Social Networks in Schools Lauren E.

Jordan FRIT 7330

"Powerful new technologies provide great benefits, but they also change the way we live, and not always in ways that everyone likes. - Martin Baily, PhD,

Fulton County School System Employee Handbook. (2010-2011). Internet Acceptable Use. Reference: Board Policy IFBGA. Retrieved on July 2, 2012 from http://portal.fultonschools.org/departments/Human_Resources/Documents /Employee%20Handbook/Employee%20Handbook%20083010.pdf The Fulton County School System in Atlanta, Georgia has provided teachers with an outline of acceptable internet uses in and outside of the classroom. The internet policy includes teachers connecting with students on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. The school system does not see social networking sites at instructional tools and they are prohibited throughout the school day. Also, teachers may not post any information about students on these websites because the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits any information about students being shared. Also, under FERPA, pictures and videos of students should not be posted on social networking websites. Fulton County encourages that teacher manage their privacy settings so that only their friends can access their page and they discourage teachers from friending their students. Fulton Countys Internet Usage Policy has many strengths such as making many recommendations about how teachers can manage their social networks so that students and parents do not access their information. Additionally, the policy suggests setting up a school website where teachers can communicate with students and students. The school system states that they also reserve all rights to confiscate and/or monitor school system laptops and other electronic devices. I believe that this clause within the policy makes teachers aware that their computers are being monitored and any inappropriate behavior will be upheld. Fulton Countys policy on Social Networking Media is very limited and quiet vague. The county makes recommendations to teachers but does not directly state what teachers should and should not do. For example, the county often makes suggestions throughout the policy but it does not state that something is against the policy; It is strongly suggested that employees refrain from friending students or providing student access to their social networking site. Additionally, the policy does not state what a teacher should do if a problem is encountered while on a social media site. Another downfall of the policy is that it does not provide teachers with additional Web 2.0 sites that teachers can communicate with students. The policy recommends a teacher website but that only allows teachers to communicate with the students, the students cannot communicate back with the teacher. I believe the policy would be stronger if they provided safe websites such as wikis, blogs, and teacher/student friendly networking sites.

Chesterfield County Public School. (2011). Use of Social Networking Site by CCPS Employees. Retreived on July 2, 2012 from http://www.boarddocs.com/ vsba/chesterfield/Board.nsf/files/8VFGC343180C/$file/ Memo%2055%20Attachment%20Q%20-%20Policy%207231.pdf Chesterfield County Public Schools has recently adopted a new social networking policy, which outlines the appropriate uses for teachers and school employees. The policy is broken up into various sections. The first section Generally explains the value of social networking within education and mentions many web 2.0 networking tools that are valuable to the education process. The policy does not prohibit teachers from using social networking but the communication must be for educational purposes. The second part of the policy; Establishment of Social Networking Sites for Educational Purposes, describes to teachers how to set an appropriate social network with educational purposes and communication. This section of the policies how teachers should monitor their personal social networking sites so that their privacy is protected. The third part of the policy states the regulation regarding employee use of person social networking sites. This includes references to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The last part of the policy states the consequences if the policy is broken. This policy is very thorough in the way it is outlined. The policy states exactly why social networking is important in schooling and how it can benefit the students. The policy does not deny teachers the usage of social networking, but rather provides them with information on how to appropriately use social networking tools. This is important because it allows open communication between teachers and students in a way that students like to communicate. This policy is not only limited to social networking such as Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace but also includes Edmodo, blogs, wikis, and other Web 2.0 networking tools. The policy does outline things teachers should not do, such as post pictures of students or post personal information about students. Another strong portion of this policy is that it states the consequences if the policy is not followed, which leave no guessing to the employees. Overall this policy is very strong. However, the policy does not state the actions that should be taken by the teacher if a problem arise on a social networking site. If an inappropriate communication action plan was added to this policy then I believe it would be very effective and would provide teachers with all the information necessary to run a safe and educational networking site. Also, I believe this policy would more effective if it sates the role of the teacher and students when working on a social network.

Pottsville Area School District. (2011). 816. Social Media Policy. Retrieved on July 2, 2012 from http://www.pottsville.k12.pa.us/pasd/Students/Social% 20Media%20Policy%20-%20Students.pdf Pottsville Areas School Districts (PASD) Social Media Policy is to establish rules and guidance for the use of social media by students, employees, and guests. Under this policy, the district clearly defines what social medias sites are and give specific definitions of blogs, microblogs, social networks, media sharing, wikis, and virtual worlds. The policy states that these sites can be beneficial to education however, they do not encourage the use of all during school hours. Similar to other policies, PASD encourages for all privacy settings to be set and for users to be aware of their functions. The policy also emphasis that school use of logos and information should not be posted without written permission to do so. This policy is incredibly thorough and provides specific examples to the readers. The policy leaves no room for guessing and clearly defines the parameters of social media website. The policy provides vary detailed definitions of all items that classify as social media. This policy address the employees of the school system, the students, and visiting guests, which makes all users aware of the school districts expectations when using social media sites. The policy also clearly states what a teacher, student, or visitor should do, should he/she experience inappropriate behavior. Also, this policy states that they have the right to examine the teacher/students social media networks, even if it was the use outside of school. This allows the users to understand that they are an representation of the school system and their actions can have consequences regardless of it was during school hours or not. In addition to the teachers being held responsible, parents and students must also sign the document. This policy encompasses all aspects of media, which can make it overwhelming to the readers. The policy targets employees, students, and visiting users, but the language used in the document would be hard for students and nondistrict employees to relate to. The district requires the parents and students to sign the document, however there is not a child friendly document for the children to have read to them or read themselves. While reading the document, it becomes unclear whom the policy is addressing, however, it other cases it specifically states that it is addressing the teachers, students, or parents. This document would be more efficient if it outlined how a teacher can use the social media site because the policy does state the sites can be beneficial but then it bans the sites during school hours. Rather than the district banning the use of the social media sites during the day, the policy should state how sites should be effectively used and exactly what sites are banned.

Ison Springs Elementary School Social Networking Guide for Teacher and Student Use A. Purpose: Ison Springs Elementary fosters an environment where students and teachers can work cohesively on the internet. ISES recognizes the value or students, teachers, parents, and the community interacting on social networks that are for specific educational purposes. These social networking sites can be used as resource of collaboration and facilitating. Social networking sites include but are not limited to Facebook, Edmodo, Twitter, blogs, wikis, and other Web 2.0 networking tools. A certified or licensed employee may communicate through electronic media with current ISES students for educational purposes. All individuals communicating online must hold him/herself in consent with all Fulton County Policies and regulations. In addition to school employees, all students must uphold the policies stated in the Parent- Student handbook when communicating on social networks. B. Definitions Blogs are web logs or journals where authors and users can post textual, audio, or video content, and where some permit others to post comments on their blogs. Some websites enable individuals to create free standing blogs, other special interest websites use blog tools and message forums to engage users. Microblogs are websites and spaces that allow users to post short blog entries. Twitter is an example, as well as other sites that invite users to post short status and location updates such as Facebook and Foursquare. Social networks are websites where users can create customized profiles and form connections with other users based on shared characteristics and interests. Websites such as Facebook and MySpace tend to foster personal social contact among friends, while websites such as LinkedIn are oriented toward professional networking. Some School Districts and businesses are also establishing a presence on social networks. Media sharing are websites where users post and share videos, audio files and/or photos as well as tag them to enable searchability. Examples include YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, and Google Video. Wikis are resources or documents edited collaboratively by a community of users with varying levels of editorial control by the website publisher. Wikipedia is an example. Virtual worlds Web or software-based platforms that allow users to create avatars or representations of themselves, and through these avatars to meet, socialize and

transact with other users. Second Life and other virtual worlds are used for social purposes and e-commerce, non-profit fundraising, and videoconferencing. C. Establishment of Social Networking Sites for Educational Purposes For an employee to establish a social networking site, educational purposes and communication must be clearly defined through a purpose and desired outcomes. The employee shall apply security settings that protect the students under the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Employees shall make student internet safety, including the protection of students personal information, a priority. The establishing employees must also monitor the content for inappropriate material, only post information pertaining to the purpose and outcome. Ison Springs Elementary prohibits that any employee establish an online social networking relationship with a currently enrolled ISES student on his or her personal social networking sites. For the protection and safety of both employees and students, ISES recommends that communication only take place on the school network. For the use of personal networking sites, employees should maintain professional boundaries. Employees should establish appropriate privacy settings and caution social networking relationships. Employees should also refrain from posting images, videos, or information about colleagues, students, or school district on personal social networking websites. D. Consequences for Inappropriate Social Network Usage All employees and students are expected to know and understand their responsibilities to maintaining and educational environment in the school. Teachers must immediately report any violations or suspicious activities to the Superintendent, and/or designee. Students must immediately report any misconduct or violations to the principal immediately. Teachers are expected to follow all school and district policies, regulation, or procedure. The school district upholds reserve all rights to confiscate and/or monitor school system laptops and other electronic devices if inappropriate behavior is suspected. Disciplinary action and/or termination may occur is an employee is in violation of any policy, regulation or procedure.

I _________________________________ herby, acknowledge and understand the policies stated in the Social Networking Guide for Teachers and Students . ________________________________________________ Signature ______________________________ Date