Teaching and Facebook

Maranto and Barton's article, "Paradox and Promise: MySpace, Facebook, and the Sociopolitics of Social Networking in the Writing Classroom," seems extremely relevent this week. This is not only because it applies to part of the discussion we had in class last week, but also because the local news recently covered a connected subject. Here is an article on it:

Online Exchanges
by Associated Press
KTVB.COM
Posted on October 20, 2010 at 10:17 AM

Updated Wednesday, Oct 20 at 10:00 PM

RUPERT, Idaho -- The Minidoka School District hopes to limit interactions between teachers and students on social networking websites, citing inappropriate relationships that have developed elsewhere in Idaho and other states.

School district attorney Michael Tribe says the proposed policy requests that teachers use their district e-mail accounts when corresponding with parents or students.

The policy would also prohibit teachers from interacting with students on social networking websites, such as Facebook, and talking about anything other than school work or educational activities.

The Times-News reports teachers would also be banned from posting provocative photos, sexually explicit messages or referencing the use of alcohol and drugs on social networking sites.

Here is a web link to it:
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It also seems relevent because I have recently been pondering the benefits versus risks for myself and people I know. The woman I am working with from SNIP for our group project recently sent me a Facebook friend request. I was torn, thinking that by denying it, I could possibly offend her and thereby cause issues for myself and other group members, but I also don't want her to make judgments about the quality of our work based on the information she would gain about me through the site. Another example: I know an elementary school teacher who constantly posts on her facebook about going downtown to bars and have wondered if her students' parents ever look her up and see those posts. On the other hand, I am facebook friends with some of my teachers and find it extremely helpful. I see links posted, get invited to literary events and can network with people who I hope are my peers someday.

I think this essay really represents both sides of this dilemma, but focuses on teaching writing through these networking sites as the advantage and neglects some other benefits of using them. The article explains, "both high school and college students use Facebook and MySpace not only to stay in touch with existing friends and make new ones but also to exchange information about classes, parties, concerts, or whatever else interests them" (38). This quote demonstrates what is missing, which is the opportunity to spread information about interesting articles and events to current and former students. Yes, Facebook and MySpace are a place to exchange information about what interests them, and the best part of this is that what interests them could be something relevant to what is being studied, or even an opportunity that might be available to students. An example of this is a reading series/ competition taking place in soon here in Boise for short short fiction (http://alanheathcock.com/450-volt-series/).

Another point I wanted to bring up is the focus on postmodern perspectives on identity. A great deal of time is spent on teaching students about postmodern identities though choices made on these sites which are meant to express how a person wants to be perceived. While I find this interesting, it seems only mildly relevant to what is being taught in high schools. Perhaps it is due to my presence in this digital rhetoric class, but I wish the focus had been more on digital forms of writing, or even the changes in rhetorical style that takes place upon entering these sites. The article does point out (in reference to social media websites): "These are vibrant rhetorical spaces, in which students make repeated verbal and visual choices" (37). These choices are mentioned because of the effect they have on creating identity, but they are also relevant to new forms of writing that are becoming popularized.

Aside from any subject that I feel should have gotten more attention in this article, I greatly appreciate the inclusion of sections on privacy issues (which pertains significantly to a discussion we had last week), social engagement (although it could be expanded to include more of what I mention in my third paragraph) and the use of social networking as a tool. These concepts are all so important, and I feel that teachers should have mandatory classes on them. While I don't like the idea of a school or district giving a yea or nay on their employee's use of specific sites, I think it would show great foresight and astuteness to address the issues that could and will arise. New Media and social networking are the wave of the future so, like it or not, we all need to be prepared for both the good and bad that come with it.

Here is another interesting and relevant site that you guys can check out if you want:
http://mfeldstein.com/teaching-with-facebook/

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and just for fun: