I’m telling you for the last time

You’d think then that school divisions would be more likely to allow walled-garden-style social networking sites (if it was simply a matter of protecting students from predators). That’s obviously not borne out in the real world, as more and more districts block sites like Facebook (semi-walled) and do not allow installations of networking applications like Skype and Elgg. I get frustrated attempting to explain the educational value of a site/application I want to use to the IT folks, and all the more so because I don’t think I should have to. Unfortunately, in some instances, I’m out in front of the curve from the IT people, and more so from the rest of the staff (it helps that I teach CPT), so they don’t see the potential/value in some of the things I’m trying to do.

Thanks. I feel honored to get a video response.

Again, I agree with you; I just wanted a clarification as I want to have a well reasoned response in case I receive a similar question.

After reading this research, and because I’m an avid facebook user without ever having heard of any instances of sexual predators through any of my friends, I think that there is a lot more hype than there should be. Of course there are going to be a few perverts out there who try to take advantage of some young people, but lets face it… there are going to be bad people in any venue trying to use it to their own ends. Instead of blocking out completely great applications that could really help young students network with each other to work on projects together or ask and discuss questions, we should be trying to moderate these types of websites to help protect students. Lets face it… they’re just going to find a way to go to it anyways. If we worked to help make it safer (for instance, having “groups” in facebook to be used as class forums that a teacher could watch over, to make sure only students of that class were invited) than we could use these sites to their potential and keep students safe, all at the same time.

This post reminded me of a discussion I had with the sports editor of our local newspaper. I was talking about how we at our school were developing rules to protect the identities of our students. However, newspapers, which now have an Internet presence, post full names, pictures, schedules, and even directions to games. When I made this point and asked him if he thought it posed a danger to children, the editor admitted he had never thought of it that way.

There is a post that “I felt went over the top in terms of etiquette and manners”, titled; I’m telling you for the last time”. I believe that you were referring to the question that I asked at Showcase (although the quote that you included in your post was not completely accurate). It was not my intent to “bring an important conversation about learning to a grinding halt”. I was actually hoping to get information (from someone that I respect and trust) to use when I am questioned for using photos (of my own children) online. I am on your side. Your post made it seem like I was the enemy, against all things good only after posing what I still believe was a fair question. I was very offended by the title of your post – “I’m telling you for the last time”. It implies that this is information that everyone should know & that it is a complete waste of your time to have to discuss it yet again. I have only been on my Web 2.0 learning journey for the past year. I have completed the “Meet the Stars” online course and I have subscribed to your blog for the past year. I am not an idiot (although I did feel like one after reading your rant). I am far behind you in terms of Web 2.0 learning, however I am leaps & bounds ahead of many other educators. If you are indeed “frustrated with the lack of knowledge that folks have about this issue”, I would hope that you would use the fantastic opportunity that you have (via your presentations & via this blog) to teach not chastise.