Scootle is an online learning site that provides resources and resource sharing amongst a group of people, in this case Education. Resources include multimedia, assessments, images, audio etc that are automatically categorised into each department. This is potentially a very good resource for those starting out as teachers like myself, or generating new ideas for units of work. How far you use the information is up to the individual.
Social networking sites are different in the fact they are used for people that have common interests or feel the need to communicate to others through cyber space. Currently there are various types of social networks including Facebook, Bebo and Twitter to name a few, and allow various types of interactions between friends, family or strangers depending on the function of the site. What I am afraid of is the use of information that is provided on such sites, that is free and open to be used by the owner. Not only can individuals see your information, but it can be sold off to various companies and/or people to be used for such things as market research. Even with privacy settings, logins and passwords, there are ways round these and unfortunately can be used with devastating effects.
Social networks within school environment are a big no no in my book. It creates clusters of groups and/or bullying may occur that are hard to administer. Keeping these sites free from anti social behaviour and code wording would be far beyond any ones job and could turn into negative thing. On the other, online learning can be interactive and resourceful for both student and teacher creating more information that can be accumulated. This would benefit all and therefore be a positive affect on the learning environment.
Commented on Nick Phillipson Blog: “I am engaging with my colleagues through my Facebook then they are aware this is on friend and social level, not a professional engagement.”. I believe that social networking is for friends and family only. It keeps the individual up to date and communicating to those either far away or too busy to be able to meet regularly. Keeping a professional distance is definitely something that is on teachers minds whether its students or colleagues, as conflict in the workplace is not a good thing!
Reference: http://www.theyoungestcandidate.com/main/Portals/0/twitter_logo.png
http://www.ict.schools.nt.gov.au/images/scootle.gif
http://dsc.discovery.com/technology/tech-10/gallery/social-networking/social-networking-625x450.jpg
Retrieved: 18th May 2010
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