Navigating Social Media

Tracy GaluskiMark Ness

Amy Sacco

Navigating Social Media

In this brief presentation we will summarize our work with social media – starting with the pros and cons of using facebook, moving on to safety considerations and ending with best practices related to its use with student learners from adolescents to adulthood.

By the end of this presentation you will be able to: Define pros and cons of using social media,

specifically facebook, Describe concerns related to safety, and Define best practices related to safety.

Learning Objectives

Students – children through adulthood

Who are our Learners

Social media sites are “web-based services that allow individuals to:◦ Construct a public or semi-public profile within a

bounded system◦ Articulate a list of other users with whom they

share a connection, and ◦ View and traverse their list of connections and

those made by others within the system” (Boyd & Ellison, 2008, p. 211).

What are Social Media/Network Sites?

Simple to use Speaks to our learners –

they are likely already familiar with this technology◦ Learners are crafting on-line lives that seamlessly meld

with their off-line world (Muñoz & Towner, 2009, p. 2). Easy to post and comment, increasing

likelihood for participation Immediate feedback can be recognized and

recorded – e.g., monitor “likes”

Pros of Facebook

Many teens registered on social networking sites, and are active users (Muñoz & Towner, 2009)◦ Registration for individuals age 12-17 grew by 149%

between May 2006 and May 2007 (Lipsman, 2007)◦ Pew Internet and American Life Project (2007) study found

that 55% of 12-17 were using social networking sites (Lenhart & Madden, 2007)

Offers an opportunity to complete regularly scheduled discussions between teachers/faculty and learners

Speaks to our learners – they are likely already familiar with this technology

Supports socially constructed learning concepts

Pros of Facebook

Easy to add posts and comments, increasing likelihood of participation

Immediate feedback can be recognized, responded to and recorded – e.g., monitoring “likes”

Pew Internet and American Life study (2007) also found that “48% of teens visit social networking websites daily or more often; 26% visit once a day, and 22% visit several times a day (Lenhart and Madden, 2007)

Pros of Facebook

Offers an opportunity to complete regularly scheduled discussions between teachers/faculty and learners

Supports socially constructed learning concepts Students become engaged in learning outside the

classroom – learning becomes part of the fabric of their life

Allows teachers/faculty to act as “netiquette” roll models, teaching learners to become good digital citizens and online leaders

Pros of Facebook, cont.

For the instructor - keeping personal and professional life separate

Concerns with privacy and safety◦ “Creepy treehouse” (Young, 2008)◦ Describes technological innovations by faculty

members that make students’ skin crawl. (Young, 2008)

Keeping the learning conversation focused More informal General concern – parents’ concern Adhering to school policies

Challenges

Warning!!!

Online Safety:◦ Internet safety, or online safety, is the knowledge of

maximizing the user's personal safety and security risks on private information and property associated with using the internet, and the self-protection from computer crime in general.

Computer Crime:◦ Computer crime encompasses a broad range of activities.

Generally, however, it may be divided into two categories: (1) crimes that target computers directly [computer viruses, malware] (2) crimes facilitated by computer networks or devices, the primary target of which is independent of the computer network or device [cyberstalking, fraud, identity theft, information warfare].

Safety Considerations

[Sources: x x]

How Can We Stay Safe and Secure Online?◦ Secure Your Passwords◦ Use Secure Networks◦ Report Abuse and Illegal Activity◦ Avoid Scams◦ Lock Your Screen or Device◦ Prevent Identity Theft◦ Keep Your Service Clean [Antivirus Software]

Safety Considerations

[Source: x]

How Can We Stay Safe and Secure Online in the Classroom? ◦ Use Filtering Products◦ Create Acceptable Use Policies

Parents Students Teachers

Facebook in the Classroom ◦ Maintain closed groups / small pages◦ Customize Privacy Settings ◦ Report Abuse

Safety Considerations

Start at the Family Safety Center for safety information, tools, and resources for parents and educators.

Work with families to ensure that everyone is comfortable with your plan.

Teach students how to use privacy settings Designate Facebook use as an option rather

than a requirement

Facebook in the Classroom

Start with a plan and carefully consider your options before you begin

Keep personal and public lives separate Set clear expectations for conversation –

discussion board etiquette Use the settings to control content, activity,

posts, etc. Facebook offers an excellent guide to help

you get started Posting Best Practices

Best Practices

1. Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.

2. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.

3. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything

4. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.

5. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.

6. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.

Rules of ConductHere are some sample rules that were posted by my hometown paper – The Aurora Advertiser

Facebook: Family Safety Center Facebook: Tools for Parents and Educators Scholastic: Internet Safety for Schools Google: How You Can Stay Safe and Secure Online Facebook for Educators and Community Leaders Facebook for School Counselors

Useful Links!

Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B. (2008). Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13, 210-230. Retrieved on December 4, 2013 from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x/abstract

Lenhart, A. & Madden, M. (2007). Social Networking Websites and Teens: An Overview. Retrieved on December 4, 2013 from http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/198/report_display.asp

Lipsman, A. (2007, July 5). Facebook sees flood of new traffic from teenagers and adults. Retrieved on December 5, 2013 from http://www.comscore.com/Insights/Press_Releases/2007/07/Teenagers_and_Adults_Flood_Facebook

References

Munoz, C. & Towner, T. (2009). Opening facebook: how to use facebook in the college classroom. Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education conference, Charleston, South Carolina. Retrieved on November 29, 2013 from http://www46.homepage.villanova.edu/john.immerwahr/TP101/Facebook.pdf

Young, J (2008, August 18). When professors create social networks for classess, some students see a ‘creepy treehouse’. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved on December 6, 2013 from http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/when-professors-create-social-networks-for-classes-some-students-see-a-creepy-treehouse/4176

References, cont.

Conclusion!