Interested in what information might be out "there" online about yourself? Go Google your name and take a look. Go ahead. I'll wait.
If you have not taken the time to see what your online reputation is, it would be advantageous to do so. Discussions this week in our class focused around Facebook and the vast amount of information people are willing to disclose about themselves and their families. What you post about on a Friday night after having a bit too much to drink will still be online Monday morning when prospective employers begin their online search to see the "real" you behind your flawless interview and picture-perfect resume. What happens on the internet, unfortunately, does not stay on the Internet. Comments or pictures will be accessible to just about anybody and will follow you around, well, forever.
We read and discussed an interesting article that told of a teacher who was disciplined at work for a comment she had made online about her class--a comment that she assumed would only be viewable to an approved audience. (2008, Schaffhauser). This was not the case, however, and her students, colleagues and administrators were able to read what she had posted. While many in the class agree that we have rights to free speech and should be able to express ourselves, educators are held to a higher standard and should conduct themselves with rigor.
What do you think? Should teachers be able to post comments about their school, students and other aspects of their professional life?
Reference:
Schaffhauser, D. (2008). Suspended Teacher in Facebook Incident Ignites Debate: Should Online Privacy for Educators Exist? The Journal. http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23611
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