The next few posts over the coming months are going to be a bit different from the previous flow. I would like to continue on with a weekly reflection on some of the aspects of the digital world educators and students are currently navigating. The first is social media for teachers and, digital identity and dualism.
From my very brief experience as an educator, I have seen many educators with social media accounts. It seems like a good idea to me since educators need to be up-to-date individuals with the worlds ever changing society in order to better connect with their students. Social media comes with responsibility though. It's no different in than a student seeing a educator outside the classroom, for example at any sporting event. As a societal role model, a teacher really needs to hold themselves up to a higher civilized standard, especially in a public whether it be a sporting event or through comments on Donald Trumps twitter posts. A persons digital presence is a direct reflection of who they are, when the posts come from themselves of course.
This digital singularity is one aspect that I have recently learned is so prevalent that it is being taught to students. People socialize online as well as in person, so digital civility must be practiced. The concept of digital dualism, where the digital identity is different than physical identity needs to be abolished. Any expression of thought or interaction with another person (whether online or in person) must be met with respect and our youth should have opportunities to learn how to do this.
Very Well said Joe, As teachers we do not stop being teachers when we leave the school. We need to be role models in school, outside of school, online and offline. How can we expect our students to act in a proper manner if we were to do the opposite. I also agree that social media is a great way to connect but as Ben Parker said "with great power comes great responsibility" and you mentioned that nicely.
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I agree with what you said, and Nolan as well. As teachers we must be role models for our students in every aspect (inside and outside of school, online and offline). We have to teach students about the implications of social media, their online presence, and how what they do online can impact their offline life (good/bad).
ReplyDeleteI think you have touched on some very important points in this post Joe. As someone who has been active on Twitter for the last 5-6 years on a personal level my opinion on what should and shouldn't be shared online has changed in the last few years as I have grown closer to becoming a teacher. From following friends activity on social media platforms it amazes me as to what some of them find appropriate to post online for the world to see. I think it is very important for us as educators to educate or students that the online and offline world are connected and you shouldn't say something online that you wouldn't say offline or vice versa. You touched on this when you were talking about digital dualism and as the world is growing more and more towards technology our role as educators will become more crucial towards teaching students about their digital citizenship and how that may impact their future.
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