Social Networks and Privacy Protection

A majority of students are very familiar with the internet and the endless possibilities associated with it. By brining this knowledge into the classroom and applying it to learning holds great potential. Integrating technology into education brings about a whole new set of concerns that must be considered. The goal for every teacher is to find the balance between technological benefits and keeping students safe as they explore the digital world.

One of the most exciting digital tools is social networking. Websites such as Twitter and Facebook have become centers of innovation, progress and connections. Social networking gives everyone a voice and the ability to communicate with virtually unlimited resources. This nod to collaboration and its constructivist nature allows for a creative outlet in education. With the ability to empower students and give them some control of their learning potential, this type of technology enhances student-centered instruction for the 21st century.

With every positive aspect of social networking and other online tools, there comes a host of possible negative consequences. Although they do not outweigh the benefits, they must be proactively addressed. Keeping students safe in regard to privacy and protecting them from inappropriate material is crucial in a successful technology-based learning environment. Legal issues do come into play and it is not something to take lightly. It is up to parents and teachers to inform students on the pitfalls of social networking and should take the steps necessary to guide and direct students to make good decisions. Although so much of staying safe is commonsense, students need to be taught what is acceptable and the possible consequences for misuse.

"Social networking tools, have almost become indispensable for teenagers, who often think their lives are private as long as their parents are not reading their journals" (Barnes, 2006).

Parents should really get involved and set boundaries. This awareness and control will help students as they move into social networking for academic purposes. Teachers and parents can work together to help students develop guidelines and online "commonsense" that will encourage communication, collaboration and creativity without jeopardizing privacy and safety. Creating an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is an important step in getting all parties on the same page and working toward the best online learning environment.

"Protection of teens is a parental responsibility. But the education of teens and their parents to the growing privacy problem will require an educational effort that involves schools, social networking organizations, and government agencies" (Barnes, 2006).

Using Technology In The Classroom

"Part of the allure of blogs is the easy way they move between the personal and the profound" (Nardi, Schiano, Gumbrecht &Swartz, 2007, p 46).

Personally, I think blogs and other digital tools can have a profound impact on teaching and student learning in the 21st century. After reading the article, Why We Blog (Nardi, Schiano, Gumbrecht &Swartz, 2007), I started to realize how blogs can have a real place in education. Blogs document, act as a catharsis, inspire ideas and connect people (Nardi, Schiano, Gumbrecht & Swartz, 2007). What a great tool for teachers and students to use to enhance the learning environment. Materials learned can be reviewed and reinforced. Questions can be asked and reflections contemplated. Students can be prompted to think critically, problem solve and work collaboratively with peers and community resources. The possibilities are endless with the versatile nature of blogs. Class discussion and knowledge formation doesn't have to end when the bell rings. Blogs also give students and teachers a chance to be creative and innovative by expressing ideas, opinions and posing new avenues for inquiry.

Creating and sharing knowledge in an up-to-date fashion can give students a learning experience closely resembling the way in which they share and receive information in their daily lives. Along with blogs, teachers can employ wikis, podcasts, web 2.0 software, photo sharing and the endless amounts of educational websites to aid in students becoming active learners, engaged in the best modern technology has to offer. As with any resource, the benefits don't come without aspects to be concerned about. A technology is only as good as your ability to use it. Keeping up to date is essential and knowing how to use a tool doesn't necessarily mean it is being used to assist learning and higher order thinking abilities. This takes time, pre-planning and pre-assessing students. Individualizing the technology used to the students involved will have the best outcome. Safety is an issue as well. Privacy and appropriateness must be addressed. In addition, validity of the information shared can be an issue. Students also need to know there are consequences for misuse or abuse of technology used for learning purposes. Another thing to consider is how technology can assist and accommodate different ability levels and learning styles. All students learn differently and at different rates. Technology can bridge the variations in any given class. Differentiation is essential, but it doesn't mean students have to be isolated. All the more with technology, differentiation can be collaborative and social. Students can learn from each other and work together to achieve understanding and perspective. "In general, students at all levels show more interest in their work, and their ability to locate and reflect upon their work is greatly enhanced, as are the opportunities for collaborative learning" (Richardson, 2010, p28).

Other than using facebook to keep in touch with friends and family, I am new to creating and utilizing digital tools. In many of my college classes I have been exposed to digital tools, but never used the tools to their fullest extent. It is my aspiration that I can take what I have learned and am currently learning to create a positive technology based learning environment for my students. Making real-life connections and making information meaningful is the first step in transforming information into knowledge. Technology is an integral part of most students' lives. Bringing this element into the realm of education allows students to more easily connect with what they are being taught.