Activity Reflection #3
I never really thought about the importance of promoting your self as an educator on the web, after researching and reading through all the web pages for this week’s assignment I think it’s a great idea. For this weeks activity we were given the challenge of creating our own “about” page linked to our blog page. First I looked at all the example “about pages” linked to this week’s module. My favorite was http://teachpaperless.blogspot.com by Shelly Blake-Plock, I recommend reading her blog called, Think Before You Post. She discusses a case where a teacher lost her job for something she posted to her blog about her students. As an educator you have to think about everything you post or display on the internet. I love the quote, “Google never forgets” by Seth Godin, it is very true. Good or bad, information about you is out there, and in the case of that teacher what she posted could cost her job.
When planning to create a blog and an “about page” you have to take into consideration which direction you want to go in. Is your blog going to be something that is linked to your class if you’re a teacher? Or is it something you have just for fun? For me it is definitely something I am creating now geared towards teaching in the future. I feel that creating a classroom blog gives you as the educator the opportunity to reach the “digital student”, by creating a virtual writing space for them to communicate more effectively with you. There are many benefits to creating classroom blogging, like keeping track of classroom projects, create classroom story boards, and create online classroom discussions. (Gunter, 2010, 191)
Reflecting back on this week’s activity I learned that protecting your online identity is important. With social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Mypsace, you have to determine what information you place on these sites. As a soon to be educator, I have limited who can see what on my Facebook, and I am about to delete Myspace, (I’m never on there anyhow). Its not that I’m hiding anything but I do feel that future students should not be able to see anything on there anyway. What you put out there can come back to haunt you later.
Looking forward, I can not wait till I have the opportunity to show what I have learned to my future students. I feel that education is expanding outside the classroom, giving students new ways of learning. Integrating a blog into teaching helps to open up new experiences to the students, helping them improve on their writing skills, research skills and helping them to create their own online identity.
Reference:
Teachers Discovering Computers: Integrating Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom, 6th Ed., Shelly, Cashman, Gunter, and Gunter. Course Technology - Thompson Publishing (2010), 191.
Darla statedI recommend reading her blog called, Think Before You Post. She discusses a case where a teacher lost her job for something she posted to her blog about her students. As an educator you have to think about everything you post or display on the internet.
ReplyDeleteI have also been thinking about all the teachers that have lost their jobs because of technology. I even had a conversation with my administration who stated that they did not like the idea of us posting information for the world to see our thoughts. I did like the idea of having an on-line identity. I am also worried now even about Facebook...are there pictures out there that I would not want others to see.
Darla,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post this week because you brought a nice perspective to the topic. The link you shared (Think Before You Post) exposed one of the dangerous sides of the internet. You really hit this home when you said, "Its not that I’m hiding anything but I do feel that future students should not be able to see anything on there anyway. What you put out there can come back to haunt you later."
The fact of the matter is that while teachers are people, too, they have a special place in the world that they must be aware of even outside of the classroom. In the orientation I went to through UCF before I could begin my Teaching Internship, nearly an hour was spent detailing the possible pitfalls and trappings of the Internet once they enter a classroom as an authority figure. They shared articles of teachers fired, and gave very specific instructions on how to restrict one's Facebook profile, all in the effort to save us trouble down the road. Some in that room balked at the idea of having to change their online identity just because they were an Intern, but others like myself took it to heart. If we insist on using fun sites like Facebook, we must also insist on using every aspect of it including the Privacy Settings, even beyond the classroom. I love my boyfriend's mother, and I accepted her friend request, but do I let her see every little musing I make or picture I post? Good lord, no. I take the same attitude with my co-workers (and even bosses), and I feel the same applies to students. If you Friend them - which I would never recommend - be extra careful.
One last note, I love that picture of Lincoln you used for your profile. Lincoln's one of my favorites, though Teddy Roosevelt comes pretty closely behind.