School Matters - Online Social Networks - Friend or Foe?

Teachers.tv has tonight (Thu 28th Feb 20:00, Thu 28th Feb 23:00, Fri 29th Feb 05:00) a programme concerning the use of online social networks and their implication for the future of teaching and learning.

The synopsis reads well:

The rise of online social networking has brought a new dimension to social interaction. In this programme, we look at the technology behind sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Bebo, exploring the issues that they raise for teachers.

This is the first generation that has the technical means to offer a running commentary on every aspect of their lives. This fact has sparked a debate on whether this technology, an ever increasing part of children's lives, is a force for good, or an opportunity for cyber-bullying to proliferate.

If negative aspects can be dealt with, these technological advances could potentially alter the dynamics of future schooling; transforming the traditional lecture model into increasing group interaction and dialogue, into learning that's "caught rather than taught".

Experts and users explain how social networking is affecting the way this generation relates to each other in and out of cyberspace, and how the technology can be harnessed to benefit learning.

I am particularly interested in the section I have made bold. I wonder how long it will take for the institutions and the writers (me included) to stop highlighting the issue and simply get on with living with its evolution? The things we are doing now and the perceived problems will soon be reshaped and reused.

PS

Just listening and watching the video at this moment. So far it is putting over exceptionally positive messages. It appears that the adults seem to feel that they have to regulate use on the basis of 'too much of anything isn't good for you.'

The teenagers seem to feel confident about their use of social networking and it has certainly increased their self image. They have identified with a connection that is not necessarily governed by their geography. It is the extension of the human concept of personal networking and also considers the idea of 'trust'.Lyndsay Grant from Future Lab comments that many young people are well aware of the pros and cons of the way things work ... but there are always those who aren't. Neil Selwyn adds that ' Young people have always behaved in an inappropriate manner ... the difference now is that they have a much wider scope.

On the bullying issue there seems to be a recognition that cyber-bullying is on the 'up' ... but then it would be wouldn't it ... like road accidents when traffic increases ... I am interested if the online bullies are also the offline ones ! The programme points out the very worst of bullying ... it is awful ... but the adult comments that the onlineness of the action brought it to the fore. Good from bad.

It appears that there is not much different taking place in terms of bullying but it is that the media and the population at large get to hear about it and see it almost every day. This is not to excuse it but it does highlight it and it is at the front of people's social conscience.

John Potter highlights again that all of the 'bad' things existed before the medium of social networks was developed and he points out that the things we can/could do with them are so valuable that we need to work out ways of making everyone safe. It is an education thing.

Stephen Heppell expounds on the powerfulness of the tools that are available to all of us.

Teachers need to take on the mantle of engaging with young people in their place (we used to do this by watching Blue Peter!)The problem seems to be that they are one step (or more) behind.But one teacher uses the fantastic phrase; ' ... the children can have the voice to express ...' We ARE getting there, we are !! And she picks up on the idea that the children are not just being consumers but are now also the creators of content.

John Potter highlights the problems for teachers that are posed by new technology in that the systems need to be adjusted to take onboard the innovation ... He indicates that Scotland might well be leading here!

Stephen Heppell finishes off by saying ' Tomorrow's school is a place with a lot more joy.'

Terena Schools Workshop, Paris 10/11 February 2007

I am impressed and heartened that the technical side of the networking issues across communities and countries is in the hands of such thoughtful people.

I am aware that there is a sense of educational purpose behind the thoughts and deliberations and can feel the passion for developing sustainable systems to support teaching and learning across a wide variety of circumstances.

I am also aware that, for me, these are 'givens'.

It is what I would expect ... away from the world of educational ICT I have high expectations of services and I, and all of us, pay for these heavily ... think about 'food miles' and 'global warming' etc.

Teacher expectation is that the systems should be in place to allow for the concentration on the key things ... using the technology for purpose.

The technology in this regard should be transparent.It should never get in the way of and must facilitate learning.

We have to consider how children/students/schools/institutions can provide a functional specification of needs in a constantly changing situation.

Projects which take years to ramp up are not acceptable. All the while time is ticking away. Children's lives are passing by ...

On the matter of filtering ... this is not a blocking issue it is one of education.