This week in our master’s class we were required to create an online identity. I created an online profile using Google Profile. You can view my profile by clicking here: Jonathan C- Google Profile
Our class text books give some good tips as to how to create an effective webpage. The tips are “web pages should be easy to read, navigate, well organized, easy to interact and easy to locate.” (Gunter, Gunter, & Shelly, 2010, p. 186.) I do not have much experience with online profiles as I do not have a MySpace, Face book, or other online social networking accounts. I just missed out on that phase in college. After I graduated from college is when all the freshmen were creating all their accounts to link each other together, and after I graduated, I just never really had time to create profiles on the internet. After doing this assignment, I think I will try to create a profile and a website for my students to follow next school year. I think this will help them get to know me and complete their assignments if they are absent. I will not include any personal information on the website, like pictures of my family or my phone number, but I will include a little information about myself. An embarrassing side note: My first year teaching on my syllabus in the contact information section where I wanted to put the school phone number and my extension I accidentally put my cell phone number. The night before the students first day, I checked over the syllabus, noticed the error, and had to change the number on 200 syllabi.
Our class text books give some good tips as to how to create an effective webpage. The tips are “web pages should be easy to read, navigate, well organized, easy to interact and easy to locate.” (Gunter, Gunter, & Shelly, 2010, p. 186.) I do not have much experience with online profiles as I do not have a MySpace, Face book, or other online social networking accounts. I just missed out on that phase in college. After I graduated from college is when all the freshmen were creating all their accounts to link each other together, and after I graduated, I just never really had time to create profiles on the internet. After doing this assignment, I think I will try to create a profile and a website for my students to follow next school year. I think this will help them get to know me and complete their assignments if they are absent. I will not include any personal information on the website, like pictures of my family or my phone number, but I will include a little information about myself. An embarrassing side note: My first year teaching on my syllabus in the contact information section where I wanted to put the school phone number and my extension I accidentally put my cell phone number. The night before the students first day, I checked over the syllabus, noticed the error, and had to change the number on 200 syllabi.
I believe that the level of information teachers give out to students depends on each teacher’s philosophy. I have seen teachers give out their home phone number to parents and students so they can be in contact with each other at any time of day. I have asked those teachers why they give out their personal number, and they all have told me that they want to be there for the students if they need any help. My fear is that most students would abuse the number and call at 2:00 a.m. Those teachers assured me that no students have ever called at inappropriate times. To me those teachers are taking a huge risk in this day and age of giving out their personal number, and I do not think I would do that. I tell my students that I check my school email several times a night and that if they need anything, they should email me, and I will get back to them as quickly as possible. Perhaps in your comments you all can write about how much personal information you feel is appropriate to give to students.
After completing the assignment I Googled myself to see if there was any information about me on the internet. I was shocked to see that the first Google hit had my current address. It was a website that gave out all of my community’s addresses and how much each house was bought for. This is quite disturbing since I have been teaching for OCPS and any one of my students can Google my name and find my address. I am going to email someone at the real estate company and ask them to take my name off of the website.
In conclusion, I learned that the internet is a useful tool to connect with students. It is important for them to be able to find a healthy amount of information about me on the internet, but they should not find any personal information.
References:
Gunter, G. A., Gunter, R. E., & Shelly, G.B. (2010). Integrating technology and digital media in the classroom (6th ed.). United States
I agree about the personal information. I am always fearful that one day a disgruntled student or parent will show up at my door mad at the world. Because my wife is also a teacher we go to great lengths to try and protect our personal information. I am always Googling our name and address to see what information is available for students to find.
ReplyDeleteIt’s very difficult now to lead a private life as a public educator. It’s as though our entire life is put on a forum for the world to see. In my opinion there should be laws put into place to protect educator’s right to privacy. If I am not mistaken we have these laws for police officers, but not for educators?