In last Friday’s Times Educational Supplement an article I had written was published about the use of social networking in schools. It seems to me that we are getting to a point where children in schools are experiencing a hidden social curriculum that we are no longer part of, this is especially the case for their use of social networking. In my own words:
Social networking should be taught more widely and in more depth in schools. No longer are we able to stick our heads in the sand about these communication tools. Nor should educators distance themselves from using them.
The paragraphs that were missing from the piece went as follows:
This is not simply about how much time students spend learning about social networking in GCSE ICT. This is an issue for every subject and teacher, a system wide issue, a social issue that needs the whole school to act, and it won’t just take the one or two teachers who use Twitter or write a blog to do it.
Those of us who are willing should take steps to develop a more supportive and positive ethos around the role of social networking in learning, school and society. Those who are unwilling need to get out of the way, because where we continue to remain idle we further disadvantage our students.
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I’ve just been at a school with a “no phones in class” policy which is utterly unenforceable. As a result, students are clearly using social media in class, but the teacher can’t engage with them about how they’re using it, or start any sort of conversation without admitting that they’re failing to enforce the school policy. As a result, social media was never used for educational purposes, and at best was a benign distraction. Schools need to move on from blanket bans to acceptable use policies and then teachers might be in a position to discuss social media sensibly with their students.
Thanks for this, I am aware of a small group of teachers that I interact with on twitter who are bringing social media to primary schools, its very exciting seeing what they are doing, not just using it for their own CPD, but using with the children and teaching them. Like everything doesn’t it take time to filter through education?
As a parent, I attended a special evening session at my son’s school six months ago, intended to inform parents about the danger of cyber-bullying and general online safety. At one point a show of hands was requested of parents who had Facebook accounts. I was one of only a handful who raised their hand. My son (then 13 years old) had had a FB account about six months.
I was amazed how few parents were aware of online social networking, and I almost felt as if fingers were pointed at me and the other more aware parents, for allowing our children to participate in the online world.
The evening was useful, but I wonder how many non-technical parents really knew what to do with the information they had received. It was a good idea but delivery was poor and there has been no sustained follow-up.
I agree with your comments and think that the biggest barrier is the stigma that surrounds the whole issue. Social media on its own is accepted by the majority of the population, but when you put social media and schools together, it turns into a whole different animal.
I think it should be encouraged, developed, and taken advantage of. We should be teaching kids how to use it productively, and appropriately and not trying to ignore it in the hope that it might go away!
Yes there are issues that complicate its use, but with some creative thinking and some considered forethought I know that it can still be used positively as a learning tool. We talk to our students about alcohol, drugs, careers, and a whole gamut of other topics, so why not social media? For many, it will be THE most relevant of all these topics, and the one that they really want the most guidance on.
I would never advocate being in that position – using social media as a means to self-initiated learning and professional is very distinct from putting yourself in a situation as you suggest.
That said, many teachers need that sort of better understanding too – just because teachers (and students) have Facebook account does not = comprehensive understanding of social interaction and learning on the web.
My worry is that if schools get too distracted and caught up in the legal ramifications and al of the what-ifs they will just cast it aside as something unimportant. And yet it is one of the most defining current cultural phenomena.
In which case you’re right, there really isn’t an issue. I assumed when you said “nor should educators distance themselves from using them”, that you were suggesting engaging in the sort of direct communication that I was referring to. I’ve heard one particularly well-known speaker on the issue preach exactly that with apparently no idea of the pitfalls they were leading their colleagues into.
There are some grey areas but this is assuming that there is direct communication between student and teacher, I am not suggested that.
It is much more about teachers taking a role in help students understand this social landscape – how to navigate it effectively and with care – as well as using it in a positive way.
While I agree wholeheartedly, a major barrier to wider take-up is also the legal position of schools encouraging students to use social networking (even if they are already using it on their own time). Any social networking system which allows closed, private communication between teacher and student opens up professionals to accusations (founded or unfounded) of an inappropriate relationship. If a school-wide policy was seen to be encouraging his, they could potentially be breaching their legal duty of care to students and staff.
It’s not a position I agree with, but I have heard from legal experts who believe a case based on this scenario may be only a matter of time. Until clear and binding legal guidance on what schools should (and shouldn’t) do with these tools is forthcoming, we are on shaky ground in an area where even an accusation without charge can destroy careers.
I like your comment, “Those who are unwilling need to get out of the way, because where we continue to remain idle we further disadvantage our students.” As someone who has never taught, and let her certification expire, I am trying to renew it so I can start a teaching career at my late age of 44. Had I NOT had to go back to school and be required take the difficult yet absolutely NECESSARY class of microcomputing, and gotten a job, I would have been completely lost! My students would have suffered terribly-I see that now. I am learning what I will teach, and feel that your comment [above] should be the catalyst to bringing in ‘new blood’, or those anxious to get in the classroom and learn WITH the students as well as teach them. I feel that I have absorbed more about modern computers and technology in the last month than in the last ten years, and it is wonderful! Thank you for that insight!