Safety first but don't forget what's next when students use social media

Safety first but don't forget what's next when students use social media

I was looking forward to checking out this post from my Twitter feed:

Students Talk #Facebook on #Vimeo | @scoopithttp://t.co/Ky5mAz9Iu2#KSFY#SocialMedia#digcit#edchat#edbublogs
— ICTPHMS (@ICTPHMS) February 19, 2014

I'm thrilled that schools like the Patrick Henry Middle School are willing to put themselves out there and share in the mainstream media that Facebook isn't something to be afraid of, but rather we can teach students to use it safely.

Maybe I'm just impatient, but aren't we ready to move past the conversation about the fact that Facebook won't kill you and travel toward this:

Social media goes beyond keeping #stuvoice out of trouble and on to giving them a voice in convos that matter http://t.co/vfu8v74D8U
— Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) February 22, 2014

Let's bring attention to all the great ways students and teachers are using social media platforms like Facebook to do things like strengthen the home - school connection or provide a platform for students and teachers to have a voice in the issues that affect them or upset them or make global connections to transform a classroom and a community.

As educators it is indeed our job to keep student safe in the environments in which they participate, but as Facebook celebrates its tenth anniversary, aren't we ready to move beyond the most basic of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Lisa Nielsen writes for and speaks to audiences across the globe about learning innovatively and is frequently covered by local and national media for her views on “Passion (not data) Driven Learning,” "Thinking Outside the Ban" to harness the power of technology for learning, and using the power of social media to provide a voice to educators and students. Ms. Nielsen has worked for more than a decade in various capacities to support learning in real and innovative ways that will prepare students for success. In addition to her award-winning blog, The Innovative Educator, Ms. Nielsen’s writing is featured in places such as Huffington Post, Tech & Learning, ISTE Connects, ASCD Wholechild, MindShift, Leading & Learning, The Unplugged Mom, and is the author the book Teaching Generation Text.

Disclaimer: The information shared here is strictly that of the author and does not reflect the opinions or endorsement of her employer.

Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) has worked as a public-school educator and administrator since 1997. She is a prolific writer best known for her award-winning blog, The Innovative Educator. Nielsen is the author of several books and her writing has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Tech & Learning.  

Disclaimer: The information shared here is strictly that of the author and does not reflect the opinions or endorsement of her employer.