Finally I could find someone on the same “wave”. Yes, social media is there, but should only be there in classrooms, when there is a real need for it. Let’s go back again, everything has to be linked to the main Learning Objectives of the curriculum.

We, as educators, still have to do a lot to teach the “digital natives” about cultural issues, to be sensetive and alter, when using the social networking tools. Not much has been done in that aspect until now.

Like so many schools, we’re grappling with the should we/should we not question of teacher-student relationships on Facebook. Most schools are taking the approach of writing policy that bans such connections. I’m not a fan at all of policy that targets particular tools…I don’t know how Facebook could be singled out as most Web2.0 spaces have features that are highly social in nature. So if facebook as a space where teachers and students is blocked, then I would assume twitter, ning, blogger, voicethread and many other social learning tools would be banned as well. I hope some schools take the less popular approach, which is to really work hard to gain an understanding about the peer to peer learning that takes place using social software.

I take Chris Lehmann’s approach as well…anything I write/post/publish online is intended to be viewed by a multi-age audience that could involve young students, teachers, parents, etc.

In my opinion, it is less about the answer and more about a common ground within our community and that takes honest conversations and moments of being uncomfortable.

Our recent conversation will take place during our All School Workshop where everyone in the school comes together in the spirit of community, conversation, and learning.

Here is the link to our wiki that you might want to take a look at to see the structure for this conversation: http://gbnallschoolworkshop.wikispaces.com/Growing+Up+Digital

However, I am struck with the notion that “the fields are white unto harvest” for true, authentic leadership to step forward, to assert bold actions that allow (yes, I thought carefully about using that particular word) a cascade of educators to follow.

Now….won’t it be very interesting to watch closely where that kind of leadership will come from? (pardon that grammatical error, but economy of words forced me to leave it that way!)

But these young teachers established their online lives in high school and college. When their options are “remove those pictures of you holding a beer” or “create an entirely new set of accounts”, those young teachers will choose “don’t bring technology into the classroom”.

Here’s my problem – as a high school teacher (in Ohio) I/we have been actively discouraged from participating in social networking. Union officials, school attorneys, administration – all have indicated in various ways that an online presence accessible by students is to be shunned. We were even encouraged once by a state union rep to remove our (school) email address from the district-hosted homework posting page so kids couldn’t email us! So what’s the point of the homework page?? Duh!

I know the majority of our students are online, and I agree that we can be positive role models for this activity. And I’d love to be able to post links and comments relating to class discussions and topics, as well as receive the same from my students. Unfortunately, I agree that it seems as if I need to wait for “public permission,” or acceptance, before I can do so.

Very cool to hear this, and I’m sure you are not alone. I need to dig around more into these groups in Facebook…I might be surprised at what I find. Glad to hear you are making inroads at your school. Looking forward to the post.

A couple of days ago I stumbled on a FB group set up when our school was looking at being closed a few months ago. 131 members of that group. Nobody over 25, and many had been in my third grade classroom in days of yore. I checked out a few profiles and was amazed. I joined the group, so they’d have a grandpa figure Wonder what that does to group dynamics?

I looked further and found lots of parents from my school on FB, lots with daughters (many more than sons, go speculate…) Keeping track of things? You bet. Interested in networking on their own? Also, you bet.

So I set up an official group for my elementary school. So far, parents and staff members have joined. Will teen/twentysomething alumni join? No idea. But now I’m friending parents at my school. There are two staff members besides me on Facebook, but I must say, there is a lot of talk lately, so that’s a good thing…

So many questions and unknowns. I only know that we absolutely must embrace this latest turn in the road of social connectivity. Thanks for pushing – Mark