Social Networking - The Bad

 (Are they really?)

Following up my previous post on Social Networking - The Good, I need to look at the other side of social networking, "the bad", as it relates to education. All to often teachers are hesitant to use technologies like social media in fear that they are not appropriate or educational enough for the classroom.

Here are some of the challenges faced with using social networking. (I posted some possible solutions to these challenges as well.)

1. Students might not be making the best choices on what they are choosing to do and say. (Teach responsibility and rules and monitor student use with consequences as needed.)
2. Students may be accidentally exposed to things that are inappropriate. (Teach students what to do when something inappropriate does pop up, close the window and report it to a teacher, etc.)
3. Resistance from administration, parents and colleagues. (Have a clear plan of action and be an advocate by clearly explaining how it can be used and its benefits, throw in some research and examples as needed.)
4. Difficulty choosing and implementing social networking in the classroom. (Start out small and use educational versions of social networking sites, take one small step at a time.)

Now that you have the good and the bad will you or will you not use social networking in your classroom?

Social Networking - The Good

Social networking is has exploded and is now part of everything we do. It is no surprise that it has become part of the classroom and the education world.

Here are some of the reasons social networking is good for and should be used in education.

1. It allows students to reach out to other students with similar interests instead of those in the immediate area. 
2. Students can connect to and follow famous and important people and their lives/work.
3. It allows them to get social networking experience in a safe environment where they can learn and practice the rules. 
4. Students can take ownership over their thoughts and shy students can come out of their shell.
5. It provides an authentic and engaging learning environment for students. 

With these and many other benefits in mind it is up to you to decide how and if you will use social networking in the classroom. 

What other benefits of social networking are there?