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From MySpace to My Job: Online Interaction Prepares Students for Employment
By Chris O’Neal
1/7/08Last year, I blogged a bit about social networking. I want to revisit the issue, since I continue to receive emails with questions about where to find safe alternatives to the mainstream sites, or teacher-oriented social networks, as well as invitations to come discuss the issue with school boards, and so on. I'll respond to some of that below.
First, a few updated statistics on the social-networking phenomenon. According to a recent Pew Internet study, about 55 percent of teens have online profiles on MySpace or Facebook, and that percentage continues to grow. Also according to Pew, "Two in five (42 percent) teens who use social-networking sites also say they blog. And, in keeping with the conversational nature of social media, social-networking teens are also interacting with others' blogs.
"Seven in ten (70 percent) social-networking teens report reading the blogs of others, and three in four (76 percent) social-networking teens have posted comments to a friend's blog on a social-networking site," the report added. So, why should educators care about social networking?
I visited a few high schools recently to chat informally with some teens. The handful I spoke with had nothing in their online presence I would consider inappropriate or alarming. I did find some music or video issues that either crossed the copyright line or teetered right on it, however, and we had some insightful discussions about that, of course.
There are also numerous reports around the world about some of the seedier, and sometimes dangerous, aspects of social networking. Although that issue does exist, I found a lot of original poetry and music and a wealth of creative writing and interacting. I also did a rundown of the skills I see in action on a site like Facebook, such as producing, collaborating, communicating, writing, creating, reading, decision making, social interacting, and countless technology skills.
Interestingly enough, a report entitled "Are They Really Ready to Work?" (released in October 2006 by the Conference Board, Corporate Voices for Working Families, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and the Society for Human Resource Management) suggests that some of these skills are growing in importance in the workforce, including capabilities in critical thinking, information technology, collaboration, creativity, and innovation. In my opinion, the abilities required in social networking and those needed in the "real world" outside school aren't that different.
I know many educators who are working hard to key into these skills, but in the context of an educational atmosphere. To me, that's an ideal approach -- use social-networking technology skills while addressing content and curricular standards.
How do you feel about social networking? Do you think of it as a skill-building resource for teens growing up in a world in which collaboration is becoming increasingly important? Please share your thoughts.
Tips for interviews
Submitted by Natalia Giammarinaro (not verified) on January 28, 2008 - 21:47.
Hello my name is Natalia Giammarinaro and I am currently in my master's program through Walden University for Reading and Literacy. Part of my current assignment is to participate in an educational blog. I have heard all about blogging and that it is a very popular way to communicate with friends, family and collegaues. Since I currently do not have my own classroom and this is my first time participating in a blog I probably do not have a whole lot to add to anyone's postings. What I do hope to get out of this is a few tips for interviewing. I am very nervous about this process and what to expect. What types of questions should I expect to get at an interview? What are some do's and don't in interviewing? When they ask "tell me about yourself" what is the best way to answer that question? Should I provide personal information or keep it about my educational background?
I look forward to meeting others through this experience and hope that after some practice with this I can give some of my own insight on others postings.
Interview
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 30, 2008 - 22:58.
Every interview is as different as every person! Hi, Natalia. Let me be honest with you-you should be honest in your interview an believe that you will get the job that you were meant to get-having said that know that you will interview many times and either decline the job or not be asked back for the job! Do dress like a professional and not like someone going to the gym or to Walmart. Bring your pictures of your teaching experiences. Tell good things about yourself and show that you are interested in growing or learning more in some areas. Ask a few questions yourself-they need a teacher-you don't really need their position-you may find a better one- but how will you know if you can't remember what the interview was like or you don't ask questions. I'd ask what is your teacher turnover? What type of inservices do you offer teachers? Do you have a school scrapbook or annual I could see? What grades do you have openings in-if you have read their postings ask which jobs you are being considered for-tell the grade you want to teach. I turned down several jobs because I wanted a specific grade and I wanted to teach with a group that worked well together. I don't like to work in the middle of conflict!
When I was asked to tell about myself I shared about where I attended college, where I student taught, where I lived, my philosophy in education and the grades I was interested in teaching. I told a little about church and marriage because I wanted to give a true picture of myself. I was ready to discuss the latest buzz words in education and a few principals asked me questions in which I threw those words in!
I hope this helps!
Tammy
Interviewing for a school position
Submitted by Kandi (not verified) on March 23, 2008 - 06:36.
You gave me some very useful questions to ask at an interview. I like going on interviews regardless of whether I get the job or not. This helps me to see what schools are looking for. One of the things that I do is go on-line and research the school out that I am going on an interview for. This enlightens me in order to see where they are and what the community or parents think of the school. I also like to call teacher who may work there in order to get their take on how their school is.
Thanks again for your questions to included in another interview.
I agree with the majority
Submitted by Alisha (not verified) on January 28, 2008 - 11:23.
I agree with the majority that some kind of social networking in school would be beneficial. I believe that if we can model an appropriate use of the internet to our students we would create a lot less problems in the future. We also would be able to expose more technology to our students in a positive way.
MySpace
Submitted by Tammy Callis (not verified) on January 22, 2008 - 16:06.
I love MySpace. I talk to my family, colleagues, and good friends daily!
I teach kindergarten and I would love for our school system to develop a social network for students and teachers. As educators, we are so pressed for time each day, do we really have the time to share their exciting news, heartbreaks and concerns. I have been in a few classrooms where students do not have time to ask questions.
I give my students a lot of opportunities to discuss each of these items in class. Many children do not know how to interact with one another. As teachers we model this. We could model it in a chatroom too!
I'd love to hear your opinion!
Tammy
My Space for teachers and students and others
Submitted by Theresa Knox (not verified) on January 25, 2008 - 06:56.
I facilitate a seminar series for high school students willing to explore careers in geriatrics and gerontology. The Young Gerontologist Career Program was developed about 5 years ago. I would love to develop a my space for all the students who have completed the program as well as the students who are currently involved to talk about their ambitions and to ask them are they currently studying in the field. It would provide the additional mentoring and support the students need to succeed. They could speak with their peers as well as some of the guest speakers they met.
Myspace for teachers, etc.
Submitted by Chris ONeal (not verified) on January 26, 2008 - 16:32.
Theresa, that's a great idea. I think that's one of the most powerful uses of social networking - just keeping people connected around a common theme. Thanks for sharing.
Chris O'Neal
myspace
Submitted by Crystal VanZile (not verified) on January 24, 2008 - 17:56.
Tammy, I know what you mean about myspace. I used to use myspace. It was the only way that I kept in contact with some family and friends. Unfortunately, I have heard that many school districts will not interview candidates if they have myspaces. In a local school district, one teacher was almost let go upon the district finding out that she had a myspace. She agreed to delete her myspace in order to keep her job. I understand the districts concerns with all of the problems that are out there with people using it inappropriately. It is unfortunately though for those who use it to keep in touch with friends and loved ones.
I agree, if we want our students to appropriately communicate with one another, we need to model proper communication.
curious
Submitted by Melissa Metzger (not verified) on January 28, 2008 - 22:47.
Crystal~ I am slightly confused about your reply to Tammy. I do, understand what you were saying about using communication devices appropriatly. What my question for you is, did you get rid of your myspace because of your teaching position? If not, what was your reason for quitting to use it? I have a myspace page and it is set to private to no one can see anything posted on my page without my approval. Although there is nothing inapproprite by any means on my page, I don't want my students to have that type of available access to my personal life. They don't need to know what I do when I leave there, unless I choose to share that information with them in class. I currently teach second graders, so this isn't a huge problem at this stage, but I was suprised to hear that people aren't getting hired simply because they have a myspace page. That seems to be a fine line to tread, in my opinion. Educators are allowed to have a personal life. If one chooses not to have a page is differnt from not being allowed to have one. I for one, would be upset if I were told I had to get rid of it, because I do infact use it to keep in touch with friends across the country. Just curious I suppose about your posting that's all. Thanks for sharing! :)
Blogging-reply to Crystal
Submitted by Tammy Callis (not verified) on January 26, 2008 - 12:08.
Thank you for sharing your myspace knowledge. I had not heard that information about myspace. Do you just use a lot of emails to keep in contact with family and friends or have you found other ways? I use smilebox to share picture albums with family and friends. I am considering getting permission to use it for my classroom.
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