Creating and Connecting-World of Social Networking

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Creating and Connecting: Students, Parents, Schools, and the World of Social Networking
Ann Flynn with NSBA
  • Became involved in social networking to add a voice to the discussion that was not from a "technology" group
  • Explosive growth in social networking…Like a frontier town.
  • Generational confusion
  • Age of user -
    • Majority of social networking stie suers are under 35 while most school leaders and board members are over 35
  • "Are we preparing our children for our past rather than for their future"
  • World IS flat
  • Large corporations - staff working on 3 or more teams at the same time and the members are on different continents
    • Many have not actually met their boss face to face
  • Social networking moving to mainstream - Linkedin for example
  • Professional organizations are starting social networking sites
    • Including religion
  • Being used in politics - campaign strategy
    • How engaging the use of youTube is for asking questions
  • Got into social networking because of the fear factor
    • Can become so fearful of the Internet that you cannot use anything
    • Saw potential legislation could have stopped the ability to uses many of the resources
  • Sponsors were interested in developing a body of knowledge; were not into the questions asked, etc.
  • Aligns with other studies
    • Pew Internet and American Life Project
    • Cable in the Classroom
  • The technologies students are using outside of school, engage them in school if you use them - use for innovation rather than automating instruction
  • Weaving of the Web of Responsiblities on the Cable in the Classroom website
  • Results
    • Spending as much time on social networking as TV
    • Students spend significant time talking about school work
    • And, learning that takes place outside of school
    • 30 percent students have own blog
    • 9-17 year olds ; older kids doing more than the younger
    • Online negative experiences similar to Real Life
      • This study didn't have as a percentage as others that have been cited
    • Parents are becoming involved and engaged in kids online activities
    • Parents believe there are benefits to social networking sites
    • School Administrators - least positive about the use of this technology
  • Recommendations
    • Consider using social networking for staff comminications and professional learning communities
    • Find ways ot harness the educaitonal value of social networking and how to use it in class to engage students
      • Needs to be tied to instructional goal
    • Tool for Engagement
    • Resources
      • ePals
      • Gaggle.net
    • Denmark - student filtering is in their heads rather than technology
    • Reexamine social networking policies
    • Consider first amendment issues
    • Review curriculum to ensure a balance of internet safety, security, and ethics instructiona as well as media literacy
    • Encourage social netowkring companies to increase educational value or support new ventures in the is space
    • Teen Second LIfe