I originally set my blog up as a skeptic to social networking in the classroom and infusing it into real, usable curriculum. I was looking to view social networking as a crutch and hurdle for students and school alike to deal with. I am now torn as to where my blog will continue....
The post title may be a bit confusing, concerning, but also very real. This blog is running account of my research, views, and opinions on technology infused education (particularly social networking). You may agree, disagree, hate, or love what I have to say and what others in the educational community believe. Then there is the burning question, WHY READ THIS GUYS STUFF?
I am a 21st century, motivated and inspired educator and aspiring school leader. My inspiration focuses on closing the achievement gap in low socioeconomic areas, both urban and rural. I believe that every student I come across can succeed in an ever-changing educational landscape. Although I may not know the future of education, I believe what we are doing as a nation is what George W. Bush and his administration claimed to stop, leaving children behind.
With the current trends in education and infusion of technology into the classroom, cyberbullying is here to stay. As educators, parents, and teachers of young people, it is our duty to protect our students both online and offline. The two links below will help us learn more about cyberbullying and ways to be proactive in our students lives.
Just as technology infused curriculum and the usage of social networking in the classroom is hotly debated amongst school administrators and teachers, it also is addressed rapidly by parents. From recent articles on my blog, I have seen polar opposite reactions by parents to schools who believe it is in their rights to discipline students for social bullying and inappropriate online activity. One half believes it is in every right of the school to act as a "policing task-force" for online activity, while the other feels that if it happens off school grounds it should stay there.
I pulled a section of the below linked article and believe this is the most detailed answer that we will get for now, really since there isn't much of a universal answer at all according to school officials. 
Judges are flummoxed, too, as they wrestle with
new questions about protections on student speech and school searches. Can a
student be suspended for posting a video on YouTube that cruelly demeans
another student? Can a principal search a cellphone, much like a locker or a
backpack?"
After reading the article below, I feel that most educators won't see a grey area in a teacher allowing students to put duct tape over their mouths... Maybe not the best judgement in that moment. But after the teacher took a picture and posted it on FaceBook stating: "I finally found a way to keep them quiet" school officials are looking to terminate her... Thoughts, opinions? Duct tape anyone?
One of the hottest topics in the educational sphere today: is it necessary for teachers to have the right to bear arms in our schools? Even many pro-firearm state's are torn. Teachers are at odds, governors are leery and state officials see more of a need to turn their attention to the economy rather than rifling up teachers in our schools. Thoughts? Concerns? Both?
In this 21st century world we live in, everything we post, tweet, or speak is fair game for disciplinary action in schools. Students still do not seem to get that each of their personal forums called the "internet" is being monitored and watched. As school leaders and teachers we try to infuse technology and innovation into our lessons and curriculum. We give every kid in the school a I-Pad and expect them to use it as an educational tool. Have we gone too far with technology? Have we not gone far enough? Kids will be kids I guess...
To discipline or not discipline, that is the question... Just as teachers and staff are thinking about what they post on social networking sites, disciplinary action against students is making our youth ask the same questions. From one side of the spectrum of making violent threats to posting "Harlem Shake" videos; words and actions on the internet may bring ramifications on our students. Principals and Superintendents alike are battling with how to treat student posts on YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter and Instragram (among other sites). Even the language used such as "policing student activity on social media" has to raise questions from both parents and community members.
Recent events in American history have altered the way our culture operates on a daily basis. Whether you are going through an airport security check point, crossing political borders, or posting violent based material; much of what we do is monitored and surveilled. But when it comes to education where are we going to draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough. Just as 9/11 had done before, the Newtown shooting massacre changed the way Americans think of sending their students off to school. Questions have risen from Newtown, such as national gun control and armed security in each of our public schools. (Why not, the presidents children attend a school with armed guards...) I agree that, "Times They are a-Changin", but with our lack of security have we lost who we are as a nation? Those who have freedom of speech and the ability to express ourselves nonviolently that citizens of many other countries do not. For a group of male students to post a video of themselves dancing in a locker room and then get suspended is just too much.
On the other hand, some districts and schools have yet to even put in place policies for actions taken on social networking sites. The Superintendent over Rocky River High School in Ohio had a racially charged situation escalate in an online post of two of their students. But his reply simply was that his hand were tied to an extent and since the school did not create the accounts for the students, legality revisited that "no mans land" of grey area.
The following information was taken directly from Beebe Public Schools in Arkansas. The website states, "Staff are discouraged from accessing social networking websites on personal equipment during their breaks and/or preparation period because, while this is not prohibited, it may give the public appearance that such access is occurring during instructional time. Staff shall not access social networking sites using district equipment at any time, including during breaks or preparation periods..." The site continues on stating what teachers can and cannot do on social networking pages. It outlaws, "Sharing personal landline or cell phone numbers with students; text messaging students; soliciting students as friends or contacts on social networking websites..." The list goes on and on. Many districts, including the example used, discourages the usage of such educational tools and disallows the outreach to students on social networking websites. (Using a megaphone) HOW CAN A TEACHER REACH THEIR STUDENTS, HAVE A PERSONAL LIFE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL OR USE THIS TECHNOLOGY TO ENGAGE STUDENTS WITHOUT PUTTING THEIR CAREERS ON THE LINE? (That little bird doesn't look so innocent anymore does it?)