Thing 14

What did you join? Why? Has your opinion about social networking changed since working on this Thing? What do you see as the educational possibilities (if any) for social networking?

This year I had the experience of a former student creating a Facebook fan page with a picture of me (taken without my consent or knowledge) and making comments attributed to me. Even though from what I could see at a glance the comments were not derrogatory or defaming in any way, I have tried various means to have this page removed (or at least the postings made in my name) since posing as another person constitutes fraud in my book, but I have been powerless to do so thus far. This has set the scene for my opinion about social networking. I read all of the articles for Thing 14 and from these I have learned that it is possible to have some control over who sees your information. However, forgetting to modify even one of the privacy settings could leave one open to an onslaught of unwanted "friends" or worse. As a very private person, I am not convinced that this is an area that I wish to explore at this time. Consequently, I have decided not to join any of the social networking sites. As far as the educational possibilities for social networking, one could join a site like Ning or a special interest group on another site to share with other educators. Also, as a Spanish teacher, it might be possible to make contacts with teachers or other people in Spanish speaking countries which could be beneficial in the professional arena as well. But, from what I have learned through the Newington 23 Things, there are safer and more appropriate ways of achieving the same objectives.