Thing # 18

For this exercise we were told to explore social networking sites! Well this was extremely easy for me-I already have a myspace and facebook!

I created a facebook way back in 2004 when this website first appeared. I have gone through the many stages of facebook and the creators are ALWAYS changing it-for better or worse, some of you may know what I am referring to! I have had a myspace for the past few years, but in all honesty I prefer to use facebook these days. Pretty much everyone I know has a facebook and if they don't it doesn't take much convincing for them to create one!

Here is a link to my facebook: Nicki Facebook

Here is a link to my myspace: Nicki myspace

Sorry both of these profiles are private since I don't want to change the settings for public viewing. However-please feel free to friend me and I will add you!

I like facebook and myspace because it allows me to stay in touch with family and friends who don't live in Tennessee. With the military I meet so many interesting people, but because we move so often its hard to remain friends with them-however that is where social networking sites come into play. I can keep in touch and up to date with my friends lives even though we are scattered all over the world! Even though I do really enjoy these sites, there are always downfalls to social networking. The top example I can think of is stalkers or drama that is associated with them. I used to leave my myspace and facebook open but I didn't like being messaged by random men asking to be my friend so I eventually made them both private. I know the drama as a military wife can be overwhelming and facebook just seems to add to that if you get caught up in it! Something to be aware of regarding these websites...

Facebook seems to have a better privacy settings regarding pictures and information. I know that on facebook you can block certain people from seeing aspects of your profile and who can see your photos-friends, friends of friends, or public. I usually just select friends. I prefer to use facebook because it seems to allow you to do so much more. I like being able to see peoples status updates, applications added, photos added etc. I know myspace has some of these same features, however I don't feel they are as user friendly!

I think that social networking is important for educators to be aware of. I think if a teacher has their own personal website like facebook or myspace they need to be aware of what type of pictures are posted and the privacy settings regarding their page. Students will of course go out and try to find their teachers to see what their lives involve outside of school! Even though it is your personal life, you still need to display a level of professionalism now that you are shaping this country's youth! I also think it is important that if you are friends with your students on these pages to be able to report if you see something illegal or troublesome-such as inappropriate pictures and so on.

As for social networking in the classroom-I think it would be pretty cool to have a facebook group dedicated to my chemistry class. It would be a place students could ask questions to each other regarding hw and just a place to stay in touch with each other. Once again I think there needs to be limitations here so the students don't take advantage of the website-however I hope that the students I teach are mature enough to use this type of social networking and not to take advantage of something fun that can be used in a classroom!