Two Social Networking Scenarios in the Classroom

Coming out of a conversation in a workshop led by Robyn Treyvaud, these graphics illustrate two contrasting ways to go about introducing social networking into the classroom. The second model is my preferred approach. I have used this approach very successfully with blogging. I am also starting to use it with Twitter and Facebook. Of course, with Facebook, the students are already on it, already allowed, but receive almost no guidance about how to use it constructively for academic and personal purposes. Sam Sherratt

Scenario One Teaching students everything they need to know before letting them go.

Allow
Safe Under teacher control Trust handed over to students when they are ready

Educate

Negative assumption that all students need to be told how to use something responsibly and ethically Teacher control = less student involvement Restricted student use gives teachers little to work with

Scenario Two Letting students go and then using their experiences as opportunities to teach.

Educate

Allow

Positive assumption that most students know how to use something responsibly and effectively Trust already in place Mistakes, like successes, are experiences to learn from and build on Early/immediate student involvement gives teachers a lot to work with
Risky Open to criticism by others Potential for public student mistakes