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Social Media Policies
Looking into the policies employed by my current school district, I found there are policies regarding technology and use of technology which requires a computer use agreement, but has no policies regarding social media and its use. Because social media has become more central in the lives of our students, and ourselves, there need to be guidelines and policies in place for the protection of students and teachers alike in the social media world. Though most of the policies I read seemed to be common sense to me, they must not be to some.
As I have been reflecting on articles and suggestions of policies I’ve read, there have been many duplicates in those suggestions. Netiquette, or etiquette in technology, can be summed up in the following suggestions I feel are important to incorporate, along with simple explanations:
An important part after drafting policies that could be adopted by a classroom, school, or district is feedback from the stakeholders, or people that are affected by the policies. Before beginning any project or activity that involves social media, I will send an email to the students and their parents, which is our main platform for communication in our school setting. If parents or students have concerns, they will be invited to call, text, or email me back with those concerns.
As I began using Edmodo with my students last year, I had parents that were concerned with the privacy their students would receive on a social platform. I was able to encourage those parents with a reminder that their students posts would all be moderated by me and that it is a safe place for students to learn about netiquette, which includes my policies stated above. It was a good introduction for me in advocating for students who are growing up connected to the world and gave me the opportunity to help students find their part in an ever-growing world-wide-web.
Resources:
Anderson, Steven. (7 May 2012). How to Create Social Media Guidelines for Your School. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/how-to-create-social-media-guidelines-school
Minnetonka Public Schools. District Policies. 2016. Retrieved from https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/uploaded/Documents/Policy/470.pdf
RSM. Managing the Personal Use of Social Media. End of Term Report. 17 July 2017 Retrieved from https://goo.gl/LhwEkC.
Shein, E. (2014). Social Media Goes to School. Administrator Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3758300
Thompson, D. (2014, June 25). Using Instagram as a Classroom Tool. Retrieved from http://www.nerdynerdynerdy.com/2014/06/using-instagram-as-classroom-tool.html
As I have been reflecting on articles and suggestions of policies I’ve read, there have been many duplicates in those suggestions. Netiquette, or etiquette in technology, can be summed up in the following suggestions I feel are important to incorporate, along with simple explanations:
- Privacy Counts. Keep your passwords private and don’t ask for others’ passwords.
- Responsible Collaboration. Be sure you are contributing as well as curating.
- Be appropriate. Remember that once you’ve posted, it’s there forever.
- Know WHY you’re connecting. Are you collaborating? Are you posting for self promotion? Both are fine with the appropriate audience.
- Be deliberate in posts. Make your posts relevant and pertinent.
- Protect the rights of other users. If you see someone’s work being pirated, report it.
- Respect others’ work. Give credit where credit is due.
- If you see cyberbullying, at any level, be sure to report it.
- Perception is reality. Be careful with the words you use. Be clear and succinct in your intents.
- Disclose who you are. Be transparent and truthful so you are clearly representing yourself and those, particularly district personnel and students, you represent.
An important part after drafting policies that could be adopted by a classroom, school, or district is feedback from the stakeholders, or people that are affected by the policies. Before beginning any project or activity that involves social media, I will send an email to the students and their parents, which is our main platform for communication in our school setting. If parents or students have concerns, they will be invited to call, text, or email me back with those concerns.
As I began using Edmodo with my students last year, I had parents that were concerned with the privacy their students would receive on a social platform. I was able to encourage those parents with a reminder that their students posts would all be moderated by me and that it is a safe place for students to learn about netiquette, which includes my policies stated above. It was a good introduction for me in advocating for students who are growing up connected to the world and gave me the opportunity to help students find their part in an ever-growing world-wide-web.
Resources:
Anderson, Steven. (7 May 2012). How to Create Social Media Guidelines for Your School. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/how-to-create-social-media-guidelines-school
Minnetonka Public Schools. District Policies. 2016. Retrieved from https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/uploaded/Documents/Policy/470.pdf
RSM. Managing the Personal Use of Social Media. End of Term Report. 17 July 2017 Retrieved from https://goo.gl/LhwEkC.
Shein, E. (2014). Social Media Goes to School. Administrator Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3758300
Thompson, D. (2014, June 25). Using Instagram as a Classroom Tool. Retrieved from http://www.nerdynerdynerdy.com/2014/06/using-instagram-as-classroom-tool.html