Reflection #23

(1) Describe the Resource / Experience:
During my resource search this week, I discovered an article entitled “Social-Networking Sites for Schools Promote Safety, Education Benefits”. This article discusses how several software companies across the US and the UK have developed social networking site software that allows teachers to design social networking sites specifically for educational purposes. These companies take extra precautions to keep students safe while using the sites. For example, at Imbee.com, a site for students age 8 to 14, parents must enter a credit card number in online in order to confirm their child’s identity before children can gain access to the site. I thought the ideas presented about improving the safety of social networking sites for students was very interesting.
(2) Lessons Learned / Applications for the Classroom / Recommendations for Yourself or Others:
Before reading this article, I was torn on the issue of using social networking sites in the educational setting. On one hand, I thought they would be a great way to build a close-knit classroom community and encourage open and honest discussions among students, but on the other hand, I knew that using the sites could possibly pose a security/safety risk when it comes to the exposure of students’ personal information. However, after reading this article, I’ve come to a reasonable conclusion. I now believe that schools should make a greater effort to promote and teach the responsible use of social networking sites instead of banning access to social networking sites at school altogether. I think that this is a nice balance or compromise between the two points-of-view. I think that banning social networking sites altogether is like “throwing the baby out with the bathwater”. I don’t think that access to these sites should be prohibited because I think the sites have the potential to revolutionize and expand the educational world.
(3) Links to Readings, Resources, or Discussions:
These ideas directly link to the following resource from my Resource Log:

Borja, R. (2006, October 11). Social-networking sites for schools promote safety, education benefits. Education Week, 26(7), 7-7. Retrieved April 7, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database.

Moreover, these ideas directly relate to the section in chapter 8 of our WikiText that discusses social networking tools.