Social Networks in the Schools

One of maybe the most important advances in technology that affect school today is Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.These social networks have changed the way that communication is done in schools.The schools I work at have at least three different pages or groups on Facebook that parents can look up different events that are happening at our school.Social networks are a new way for students to be able to talk to each other.Parents of students can also be able to communicate with each other and be able to know what is happening in their student’s class.High School and College students can keep in touch with each other when living far away from each other.I keep in touch with classmates I had when I went to Concordia Seward during undergrad.Families can also keep in touch across the country.My mom’s family has a group on Facebook with over 60 different members across the country.Social networks are a great way for many different groups of people to keep in touch with each other.

There are many positives with social networks that people like to use.However there are some negatives that can adversely affect students, parents, and teachers.Majority of the behavioral problems that occurred last year started out on Facebook.Facebook is a great way to students to talk to each other but is there any monitoring what is put on Facebook.Once you put something out on social networks, its there forever and everyone can read it.A student told us last year that most students will have two accounts.One account that their parents set up for them and that they check on.Students will have another account that they make on their own where there is no one monitoring what is being put on the web site.A simple joke about someone on Facebook usually erupted into much bigger disputes at school a few days later.It was easy to see how fast comments at home on Facebook one night can erupt into a fight between 5 or more people the next day.We have to rely on maturity that most high school students don’t have in order to be able to deal with it.Since they’re not mature enough yet to handle it, the result is usually some form of confrontation at school.Talking with students and parents I think are very important in educating both students and parents about the dangers of what social networks can do in school.We have started a Social Media class this year as another avenue in order to educate students with what people can do with them and how to respectfully navigate the sites.

My name is Michael Koch.  I teach High School Science and PE at a Lutheran High School in Decatur IL.  I am the assistant head football coach/defensive coordinator and head track coach for 5th thru 8th and high school.  I am married to a kindergarten teacher at the same school with three girls, Morgan (5) - starting kindergarten at our school, Claire (3), and Grace (3 months).  I am a certified athletic trainer working part time at a local hospital working high school games.  I received a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science from Concordia Seward and a Master Degree in Kinesiology from Illinois State University.