tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256508846511627364.post511512444766333757..comments2023-07-03T04:01:52.401-06:00Comments on Jorgie's Learning Blog: Response to Ryan Bretag: Should we or shouldn't we....mbjorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888253838240458522noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256508846511627364.post-60783280916465486162009-04-04T12:21:00.000-06:002009-04-04T12:21:00.000-06:00Thanks Ryan, Yours is one of the first comments o...Thanks Ryan, Yours is one of the first comments on my blog, and I agree, I am probably painting with a very broad brushstroke. <BR/><BR/>I am going to have to think about your points before I can respond fully. One, thing I really would like to understand better is this idea about kids just migrating to a new hangout. It seems to be common sense that kids will move to a new hangout either physically or virtually when adults invade it, but my questions are: Should we knowingly avoid the tool because we know that younger people will abandon it when we adopt it? Do we consciously choose to let young people build an environment that allows them a false sense of 0 adult supervision?mbjorgensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10888253838240458522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256508846511627364.post-21025589335888964622009-03-30T18:43:00.000-06:002009-03-30T18:43:00.000-06:00Hi Jorgie:Thanks for the comment on my blog and th...Hi Jorgie:<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment on my blog and this was my response. I thought I'd share here since you have a nice post up. Again, thanks for engaging in a nice discussion about what all this means.<BR/><BR/>Here are some thoughts that are running through my mind when reading your comment:<BR/><BR/>1. Don’t we let kids have their hangouts now in the physical? I never went to my students’ hangouts and there were invites. For me, the reasons why I didn’t are obvious. I see Facebook as their hangout and don’t want to invade their space even with an invite. I am on Facebook but not for merging my virtual hangout with their virtual hangout.<BR/><BR/>2. The logic of adults being fearful of being available to their students doesn’t resonate with me. I don’t think choosing not to connect with students on Facebook is a fear of being available. I think for some, there are better options.<BR/><BR/>3. If we stake claim in that world, I personally believe students will find somewhere else to go.<BR/><BR/>4. I agree with you that guidelines are huge and that broader discussion is need.<BR/><BR/>5. I couldn’t agree more about being selective. This simply creates more problems.<BR/><BR/>Finally, I read your other post and think you may be painting with too broad of a stroke yourself. I don’t think asking these questions is a sign of being a technophobe. I think it is a sign of being a responsible adult and a thoughtful person that takes the time to see both sides and asks many questions.<BR/><BR/>If connecting that post to mine, I’ll say why Facebook. If your goal is to help students understand social networking, I think you may just be cutting the students short. They understand it and could teach us a few things (maybe an argument for Facebook connections). However, I think it can be done in a variety of social networks.<BR/><BR/>I also think we do our profession a disservice by not educating the adults. Your focus is on students. Great! But, how about the teachers? How about the young teacher with four years of a digital footprint from college?<BR/><BR/>As I stated when I began my post, this isn’t about attacking social networking, creating fear, or blaming technology. This is about putting asking some hard questions and including a wide range of stakeholder in the discussion.Ryan Bretaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08385152102341218966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256508846511627364.post-90256289173504032142009-03-30T16:47:00.000-06:002009-03-30T16:47:00.000-06:00This is an interesting debate that wasn't even an ...This is an interesting debate that wasn't even an issue 15 years ago. The times really have changed. <A HREF="http://www.onlinelearning-insider.com" REL="nofollow">Online learning</A> is an option for school attendance in some districts, and definitely for college students. As it relates to grade, middle and high-schoolers, I personally agree that it's important to have emotionally and relationally healthy adults make their presence known in social networking arenas which children and teens frequent like facebook, twitter, and myspace. As you suggested, guidelines for interaction should be established ahead of time so no one is surprised by the possibility of a later administrative decision based on a teacher's online behavior. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for posting this!Online Learning Insiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10825901861067237170noreply@blogger.com