Social Media Reflection

With Today's technology, I feel like using Social networks or social media for education can be a bad thing, but also a good thing if used respectfully and responsibly.

I am going to take the position that networks such as facebook, myspace, and similar ones such as these, are no good for education.  As a person who was "once upon a time" in the business world, working with professional colleagues and interests alike, social networks were beginning to explode and allow me to find old friends, colleagues, and yes, even girlfriends and re-connect.  I could investigate what was going on in their life as they could mine.  It was a neat experience, and sort of fun.  BUT for a guy like me, it was simply too much work to remain "linked in" at all times with everyone.  I kept an account UNTIL:

Enter Torbett the teacher.  It was as if a new fresh realm of bored, homeworkless, needy teenagers sought refuge in Mr. Torbett's facebook pages.  Hundreds of minors flooded my friend request lists wanting to peek into my personal life like it was a new and undiscovered world.  It scared me.  I was immediately put into a strange position of either denying all of them, some of them, or none of them.  There was not a win for me.  As an USAF guy, I am fully aware of the things that can happen when you are put into a lose, lose situation.  This was an instance.

I found myself explaining to students "why" I chose not to let them into my personal life.  They were unwilling to accept my explanations and hurt and felt as though I did not like them.  It was a tough spot.     Then to follow, Media stories begin to emerge of inappropriate activities between teachers and students on such networks.  NO WAY!  I'M OUT!

In my opinion, it must be made clear that I am the teacher and that they are the student.  We are not friends, but mentors.  It was in Doc's class this summer that I heard a speaker say that teens are adults who consistently make the wrong decisions.  It is my job to help guide them.  Not socially, but responsibly.  My dad was NOT my friend, he was my disciplinarian, mentor, guide, and hero.

Networks geared towards education as a MAIN theme (such as LORE), are wonderful social landing pads for both students and teachers to effectively collaborate socially.