Social MediaSocial Media Issues and Opportunites

for Educators

Jim FordeJim Fordehttp://www.principalspartnership.com/sn.html

What is Social Networking?

A social networking site is an online place where a user can create a profile and build a personal network that connects him or her to

other users.

How are people networking?How are people networking?

Who is networking in this way?Who is networking in this way?

• Show of hands?

• 73% of online teens. (http://www.pewinternet.org)

• Businesses- Walmart on facebook?!

• Non-profits- NASSP.org twitter• School Districts - facebook?!

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Common SN platformsCommon SN platforms• FacebookFacebook- Profile with

pictures, discussion board (wall), email

- “Friend” each other

• TwitterTwitter- Status updates(links, images etc.)- You “Follow” a

twitter feed. When you post to twitter it is known as “tweeting”.

• Blogs- Webb loglogging- A website

with a specific focus with an ability to post responses to messages.

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Social Networking: ConcernsSocial Networking: Concerns• Users don’t understand the openess of

the sites and share personal information which can be potentially damaging and put them at risk.

• Users engage in online aggression assuming that they are “anonymous”.

• Users join inappropriate or dangerous on-line communities exposing themselves to danger.

• It can become a time consuming distraction

Implications for schoolsImplications for schools

• CDC study on electronic aggression http://www.cdc.ncipc/dvp/electronicagression.htm

• House Parties/Ragers

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TheLaw/teen-house-party-allegedly-caused-45000-damaage-online/story?id=10258871

• Flash Mob http://cbs3.com/local/Police.Respond.Thousands.2.1579054.html

• Cyberbullying (other workshop?!) http://www.slate.com/id/2248764

Addressing Concerns: some ideasAddressing Concerns: some ideas

• Have a clear internet policy (students/faculty)

• Online safety educational program (parents and students)

• School based internet monitoring

• Appropriate consequences for inappropriate use of the Internet.

(social workers, counselors, psychologists and resource officers)

Addressing concerns: cont.Addressing concerns: cont.• CDC- http://www.cdc.ncipc/dvp/electronicagression.htm

• Info on current laws on bullying and harassment. http://www.nasbe.org/healthy_schools/hs/index.php

• Develop an Acceptable Use Policy which addresses these considerations:– Legal- can limit access to on campus access, “substantial disruption” to

educational process standard, cannot limit outside use– Policy- reflect values and beliefs, should be talked about and clarified, can be

conflicting.– Educational- think about the current use by staff

http://www.principalspartnership.com/SocialMediaAUP.pdf

• Internet Policies http://connectsafely.org http://ww.allfacebook.com/2009/02/facebook-privacy/ http://www.ongurdonline.gov/topics/social-networking-sites.aspx http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues/issues423.shtml http://www.safeschools.info/resources.php

Addressing concerns: cont.Addressing concerns: cont.• Explore Bullying/Violence/electronic aggression programs

– Second Step– Rachel’s Challenge– Bullying.org– CDC- New Technology and Youth Violence : Issue Brief

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/YVP/electronic_aggression.htm

• Talk with Teens• Positive School Atmosphere “Research shows that students that feel connected to their school, who

think that teachers care about them and are fair, who think the school rules are clear and fair are less likely perpetrate any type of violence including electronic aggression”

- Social Media RB

• Clear plan to deal with incidents

• Work with the IT staff- infrastructure issues

Social Networking: opportunitiesSocial Networking: opportunities• Schools using FB pages for info, updates,

calendars

• Schools are using Twitter to “tweet out” reminders and announcements similar to robo-calls.

• Educationally related Podcasts/Videos

• iTunes apps and iTunes University

• Educationally related Blogs

• You Tube/Teacher Tube

• Educational Uses- http://flatclassroomproject.org

• Wikis - for discussion and document sharing

Schools on FB?

Schools on Twitter?

Student/Class Blogs?

• http://mrforde.blogspot.com

• http://msdahlstrom.edublogs.org

• http://terrapinkids.blogspot.com

Mr. Forde’s blog

Terrapin Kids Blog

Ms. Dahlstrom’s Page

iTunes University

Teachertube.com

iTunes Apps

Educational Wikishttp://www.blackteam.wikispaces.com

Podcasts

The Principals’ Partnership and SN

Twitter Feed: PrinPartnership

Facebook Group: The Principals’ Partnership BETA

What’s coming?• Second Life

• Sixth Sense

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http://www.pranavmistry.com/projects/sixthsense/

http://www.secondlife.com

Some Social Networking ResourcesSome Social Networking Resources

Research Briefs:Research Briefs:• Social Media Social Media

http://www.principalspartnership.com/spcialmedia.pdf• Social Media: Developing an AUPSocial Media: Developing an AUP http://www.principalspartmership.com/aup.pdf• Innovative Uses of Social Media in HS http://www.principalspartnership.com/innovativeuses.pdf• Cyber Bullying http://www.principalspartnership.com/cyberbullying.pdf

Other Resources:

• Top Ten Lists of Great Resources http://www.angelamaiers.com/2010/07/list-for-leaders.html

Some Safety ResourcesSome Safety Resources

• Common Sense Media Internet Safety http://www.commonsensemedia.org/internet-safety

Facebook..• 10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know• http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/02/facebook-privacy/• The Facebook Guidebook• http://mashable.com/guidebook/facebook/

Twitter..• The Twitter Guidebook• http://mashable.com/guidebook/twitter/

All things Web 2.0• Mashable• http://www.mashable.com

One final noteOne final note.

“It's critical to realize that just because young folks pick up a technology before you do doesn't inherently mean that they understand it better than you do.”