Can we play Graveyard? --- But I didn't get a prize!

How much games is too much in class? I enjoy playing games in class, as long as there is justifiable educational value to them, but it's getting the kids to realize that not every day we get to play a game that is the problem. We are in class to sing, make music, and learn. Not to play graveyard for the last ten minutes of every class. Besides, when did this game become so popular? You lay on the ground and try to keep from laughing or smiling as someone walks around. I personally don't get what the hype is.

Then comes the problem with prizes. Oh yes, I am a firm believer in bribes but some kids come to expect that every day they will (or should, in their minds) get a prize. I need to remind them again and again that just showing up to class does not earn you a prize. You need to demonstrate respectful behavior, participate, and try your very best in class and then -- just maybe -- you may earn yourself a prize.

It really is amazing how much kids will be upset over not getting a 2 cent lollipop or dollarama toy. Children, I promise you, it's nothing to cry about. 

Social Networking and Teachers

Do you have a Facebook account? What about Twitter? How about a Myspace page or even a blog? Living in the 21st century, where technology has become an almost essential part of everyday life, chances are you belong to at least one of these social networking sites.

So what does this mean to teachers?

The introduction of social networking sites have created a cultural shift in regards to the idea of privacy: some people today are willing to expose more about themselves. The social networking tools are so easy to use that it has become accessible to anyone (students, parents, teachers, and even administrators) so are there any rules/guidelines for avoiding problems when it comes to teachers using social networking sites (Carter, Foulfer, Ewback, 2008)?

The answer is a resounding and cautioning yes.

The most obvious way to prevent any problems due to social networking sites is to just not have one. If you do have one, however, you need to take the steps to ensure that your information is kept private ("Social Networking", 2009). Make sure that you have all your information set to private and pay attention to updates on the social networking site you belong to. When Facebook does a privacy setting update, for example, all of your settings will default back to public. In instances such as this you need to go in and manually change everything back to private or your information will be free for the World Wide Web to see.

Be aware that even if you do everything in your power to keep your information private, there is no guarantee that it will remain so. One incident involving a twenty-four year old teacher in Georgia, USA, was caused by leaked photos due to one of her Facebook “friends”. The teacher had made sure not to accept any friends on Facebook, except for those she trusted, but a photo of her smiling and drinking a pint of beer in Ireland while on vacation made its way to the inboxes of school officials in her district. Despite not looking intoxicated, she was still fired due to the fact that the photo “brought the school into disrepute” (Breslin, 2009).

When posting to a social networking site, you need to treat everything you post as becoming potentially public. Teachers should not post any photos, links, or comments that others may find offensive in any form ("Social Networking", 2009). If you find yourself questioning whether or not something is appropriate to post, then it likely isn’t.

Another rule is to never “friend” a student or link them to your own personal blog, Myspace, or accept them on Twitter. There needs to be a “wall of professionalism” between yourself and students at all times, which is compromised if you become friends with them through a social networking site. The video below provides a great explanation of how you should be connecting to students through your content (what it is you teach), not through sites like Facebook.

Outside of what you are posting, teachers need to be aware that there is the possibility of students or others posting things about you – or as you -- on the internet. One incident in Ipswich, USA, involved a student posting on a Facebook page that a teacher had sex with a student after a graduation function. Claims like this, the Teachers Union responded, can ruin the reputations and careers of innocent staff members because the comments need to be taken seriously and could lead to a teacher being suspended while the investigation occurs (Garry, 2009). Another incident in 2010 involved a student posing as their teacher on Facebook and sending sexually inappropriate messages to students and staff who had added them thinking that it was the actual teacher ("Teachers Bullied", 2010). In order to protect yourself against this, periodically use broad web searches to check whether any information has been posted about you or by someone impersonating you. If you do happen to spot something, check it over for accuracy and always print out any false or defamatory information to have on record ("Social Networking", 2009).

The argument that “what I do in my own time is my own business” can not be used when it comes to teachers and social networking sites. It is a general rule that school employees can be disciplined for off-duty conduct if the school district can show that the conduct has a negative impact on the school or the teacher’s ability to teach (Simpson, 2008).

So what are teachers to do? In world where our social connections and friendships are being defined by interaction through social networking sites, it isn’t likely that giving up social networking is going to work. Teachers depend on the sites for the same reason others do: connection and interaction. What needs to be understood, however, is where the online privacy ends and professional life begins. Those who choose to engage with social networking must weigh the risks that accompany it. There are potential benefits to exploring the possibilities and appropriate uses of theses sites, but the risks in each situation must be identified and weighed (Carter, Foulger, Ewback, 2008).

“There's an old lawyer's law that goes something like this: Never put in writing anything that you wouldn't want read in open court or by your mother.

Maybe it's time for an updated adage: Never put in electronic form anything that you wouldn't want viewed by a million people, including your colleagues, students, and supervisors- and your mother.” (Simpson, 2008)

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References/Sources

Breslin, J. (2009, September 18). Down in One. Pint That Cost Teacher Her Job by . Questia - The Online Library of Books and Journals. Retrieved January 29, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5035414084

Carter, H., Foulger, T., & Ewbank, A. (2008). Have You Googled Your Teacher Lately? Teachers' Use of Social Networking Sites; Common Sense Doesn't Necessarily Prevail When Teachers Plunge into the World of Social Networking Sites. Disastrous Consequences Can Ensue, and the Authors Urge Educators to C. Questia - The Online Library of Books and Journals. Retrieved February 2, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5027271433

Colbert, R. (2007). Just Some Thoughts by Ron Colbert. Questia - The Online Library of Books and Journals. Retrieved February 3, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5024823011

Garry, C. (2009, October 30). Former Students Slam Teachers on Facebook by . Questia - The Online Library of Books and Journals. Retrieved February 3, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5034729877

'Networking. (2009). Questia - The Online Library of Books and Journals. Retrieved February 3, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5035571152

Simpson, M. D. (2008). The Whole World (Wide Web) Is Watching by Michael D. Simpson. Questia - The Online Library of Books and Journals. Retrieved February 3, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5035562746

Social Networking: the Good, the Bad and the Funky by . (2009). Questia - The Online Library of Books and Journals. Retrieved February 1, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5035346335

Teachers Bullied by Pupils on Websites by . (2010, March 31). Questia - The Online Library of Books and Journals. Retrieved February 1, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5042032605

Additional Readings

Bowers-Campbell, J. (2008). Cyber "Pokes": Motivational Antidote for Developmental College Readers by Joy Bowers-Campbell. Questia - The Online Library of Books and Journals. Retrieved January 30, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5031217456

Garvey, C. (2010, March 18). Teachers Still in Spotlight; {ldquo}When They Act like They Have Done with These Photos the Students Will Think {Lsquo}well, If My Teachers Can Act like This Why Can't I?'{rdquo} by . Questia - The Online Library of Books and Journals. Retrieved February 3, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5042022272

Johnson, C. (2010, March 17). Furore over Raunchy Pics; Teachers Face Investigation for Facebook Photos by . Questia - The Online Library of Books and Journals. Retrieved January 30, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5041981569

Kuehn, L. (2008). Renegotiating School Boundaries in the Age of Social Networking by Larry Kuehn. Questia - The Online Library of Books and Journals. Retrieved February 3, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5035239157