9 Things to Tell Your Teachers About Social Media

  by  Gigi Ibrahim 

This article was originally published in February, 2012 - before my blog had any readers.   I thought this post deserved another shot - enjoy.

9 Things to Tell Your Teachers About Social Media

Teachers are always looking for guidance about how to interact with students online.  Social Media provides valuable two-way communication between teachers and their students but district policies are often non-existent or vaguely written.  Many teachers guess at what to do or ignore social media all together.

Don’t let your teachers ignore the benefits of social media, start the conversation and help get them started.

1. Separate your Personal and Your Professional
You would never tell your class about the kegger you went to on Friday so why let them see the pictures on your Facebook page?  Consider creating separate pages for school use.  

2. Write - Edit - Write Again
Check your work.  Remember that everything you put online is there forever.  Readers will give your writing a voice - make sure it’s a pleasant one.  Actively moderate your page.

3. Relevance
Keep your posts relevant to your class.  Avoiding using your professional pages to air political or personal opinions.

4. Be Wary of Friending Students
I know sometimes this is avoidable but keep in mind that everything a friend posts has the potential to show up in your stream.  Immediately delete or block any questionable material that shows up on your wall, stream, or channel.

5. Limit Interactions to Your Public Page
Don’t send private emails to your students.  Keep all communications public; on those rare occasions when you send private emails, cc an administrator or parent.  

6. Don’t Speak for Your School or Division
They pay people for that … stick to your class.

7. Don’t Reveal Confidential Information
‘Nough said.

8. Do Expand Your Classroom
Provide links, extra information, podcasts, materials, anything that will expand and add to what you do in the classroom.

9. Remember All Division Policies Apply
Despite what many believe, teachers can and do get fired for inappropriate online conduct.  Always, always, always err on the side of caution.

This article was originally published in February, 2012 - before my blog had any readers.  As I prepare to present on the importance of developing a PLN at VSTE 2012 in December, I am going back through and reviewing older posts on social media.