Comments on: Teaching Googleableness (Con’t) http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/ Learning with the Read/Write Web Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:36:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: KellyS http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-53217 KellyS Fri, 02 May 2008 01:52:01 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-53217 When I read this I was quite shocked and appalled that an Elementary school teacher would say such things on a public site. At first I was skeptical on the whole “Googling” people thing because I thought that it might be taking background checks a little too far, but now I think that it may be necessary. It kind of seems absurd that the school administrators had not seen any red flags before finding this online webpage. On the question asked about whose to blame, well honestly I think that the people who hired this teacher are at fault a bit. Even though it’s not like they really could have seen this coming, I guess it just goes to show you never really can know what someone could be hiding. I still think that they did make a mistake on hiring what could have been a danger to these young students. This person obviously lived a life that was clearly not appropriate for children to be around. If they had done a more in-depth search on their employees I’m sure that just by typing their name on Google, MySpace, or FaceBook could have easily brought up this information before hand and saved them from dealing with this trouble. Therefore I have changed my opinion a little on making kids and adults “Googleable” because apparently it can be very useful in these situations. When I read this I was quite shocked and appalled that an Elementary school teacher would say such things on a public site. At first I was skeptical on the whole “Googling” people thing because I thought that it might be taking background checks a little too far, but now I think that it may be necessary. It kind of seems absurd that the school administrators had not seen any red flags before finding this online webpage.

On the question asked about whose to blame, well honestly I think that the people who hired this teacher are at fault a bit. Even though it’s not like they really could have seen this coming, I guess it just goes to show you never really can know what someone could be hiding. I still think that they did make a mistake on hiring what could have been a danger to these young students. This person obviously lived a life that was clearly not appropriate for children to be around. If they had done a more in-depth search on their employees I’m sure that just by typing their name on Google, MySpace, or FaceBook could have easily brought up this information before hand and saved them from dealing with this trouble. Therefore I have changed my opinion a little on making kids and adults “Googleable” because apparently it can be very useful in these situations.

]]> By: Kent http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-53188 Kent Thu, 01 May 2008 19:30:11 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-53188 All of us who entered public education as a profession did so of our own free will. In choosing this career, we should know that there is no clear delineation between our private and public lives. I often talk with new teachers about "living in the fish bowl", and how decisions made in our private lives can impact our professional careers. It is an embarassment to our profession when our colleagues make such poor decisions, but that embarassment is furthered when fellow educators try to rationalize and defend such behavior on the grounds of teachers "having a right to a private life." All of us who entered public education as a profession did so of our own free will. In choosing this career, we should know that there is no clear delineation between our private and public lives. I often talk with new teachers about “living in the fish bowl”, and how decisions made in our private lives can impact our professional careers. It is an embarassment to our profession when our colleagues make such poor decisions, but that embarassment is furthered when fellow educators try to rationalize and defend such behavior on the grounds of teachers “having a right to a private life.”

]]> By: Dereck http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-53172 Dereck Thu, 01 May 2008 17:34:49 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-53172 Individual teacher is to blame, but fool me once shame on you fool me twice... schools better start screening and not just fingerprints and certification! Individual teacher is to blame, but fool me once shame on you fool me twice… schools better start screening and not just fingerprints and certification!

]]> By: Dennis Harter http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-53051 Dennis Harter Thu, 01 May 2008 02:59:02 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-53051 <a href="http://dharter.edublogs.org/2008/04/30/online-safety-is-for-teachers-too/" rel="nofollow">Wrote on this same article too.</a> The individuals are to blame at this stage, but the education system that produced them also has to be aware that people are participating in a world for which they are not being taught as young people about. Online safety needs to be part of school business and curriculum. Otherwise we will keep cranking out individuals who don't make good choices or at least cranking out more of them. Brian Lockwood twittered this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrlSkU0TFLs" rel="nofollow">great video</a> which followed nicely to the article. The absurdities of Facebook made clear. Wrote on this same article too.

The individuals are to blame at this stage, but the education system that produced them also has to be aware that people are participating in a world for which they are not being taught as young people about.

Online safety needs to be part of school business and curriculum. Otherwise we will keep cranking out individuals who don’t make good choices or at least cranking out more of them.

Brian Lockwood twittered this great video which followed nicely to the article. The absurdities of Facebook made clear.

]]> By: Gary S. Stager http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-53047 Gary S. Stager Thu, 01 May 2008 02:44:38 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-53047 Will, What exactly would "Teaching Googleableness" consist of? Gary www.constructingmodernknowledge.com Will,

What exactly would “Teaching Googleableness” consist of?

Gary
http://www.constructingmodernknowledge.com

]]> By: Tracy http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-53008 Tracy Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:29:40 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-53008 Who's to blame? Here's one of my theories... The answer may lie in our nation's tolerant-of-differences and everybody's-special-and-unique attitude, resulting in the gradual relaxation of our expectations for what it means to have a professional appearance. I remember having a conversation during my pre-service class (15+ years ago) imploring us to be professional in our dress, behavior, and reputation. The general advice was to go to another town if you wished to party and/or socialize! Fifteen years ago, it was rare to see teachers who had tattoos, multiple body piercings, or dress/hair that was not conservative. I wasn't even aware that my teachers owned jeans or athletic shoes! Now, it is common and accepted to find teachers who do not have a conservative appearance. I think pre-professionals may hear the same warnings, but don't heed them - it's just lip service. After all, look at all in our society who are successful and do not fit the conservative mold. What they don't get, is that while society may be tolerant of one's external appearance, when it comes to the education of their children, parents will NOT be tolerant of unprofessional behavior. Who’s to blame? Here’s one of my theories…

The answer may lie in our nation’s tolerant-of-differences and everybody’s-special-and-unique attitude, resulting in the gradual relaxation of our expectations for what it means to have a professional appearance.

I remember having a conversation during my pre-service class (15+ years ago) imploring us to be professional in our dress, behavior, and reputation. The general advice was to go to another town if you wished to party and/or socialize!

Fifteen years ago, it was rare to see teachers who had tattoos, multiple body piercings, or dress/hair that was not conservative. I wasn’t even aware that my teachers owned jeans or athletic shoes! Now, it is common and accepted to find teachers who do not have a conservative appearance.

I think pre-professionals may hear the same warnings, but don’t heed them – it’s just lip service. After all, look at all in our society who are successful and do not fit the conservative mold. What they don’t get, is that while society may be tolerant of one’s external appearance, when it comes to the education of their children, parents will NOT be tolerant of unprofessional behavior.

]]> By: Ryan L. http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-53000 Ryan L. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:30:38 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-53000 Lol Rick. Sometimes it seems that way. People tend not to think before they post or show something on the internet. I think it is lack of understanding of how to use the internet and the repercussions that come with using it without thinking. My job focuses on making the web more user friendly for teachers and students. The mass populace has an issue with "smart" web use. Teachers, generally speaking, are bad at the internet. Younger teachers may have an advantage, but many teachers struggle with how to use the internet as a teaching tool let alone how to use it in their personal life. Lol Rick. Sometimes it seems that way. People tend not to think before they post or show something on the internet. I think it is lack of understanding of how to use the internet and the repercussions that come with using it without thinking.

My job focuses on making the web more user friendly for teachers and students. The mass populace has an issue with “smart” web use. Teachers, generally speaking, are bad at the internet. Younger teachers may have an advantage, but many teachers struggle with how to use the internet as a teaching tool let alone how to use it in their personal life.

]]> By: Two days of Tech Connect & interesting post from Will Richardson | Mark Carls Blog http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-52963 Two days of Tech Connect & interesting post from Will Richardson | Mark Carls Blog Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:57:28 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-52963 [...] out Will Richardson’s latest post on his blog (It’s part II of teachers putting inappropriate info on their myspace/facebook [...] [...] out Will Richardson’s latest post on his blog (It’s part II of teachers putting inappropriate info on their myspace/facebook [...]

]]> By: Mark Carls http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-52953 Mark Carls Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:28:58 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-52953 Not sure who is to blame, but schools do have to check this things out now first. I do like Rick's comment though. It is good to hear about this being brought up in a new teacher orientation program, I may run that by the people out here as well. Thanks for bringing this up again Will. Not sure who is to blame, but schools do have to check this things out now first. I do like Rick’s comment though. It is good to hear about this being brought up in a new teacher orientation program, I may run that by the people out here as well. Thanks for bringing this up again Will.

]]> By: Dave http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-52944 Dave Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:55:45 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-52944 I'm glad you're back, but please post more than FUD about social networking and young professionals. As a young professional in public schools, I have a hard enough time as it is being taken seriously. I’m glad you’re back, but please post more than FUD about social networking and young professionals. As a young professional in public schools, I have a hard enough time as it is being taken seriously.

]]> By: Bethany Smith http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-52942 Bethany Smith Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:54:11 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-52942 I work at a college of education and am constantly trying to explain to our student teachers that their presence on the internet is available to EVERYONE! That they will be "judged" by the way they represent themselves online. I encourage them to try and keep their private lives public. Now, I happened to live in a state that still has a Moral Clause to their teacher contracts. Our students are expected to uphold a code of conduct that is in keeping with what a mentor or teacher should be. I think that is one of the trade-offs of being a public school teacher. You need to be someone your students can look up to. If you don't want to be that - have a separate Facebook account that is not in your REAL NAME! I work at a college of education and am constantly trying to explain to our student teachers that their presence on the internet is available to EVERYONE! That they will be “judged” by the way they represent themselves online. I encourage them to try and keep their private lives public.

Now, I happened to live in a state that still has a Moral Clause to their teacher contracts. Our students are expected to uphold a code of conduct that is in keeping with what a mentor or teacher should be.

I think that is one of the trade-offs of being a public school teacher. You need to be someone your students can look up to. If you don’t want to be that – have a separate Facebook account that is not in your REAL NAME!

]]> By: Rick http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-52896 Rick Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:55:47 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-52896 I keep saying, this internets just doesn't come with an idiot filter. I keep saying, this internets just doesn’t come with an idiot filter.

]]> By: Jon Becker http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-52892 Jon Becker Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:41:00 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-52892 yes yes

]]> By: Lisa Nielsen http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-52891 Lisa Nielsen Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:34:26 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-52891 So many thoughts...first thing that comes to mind is something I heard a while back about the early day moral code for teachers and what they could and couldn't do outside of work. Should educators be judged on their non-work related activities??? Where is the line? Can those pointing fingers (or hiring) stand behind a perfectly clean background? Do we want to go there? I wonder if this is a generational issue as well? I love the post on my friend the Brazen Careerist's blog from her 20-something guest columnist at http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/05/twentysomething-raunchy-old-photos-will-be-part-of-the-revolution. The advice is that the 20-somethings have accepted the blurred lines of work and play and the idea that if personal doesn't negatively interfere with professional (i.e. refrain from posting illegal Spitzer-like activities) HR needs to get over it because many of us have personal personas that may not jive with those that are professional, yet it does not interfere with who someone is at work. All that said, we do have to teach better safe than sorry, or...how to check the background of the person checking your background :)))) So many thoughts…first thing that comes to mind is something I heard a while back about the early day moral code for teachers and what they could and couldn’t do outside of work. Should educators be judged on their non-work related activities??? Where is the line? Can those pointing fingers (or hiring) stand behind a perfectly clean background? Do we want to go there? I wonder if this is a generational issue as well? I love the post on my friend the Brazen Careerist’s blog from her 20-something guest columnist at http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/05/twentysomething-raunchy-old-photos-will-be-part-of-the-revolution. The advice is that the 20-somethings have accepted the blurred lines of work and play and the idea that if personal doesn’t negatively interfere with professional (i.e. refrain from posting illegal Spitzer-like activities) HR needs to get over it because many of us have personal personas that may not jive with those that are professional, yet it does not interfere with who someone is at work.

All that said, we do have to teach better safe than sorry, or…how to check the background of the person checking your background :) )))

]]> By: Josh TS http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/teaching-googleableness-cont/comment-page-1/#comment-52884 Josh TS Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:43:00 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2839#comment-52884 I don't think that anyone is to blame because teachers are aloud to have a life outside of school. If a teacher decides to have a social website like myspace or face book then they should not be restricted from saying anything. However they should keep in mind what he or she is placing on the Internet and everyone has or can get access to it one way or another. I don’t think that anyone is to blame because teachers are aloud to have a life outside of school. If a teacher decides to have a social website like myspace or face book then they should not be restricted from saying anything. However they should keep in mind what he or she is placing on the Internet and everyone has or can get access to it one way or another.

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