Running head: Technology Issues

Technology Issues
Kimberly Poulin
EDU 352
Lisa Sill
December 15, 2014

Technology Issues

I chose to research the issue of how to show students how to edit their privacy settings
and use groups in Facebook instead of banning online social networks because theyre
dangerous and/or frivolous. I do not disagree that Facebook is frivolous, but it also provides a
service for long distant relationships, friends, family, etc. Students nonetheless deserve to know
how to avoid the dangers of the social globe while keeping up with family and important groups.
Values in the use of Facebook vary from one culture to another, much less individually. The
issues of values becomes even more critical as social software crosses the boundaries of peoples
cultures to pervade every aspect of their lives, from personal relationships to work, from play to
education (Pereira, 2013). Teaching students how to monitor their personal accounts and
adjusting their settings as to whom and how much of their audience is allowed to view can make
the difference in their personal well-being. However, mobile technology brings along increased
threats to system and data security and privacy, given the fact that learners and educators are
mobile, and in most cases, permitted to use their own mobile device to access resources and
services (Kambourakis, 2013). The saying stick and stones may break my bones but words cant
hurt me, is as far from the truth as a bully is being kind. On Facebook, everyone has the power to
attack others for whatever reason causing turmoil in a variety of ways. Not only do our students
face cyber bullying, they also have to watch out for other predators that will try to convince them
to do things that they may not usually do. These issues seem dangerous and how do we face
dangers? We educate ourselves to their techniques, same as teaching our students how to avoid
specific issues by teaching them about their privacy settings and their value. Facebook is worth
considering as a communal space, albeit one that requires discretion (Schwartz, 2010) Teaching
the students about social security, personal settings, and safe groups, then students will be better
prepared for their futures as adults using technology.

Technology Issues

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References

Kambourakis, G. (2013). Security and Privacy in m-Learning and Beyond: Challenges and Stateof-the-art. International Journal Of U- & E-Services, Science & technology, 6(3), 67-84
McLeod, S. (2010, November 22). If we were really serious about educational technology [Web log post].
Retrieved from http://bigthink.com/ideas/if-we-were-really-serious-about-educational-technology

Pereira, R. Baranauskas, M.C., & da Silva, S.P. (2013). Social Software and Educational
Technology: Informal, Formal and Technical Values. Journal Of Educational
Technology & Society. 16(1). 4-14
Schwartz, H.L. (2010). Facebook. The New Classroom Commons? Education Digest Essential
Readings condensed For Quick Review, 75(5), 39-42.