Skip to main content

When Young Teachers Go Wild on the Web

Popularity Report

Total Popularity Score: 0
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

Rank

Bookmark History

Saved by 14 people (0 private), first by anonymouse user on 2008-04-29


Public Sticky notes

The "googleableness" of today's society is something that needs to be instructed to our kids using the internet. The degree to which we make ourselves public can be both positive and negative. It is my job as a teacher using technology to demonstrate for students how to create the largest positive footprint possible.

Highlighted by bvoight

The "googleableness" of today's society is something that needs to be instructed to our kids using the internet. The degree to which we make ourselves public can be both positive and negative. It is my job as a teacher using technology to demonstrate for students how to create the largest positive footprint possible.

Highlighted by bvoight

Do the risque pages matter if teacher performance is not hindered and if students, parents and school officials don't see them? At what point are these young teachers judged by the standards for public officials?

Highlighted by mseifman

on 2008-11-18 by mseifman

I think this is a valid question to ask, especially if the school is developing a policy to cover use of social networking if their school is represented

"I know that employers will look at that page, and I need to be more careful," said Webster, adding that other Prince William teachers have warned her about her page. "At the same time, my work and social lives are completely separate. I just feel they shouldn't take it seriously. I am young. I just turned 22."

Highlighted by mseifman

on 2008-11-18 by mseifman

Hmm... then the wise decision would be to have a work and a social site that are also completely separate....

Local school officials say they have no policies concerning social networking pages or blogs kept by teachers. But they said that online improprieties would fall under general guidelines requiring proper behavior in and outside school and that sketchy Web sites would be handled case by case.

Highlighted by mseifman

on 2008-11-18 by mseifman

I'm not sure that's enough. In this new digital age, the virtual identies established by social networking sites, gaming sites, and so one, should conform to some kind of code of conduct established by the school - similar to the code of conduct established by IMB at http://domino.research.ibm.com/comm/research_projects.nsf/pages/virtualworlds.IBMVirtualWorldGuidelines.html. I think each school should be including something similar in their guidelines for both teachers and students, especially if their school is going to be mentioned in any way on these sites...

Teachers caught with inappropriate Web sites could get a suspension for a first-time offense, said Michael Simpson, assistant general counsel for the National Education Association, a teachers union with more than 3 million members. If they can prove that no one at school complained about the page, then they might prevail in a personnel dispute "because there would be no evidence of any real or potential harm to the students or school," he said.

Highlighted by mseifman

on 2008-11-18 by mseifman

If they can prove no one complained about the page then they MIGHT prevail in a personnel dispute. Again, I go back to my previous comment - clarify the policies for what is appropriate/inappropriate in this new digital age. Teachers are people who are entitled to a social life - if their social life in no way references the school, workplace, job, etc. - why hold them accountable? And - if the teacher truly feels that posting such things on their social site is acceptable, then they should be very careful to make that site private or someone keep others from clearly recognizing the teacher as associated with that school..