Comments on: Twitter Me This, Twitter Me That… http://kgustin.edublogs.org/2008/10/11/twitter-me-this-twitter-me-that/ Putting Pedagogy in Practical Practice Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:46:10 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Kerrie Gustin http://kgustin.edublogs.org/2008/10/11/twitter-me-this-twitter-me-that/comment-page-1/#comment-15 Kerrie Gustin Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:05:04 +0000 http://kgustin.edublogs.org/?p=11#comment-15 Thanks for the advice teachernz. In my mind currently, it is one more thing that I'm unsure of, for the very reasons you've just mentioned. My rule of thumb is when in doubt...don't. I have a great desire to trust all that I have taught my students about web safety, as well as the example I have set for them by guarding their identities by using "web names" instead of anything even closely resembling their own. We talk a lot about our digital footprints and how once we put something out there - it is out there. One day I did a search of kgustin, and showed them how many of the links that came up were things I had written. That really seemed to be an eye-opener for my little friends. One child asked, "Have you ever said anything bad on the internet?" I explained that I always try to use nice words when I talk to anyone I meet, it doesn't matter whether it is on the computer or not. That way I never have to worry about someone might find when they search my name. We use the isafe curriculum for teaching web safety, and I keep hoping for more parent participation. If we had that, I probably wouldn't be so concerned. Thanks for the advice teachernz. In my mind currently, it is one more thing that I’m unsure of, for the very reasons you’ve just mentioned. My rule of thumb is when in doubt…don’t.

I have a great desire to trust all that I have taught my students about web safety, as well as the example I have set for them by guarding their identities by using “web names” instead of anything even closely resembling their own. We talk a lot about our digital footprints and how once we put something out there – it is out there. One day I did a search of kgustin, and showed them how many of the links that came up were things I had written. That really seemed to be an eye-opener for my little friends. One child asked, “Have you ever said anything bad on the internet?” I explained that I always try to use nice words when I talk to anyone I meet, it doesn’t matter whether it is on the computer or not. That way I never have to worry about someone might find when they search my name.

We use the isafe curriculum for teaching web safety, and I keep hoping for more parent participation. If we had that, I probably wouldn’t be so concerned.

]]> By: teachernz http://kgustin.edublogs.org/2008/10/11/twitter-me-this-twitter-me-that/comment-page-1/#comment-14 teachernz Sat, 07 Feb 2009 02:30:03 +0000 http://kgustin.edublogs.org/?p=11#comment-14 I try to keep facebook for family and friends and don't really use it much. Last year one of my students (8yrs old) wanted to add me as a friend on Bebo. I told him that I didn't think it was such a good idea... but i'd be happy to do it when he'd left school. I think you should look for some information about cybersafety and the permanence of the "digital footprint" that children leave behind rather than onitoring their Facebook use too closely..besides, if they're savvy enough they can hide stuff from view in Facebook. I try to keep facebook for family and friends and don’t really use it much. Last year one of my students (8yrs old) wanted to add me as a friend on Bebo. I told him that I didn’t think it was such a good idea… but i’d be happy to do it when he’d left school.

I think you should look for some information about cybersafety and the permanence of the “digital footprint” that children leave behind rather than onitoring their Facebook use too closely..besides, if they’re savvy enough they can hide stuff from view in Facebook.

]]> By: Kerrie Gustin http://kgustin.edublogs.org/2008/10/11/twitter-me-this-twitter-me-that/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Kerrie Gustin Sat, 07 Feb 2009 02:16:09 +0000 http://kgustin.edublogs.org/?p=11#comment-13 Why, thank you Michael! I am honored that you would want to link to my post. It's nice to know I was not alone in my formerly misguided opinion about Twitter. I am currently reexamining my avoidance of Facebook. I don't really intend to actively participate, but I am beginning to see the value of being able to check-up on my students who have pages of their own. My main concern is the safety of my students. They don't understand the possible dangers of communicating with people they think they know, as cyberspace can feel deceptively secure. I find myself considering establishing my own account just so I can keep an eye on things, in case their parents are unable to keep a watchful eye. What do you think? Why, thank you Michael! I am honored that you would want to link to my post.

It’s nice to know I was not alone in my formerly misguided opinion about Twitter. I am currently reexamining my avoidance of Facebook. I don’t really intend to actively participate, but I am beginning to see the value of being able to check-up on my students who have pages of their own.

My main concern is the safety of my students. They don’t understand the possible dangers of communicating with people they think they know, as cyberspace can feel deceptively secure. I find myself considering establishing my own account just so I can keep an eye on things, in case their parents are unable to keep a watchful eye.

What do you think?

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