Part I: On Networking, a Reflection from #Googlegti

Why Part I? I have a feeling this will be a multi-part reflection because I still have so many things running through my head. For this post, I'm going to focus on the importance of networking. I've written about this before, but my experience at GTI hammered it home.

First, when I was accepted  to the Google Teacher Academy in 2008 (truly a highlight of my career) I told some friends and asked them some questions about it. Of course, none of them had applied or were going to GTA, so they couldn't help me much (though not for lack of trying). When I got to Mountain View the day of the event, I saw that people were talking to each other like old friends. I wondered how that was possible given that participants came from all over the world.

It turns out that many of the participants had connected through Twitter or Facebook and other social networking sites before GTA. Once I got home, I immediately signed up for Twitter and began developing my PLN.  Over the past two years, I've realized how incredibly important it is to get connected to other educators. Some charge that the relationship kind of feeds on itself and we end up patting each other on the back, but I learn something new every day and some of it does challenge my thinking.

This time, I was determined to connect with people BEFORE the Google GEO Teachers Institute. I started searching in Twitter and suggested that we start a Google Spreadsheet with our Twitter IDs so we could all follow each other. I'm still managing the spreadsheet. During the event, another participant, Diane Main,  set up a Facebook group for us and we're still using the forum set up by the Geo Education team at Google.

While at GTI, I was able to talk in person with several teachers I'm connected to online, but had never met in person. Karen McMillan, Danny Silva, Diana Laufenberg and Ian Usher gave me some interesting things to think about while we were at Google Headquarters. Making these connections in person only enriched my already fabulous experience. Meeting these educators and SO many others was like really tasty icing (not that fake, sickly sweet stuff) on a really good cake.

So what to do? Get connected. Stay connected. Try any of these to get started, but get started.

• Twitter your life in 140 characters. Ask questions or share links and lesson plans.
• Facebook has room for teachers. Really. You can search for open groups of teachers who teach your subject or grade level to start.
• Plurk is similar to Twitter. I'm not on it, but I know there were die-hard fans at GTI.
• Linkedin is more of a professional exchange, but has lots of possibilities.
• Edmodo now has the ability for teachers to connect with each other. I'll have more on my visit to edmodo headquarters later.

Are there any that I missed? Leave a comment here. The more teachers connected to other teachers, the better off we are.

Still More Commentary on "The Enemy Within"

Yes, I must jump into the fray as well. Yesterday, Twitter was all aflutter about a proposed session at the NYSCATE Conference. The Enemy Within: Stop Students from Bypassing your Filters will discuss the dangers of proxies in schools. The session page on the NYSCATE conference wiki is open for comments, and so far, educators are not hesitating to make their feelings known.

Wesley Fryer has an excellent post about the dangers of seeing our students as enemies. Sylvia Martinez also takes on the notion that we must protect ourselves and our networks from our students. Scott McLeod weighed in on his frustration with IT departments and many education professionals trying to block students rather than figure out WHY they are trying to get around filters.

Now, it's my turn. First, a bit of background. Early last spring we had an incident at our site in which the school website was "hacked" and some malicious software was later discovered on campus computers. The result was the loss of three weeks production for the newspaper staff and general problems with the network. When I took over the newspaper staff, I asked for Deep Freeze to be placed on the desktop computers as a means to protect the work that both yearbook and newspaper students do on a daily basis. I don't particularly like the idea of having this type of software on the computers and it IS a hassle to deal with, BUT since the lab is used for two geography classes and a revolving hoard of students looking for a place to finish their homework during lunch, we all feel a little more secure.

Furthermore, I generally prohibit the use of proxies in the lab since district filters find and block them all the time. I know the IT department has the ability to see where the use of proxies is coming from and I'd rather avoid their wrath at this time.

With that said, here's something that I've noticed. When students use proxies they are using them to facilitate communication. Generally, the most popular sites I have seen are Facebook, MySpace and other blogging sites that are blocked by the district. Next, I see video sites such as YouTube. I don't see much else and I've never seen a student go to one of those sites that will corrupt their fragile minds.

So it seems that IT Departments have a problem with students communicating with each other using modern technologies. Furthermore, they seem to take issue with students using video to learn. We all know (or should know) that there is fabulous work being done out there that includes questions posted on Facebook, activities discussed and analyzed in Ning and student learning shared on Glogster and YouTube. Why is it that so many educators can see the value of using Web 2.0 tools in the classroom, but so many IT Departments spend their time finding and blocking sites that, in their opinions, might corrupt our youth?

I agree with the bloggers above that we have to stop looking at student use of computers and Web 2.0 tools with fear. What would happen if we taught students (we don't in my district) appropriate online behavior, effective search techniques and responsible use of the tools available to them? What if we then helped our students (most students in my school and district do not have regular access to computers during the school day) use the best tools to help them critically analyze and present their learning to live and virtual classmates? It's time to drop the us vs. them mentality and come up with ways to both protect our students and facilitate learning using a variety of technology tools.

To Block or Not to Block?

I work in a district where internet filters block access to sites determined to be inappropriate. When I try to access these sites I get a message telling me under which category the block falls. Most frequently I get messages claiming the sites are for 'social networking/dating' or 'adult content.' Sites blocked include:

• Glogster
• Diigo
• Ning
• Twitter
• Delicious
• Wetpaint
• YouTube
• Retaggr
• Facebook
• MySpace
  

In the past eight years, I've had one request to unblock a site granted. That was for Daryl Cagle's Professional Cartoonists Index.

So, what is the point of this post? Two great posts bring this issue to the forefront for me yet again. First, at It's All About IT, Lisa writes about the ethics surrounding the use of proxies to allow students access to blocked sites. One of the things she does is suggest how useful these sites could be for teaching students about ethics and digital citizenship:

I talk to my students about topics like Identity Theft, protecting digital privacy, and CyberBullying. It would make so much sense to pull up a site (like FaceBook) and go over things like the TOU and EULA. For example, I had a number of grade 7’s last year who had FaceBook accounts. Even ones who were younger than 13 (FaceBook’s minimum age). A valuable discussion to have….not possible with the site blocked.

This practice could be very useful. I believe that it is important to teach students about responsible behavior online. I made the conscious decision not to allow the use of proxies in my room after an unfortunate series of events that led to our newspaper program being shut down for several weeks while hard drives were reformatted. The ultimate problem did not result from using proxies, but the attitudes rising from proxy use in direct violation of district policy probably helped.

Then I read Alex Couros' post on 'Freedom Sticks.' In it he describes his frustration in working with teachers to develop their tech skills only to be stymied by filters. His solution was to give each teacher a 'freedom stick' of portable apps that ultimately bypassed the filters.

The comments on both posts are instructive as well. It seems to me that those of us trying to integrate technology are trending more toward Dr. Couros' so-called guerilla tactics to give students (and teachers) access to information and resources that would otherwise be blocked.

I'm not sure where I am on this spectrum. While I don't allow the use of proxies, I am extremely frustrated by my inability to use certain Web 2.0 tools. My restrictions are not due to respect for the filters or authority, but because I don't want to risk losing data similar to last years' incident. I certainly don't have the solution, though I can see myself becoming more and more frustrated as time goes by.

School Board Bans Facebook, Twitter For Teachers - District 299

• School Board Bans Facebook, Twitter For Teachers - District 299

  I find this policy disturbing. While my district in no way suggests that I give my cell phone number to my students or use Twitter to keep students and parents informed, it is strongly suggested that I do make myself available for questions or concerns. That means using district email (which drives me crazy because I can't search!) and my desk phone, I'm sure. However, if we're trying to be more efficient and transparent, doesn't it make sense to communicate with our clients (students and their families) where they are? Your thoughts?
  

  tags: facebook, twitter

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Running with Scissors

I'm not sure how I missed this, but this post about Glenn Moses' ASCD presentation advocating for greater access to students is a winner. Moses' wiki outlines his argument for allowing students to use, among other things, social networking sites in education.

Why aren't we using more social networking in schools? The latest I've heard regarding my district's policy on social networking sites is that the powers-that-be won't even discuss a site that has social networking capabilities. That sounds like fear of the unknown.

I am a big fan of Glogster but my pleas to unblock the service are falling on deaf ears because if students sign up on their own they have the ability to communicate with strangers. However, Glogster/edu allows a teacher to set up closed environments so that students can only comment on other classmates' work.

Finally, here's something else to consider. I recently talked with my assistant principal about Glogster and Twitter, among other things, and pointed out that while the adults are fearful of students coming into contact with strangers NO ONE is teaching the students how to use social networking safely. Our introductory computer classes were eliminated a few years back because they don't satisfy the a-g requirements as college-prep electives.

Social Networking and Digital Natives

Check out this presentation on student communication in the modern age.
Understanding Digital Kids

View more presentations from Tami Brass. (tags: safety internet)

Can teachers be students' Facebook friends?

• Can teachers be students' Facebook friends?

  Stop shooting the messenger! The Houston Chronicle reported on the dangers of teachers using Facebook to stay in touch with their students. Those of us in education have to start looking at alternative ways to contact our students and their families. While Facebook might not be the best choice, there are alternatives as suggested by one of the commenters. However, I'm worried that the technology will become so demonized that schools will restrict teachers to pinning notes to students shirts.

  tags: Facebook, social networking, education, students, Houston Chronicle

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

The Ugly Side of Facebook?

As more and more educators are using social networking sites, there are more and more opportunities for commentary missteps. The Charlotte Observer recently reported that several area teachers had been fired or were being investigated for inappropriate comments on their Facebook pages. While it sounds as though some of the comments and/or photos may have been less than tasteful, I have to wonder about what this kind of action is doing to teachers' right to free speech.

I am concerned that before too long teachers will get fired or put on leave for criticizing ineffective policies in their schools or districts. Shouldn't we be able to start a dialog, in public if necessary, about what is and is not working for our students? I am convinced that if we continue to keep quiet about our concerns there won't be much change.