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How do you feel about this statement? What, if any, fears do you have with bringing social media into your classroom? Learning environments are progressing towards social infrastructures but can's say I agree with the use of 'irrelevant' here but what are your thoughts? 

"Fear" is a little extreme. Might be better to say challenged and sometimes frustrated over the emerging "need" to include social media in education. I'm still a big fan of the premise that technology--any and all technology including social media--should be used when and where it advances the learner toward one of the stated outcomes of the course. If the higher-ups here at WCC for some reason forced faculty to use social media (by that I mean the likes of Facebook, Twitter, You Tube), I would certainly use them more than I do today. Still, I would do so knowing that they don't necessarily move the student any closer to achieving the stated outcomes of the course. To use them just to use them (I feel) is counterproductive. I've heard many conference presentations where faculty have said their use of social media does improve "classroom climate." When asked, though, all of the presenters I've seen have said they're not sure they help students learn more about the topic. After this week, I can say that Diigo could definitely help students move toward course outcomes in many courses. If I was to use Diigo, I'd be sure to make using it part of the students' grade. By the way, anyone who uses the word "lest" is probably typing tongue-in-cheek. ;)

I have to agree with Larry. Fear is an extreme word. These are new and emerging tools and thus not fully understood. They should be used specifically and evaluated carefully. To use them simply because thehy are available without making sure that they increase the chances of stdents achieving course objectives is unwise in my opinion. I have been teaching for nearly 30 years and have seen the rapid embrace of new technologies that were supposed to improve studet success in the classroom, yet after a decade or so, they were determined not to be the spectacular took they were supposed to be. Any tool shojuld be used in conjunction with achieving the course objectives.

I agree that the idea is fear is a little much. We should also use social media thoughtfully in education, not just jump on board just because it is the next, biggest, newest thing. Will it actually help our students int he context of the classroom information. My other thought was for more widespread critical use of media sections should be put into the typical freshman introduction to college classes. Classes like College 101 or Freshmen seminar are supposed to expose students to college life a little, work on study skills and critical thinking why not also technology? It seems the perfect place and time to hit all the students as they are entering college. Then media prudence can be taught as well.

"Will what you're about to share offend, surprise, or shock your current or future * Classmates * Teacher * Friends * Boyfriend/girlfriend * Family * Parents * Employer * Clients * Business partners in a way which critically jeopardizes your relationship? If you answer even one "Yes" for this short list of people, think long and hard before publishing your content."

This sounds simple enough, but unfortunately I don't think everyone runs through this thought process before they post something on-line. Maybe young kids today are being taught this, but I don't think this was taught to initial users of this technology.

I agree Tracy. Pre-planning is essential! Whre are you now? Where do you want to be? How long do you want to take to get there? What path do you want to follow? What resources do you want to use? I am concerned that educator who use these tools wil not take the time to think ahead making the learning experience less valuable and even doing the students a disservice.

I kinda smiled when I saw this because this is basically asking kids not to act like kids. We can warn them and show them consequences but many are going to do it anyway, just like skipping class. They know better but it takes some time to act better.

Tracy - I am so stealing that for my discussion group/Twitter group intro about using the the class discussion groups as forums strickly for discussing the course material. You're right, not enough people think about their comments/photos/posts getting into the "wrong" hands. They are so focused on shock value for one specific person or audience and they forget that anyone could eventually see it. I know you're right Carrie, kids will be kids, but sometimes they need to be reminded about the consequences because they honestly haven't even thought through what that could include.

Hi, all this is a duplicate, but was trying to figure out how you were all posting text in gray.