring these technologies into the classroom, so that we can teach our students to be responsible 21st Century networked citizens.
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