To social network in the classroom or not to social network in the classroom, that is the question that is on the minds of so many educators across the globe. With the lightning fast pace of technology and the social networks that are available at the click of a mouse such as: Facebook, MySpace, and the ever fast and growing Twitter, each seems to be making its way inside the classroom, in one way shape or form. Now for teachers to decide whether or not they want to use it and even accept their own students as the friends is an easier said than done decision. Its one thing to know your students inside the classroom, but it is a whole new different type of ballgame when the bell rings and they are chatting it up and saying God knows what over the various social networks.
I am not a big fan of Twitter, but its 140 characters are quickly making its way into the classroom. In California, students are already tweeting their way to better grades, and that is just the beginning of some of the uses that allow teachers and students to get assignments covered. But with all the positive things that can come out from social networking, there are still many mixed opinions on the subject, which is too be expected. The internet is not always the safest place for kids with predators always on the prowl, and there are cases where a few teachers and students develop intimate relationships, which are always ground for concern, but I digress. Social networking is the new wave of the future, and even though there are a few bad seeds out there, that will not hinder me from using this source in my own classroom with no ramifications on my part because quite frankly, I know how to be professional and put business way ahead of any other matter.
