I thought that I had a pretty in-depth knowledge of what social networks entailed. Although most of what I had read in the associated readings for this post, I realized that I really only had a very narrow knowledge of the many topics that were discussed in the readings. I have also realized that I will probably have only touched on a few important issues and topics in this journal entry, knowing that I will hopefully absorb more as this course unfolds. Having said all of this I will try to touch on some key revelations that stood out for me.
What stood out for me when I read Julia Hengstler's blog, "What Parents Should Know Part 1: Basic Understanding of social Media & Digital Communications" (Friday, May 24, 2013 was how quick I was to skim over the "terms of use" section on sites that I have signed up for, such as, Twitter and Facebook. I must admit that I really don't want to read "boring" stuff. Now, however, I will make an effort to actually read the "terms of use" sections. I didn't really get it that I was "trading (my) information to use their services" (Hengstler, 2013,05 24 "What Parents Should Know Part 1: Basic Understanding of Social Media & Digital Communications.
http://jhengstler.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/what-parents-should-know-part-1-basic-understanding-of-social-media-digital-communications/) I liked the analogy of riding a bicycle that Julia Hengstler (2013,05 24 "What Parents Should Know Part 1: Basic Understanding of Social Media & Digital Communications.
http://jhengstler.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/what-parents-should-know-part-1-basic-understanding-of-social-media-digital-communications/) mentions. It is so true that sometimes I forget that there are some things that shouldn't be taken for granted. It is important to have those training wheels on when we are using social media with our children. It is also important to walk them through all the ups and downs of the social media world so that they do not become victims of cyber bullying or leaving themselves open to cyber predators. This is a very serious matter for me as I really want to have my students learn about and use social networking sites, however, I am very reluctant at this point until I can get a better handle on the safety protocols, and after reading Julia Hengstler's, "What Parents Should Know Part 1: Basic Understanding of Social Media & Digital Communications."
(2013, 05 24, http://jhengstler.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/what-parents-should-know-part-1-basic-understanding-of-social-media-digital-communications/) become even more aware of making sure that my students and parents are walked through the process and safety protocols of social media well before we delve into the social media arena. Something that I have just learned through reading Julia Hengstler's above mentioned article is that I thought that I had some idea around what is appropriate to post as far as comments and pictures and of privacy procedures, however for example, I did not fully realize the implications of what a student posts as private can be redistributed without their consent very quickly. I also got to thinking about what sites there were out there that would accommodate young students that would be more fitting than Facebook (https://www.facebook.com) or twitter (https://twitter.com). I did a little exploratory searching and came across "Common Sense Media" (http://www.commonsensemedia.org) that had examples and reviews of some social networks for kids. (http://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-lists/social-networking-kids). They give ratings for each site and give a fairly detailed review. One such site that is mentioned is Everloop (http://www.everloop.com/) where children can sign up, with parental guidance, usually between the ages of eight and thirteen. Children can sign in safely and parents have easy monitoring access. You can be sure that I will pay close attention to the "terms of use" agreement and privacy protocols when I am checking out the networking sites for kids that the Common Sense Media site reviewed. I am also looking forward to looking at the Common Sense Media website in more detail as it has a lot of interesting links and resources from digital citizenship to reviews of innovative tools.
Another point that I was not aware of was, as Lankshear (2011) mentions, how social networking, such as, Facebook (https://www.facebook.com) can be used as a literacy tool or "literacy format". It stands to reason that when you engage people in what their interested in, that they will be more likely to be involved. People need to read a post and understand it in order to make a connection. When that connection is made a response is usually forthcoming whether it is by clicking "like" or adding a comment of their own. I can see this as being a powerful tool for young students with the right social networking tool.
I found the lists of questions that Julia Hengstler, Hengstler (2013, “Social Media Overview 2013, https://d2l.viu.ca/d2l/le/content/37848/viewContent/441654/View) shares in the overview are useful and straightforward. I was aware of most of the items in the questions lists. I was not aware, however of making sure that there are clear rules and procedures around dealing with incidents, as I don't think there are formal guidelines for this. I will check with my principal. I was also not aware of the importance of referencing my "opinions" as not necessarily representative of my employer. This is something else to think about when I am posting anything to do with my educational endeavours with my students.
I also found it unnerving, while not surprising, while reading the Wikipedia (2013) entry on "Social Media" ( 2013, "Social Media". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media) how there is an increase in cyber bullying and sexual predators and a decrease in face to face interactions. Even though I was aware of this, it is a reminder of how we need to make sure that the safety processes and digital citizenships are fully incorporated into our education system from an early age. I say early age because there are sites, such as, "Club Penguin" (http://www.clubpenguin.com/?country=CA) geared toward very young children, where there is a community of players who interact through chat.
I realize that I have not even touched on the myriad of information that is important to absorb yet. I think the most pressing issue for me is to get a handle on the safety policies for our district to make sure everyone is on the same page and that there is a clear policy so that I can move forward with engaging my students in the world of social networking.
REFERENCES:
Club Penguin (2013) http://www.clubpenguin.com/?country=CA
Common Sense Media. (2013) retrieved from: http://www.commonsensemedia.org
Hengstler, J. (2013, 05 24). What Parents Should Know Part 1: Basic Understanding of Social Media & Digital Communications. Retrieved from
http://jhengstler.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/what-parents-should-know-part-1-basic-understanding-of-social-media-digital-communications/
Hengstler, J. (2013). Social media overview. OLTD 506 2013. https://d2l.viu.ca/d2l/le/content/37848/viewContent/441654/View
Lankshear, C., & Knobel, M. (2011). New Literacies. Berkshire, England: Open University Press.
Picture: retrieved from: www.ethanhein.com
Wikipedia. (2013). Social Media. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media
Wikipedia. (2013). Social Networking. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_networking
What stood out for me when I read Julia Hengstler's blog, "What Parents Should Know Part 1: Basic Understanding of social Media & Digital Communications" (Friday, May 24, 2013 was how quick I was to skim over the "terms of use" section on sites that I have signed up for, such as, Twitter and Facebook. I must admit that I really don't want to read "boring" stuff. Now, however, I will make an effort to actually read the "terms of use" sections. I didn't really get it that I was "trading (my) information to use their services" (Hengstler, 2013,05 24 "What Parents Should Know Part 1: Basic Understanding of Social Media & Digital Communications.
http://jhengstler.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/what-parents-should-know-part-1-basic-understanding-of-social-media-digital-communications/) I liked the analogy of riding a bicycle that Julia Hengstler (2013,05 24 "What Parents Should Know Part 1: Basic Understanding of Social Media & Digital Communications.
http://jhengstler.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/what-parents-should-know-part-1-basic-understanding-of-social-media-digital-communications/) mentions. It is so true that sometimes I forget that there are some things that shouldn't be taken for granted. It is important to have those training wheels on when we are using social media with our children. It is also important to walk them through all the ups and downs of the social media world so that they do not become victims of cyber bullying or leaving themselves open to cyber predators. This is a very serious matter for me as I really want to have my students learn about and use social networking sites, however, I am very reluctant at this point until I can get a better handle on the safety protocols, and after reading Julia Hengstler's, "What Parents Should Know Part 1: Basic Understanding of Social Media & Digital Communications."
(2013, 05 24, http://jhengstler.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/what-parents-should-know-part-1-basic-understanding-of-social-media-digital-communications/) become even more aware of making sure that my students and parents are walked through the process and safety protocols of social media well before we delve into the social media arena. Something that I have just learned through reading Julia Hengstler's above mentioned article is that I thought that I had some idea around what is appropriate to post as far as comments and pictures and of privacy procedures, however for example, I did not fully realize the implications of what a student posts as private can be redistributed without their consent very quickly. I also got to thinking about what sites there were out there that would accommodate young students that would be more fitting than Facebook (https://www.facebook.com) or twitter (https://twitter.com). I did a little exploratory searching and came across "Common Sense Media" (http://www.commonsensemedia.org) that had examples and reviews of some social networks for kids. (http://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-lists/social-networking-kids). They give ratings for each site and give a fairly detailed review. One such site that is mentioned is Everloop (http://www.everloop.com/) where children can sign up, with parental guidance, usually between the ages of eight and thirteen. Children can sign in safely and parents have easy monitoring access. You can be sure that I will pay close attention to the "terms of use" agreement and privacy protocols when I am checking out the networking sites for kids that the Common Sense Media site reviewed. I am also looking forward to looking at the Common Sense Media website in more detail as it has a lot of interesting links and resources from digital citizenship to reviews of innovative tools.
Another point that I was not aware of was, as Lankshear (2011) mentions, how social networking, such as, Facebook (https://www.facebook.com) can be used as a literacy tool or "literacy format". It stands to reason that when you engage people in what their interested in, that they will be more likely to be involved. People need to read a post and understand it in order to make a connection. When that connection is made a response is usually forthcoming whether it is by clicking "like" or adding a comment of their own. I can see this as being a powerful tool for young students with the right social networking tool.
I found the lists of questions that Julia Hengstler, Hengstler (2013, “Social Media Overview 2013, https://d2l.viu.ca/d2l/le/content/37848/viewContent/441654/View) shares in the overview are useful and straightforward. I was aware of most of the items in the questions lists. I was not aware, however of making sure that there are clear rules and procedures around dealing with incidents, as I don't think there are formal guidelines for this. I will check with my principal. I was also not aware of the importance of referencing my "opinions" as not necessarily representative of my employer. This is something else to think about when I am posting anything to do with my educational endeavours with my students.
I also found it unnerving, while not surprising, while reading the Wikipedia (2013) entry on "Social Media" ( 2013, "Social Media". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media) how there is an increase in cyber bullying and sexual predators and a decrease in face to face interactions. Even though I was aware of this, it is a reminder of how we need to make sure that the safety processes and digital citizenships are fully incorporated into our education system from an early age. I say early age because there are sites, such as, "Club Penguin" (http://www.clubpenguin.com/?country=CA) geared toward very young children, where there is a community of players who interact through chat.
I realize that I have not even touched on the myriad of information that is important to absorb yet. I think the most pressing issue for me is to get a handle on the safety policies for our district to make sure everyone is on the same page and that there is a clear policy so that I can move forward with engaging my students in the world of social networking.
REFERENCES:
Club Penguin (2013) http://www.clubpenguin.com/?country=CA
Common Sense Media. (2013) retrieved from: http://www.commonsensemedia.org
Hengstler, J. (2013, 05 24). What Parents Should Know Part 1: Basic Understanding of Social Media & Digital Communications. Retrieved from
http://jhengstler.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/what-parents-should-know-part-1-basic-understanding-of-social-media-digital-communications/
Hengstler, J. (2013). Social media overview. OLTD 506 2013. https://d2l.viu.ca/d2l/le/content/37848/viewContent/441654/View
Lankshear, C., & Knobel, M. (2011). New Literacies. Berkshire, England: Open University Press.
Picture: retrieved from: www.ethanhein.com
Wikipedia. (2013). Social Media. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media
Wikipedia. (2013). Social Networking. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_networking