Social Networks

Social networks are becoming more popular today and they can be used to further an individual's personal and professional life. I remember when I heard about Myspace and Facebook a few years ago. I initially did not join either of these social networks. I eventually joined Facebook while in my undergraduate education and since then have benefited from using online social networks particularly Facebook. I know many people spend (or waste) a lot of time online on Facebook "stalking" individuals' profiles as some would say. Personally, I really like how I can connect with other individuals whether its a person I would like to know more about and become a "friend" with online or it's communicating with a professional, professor, grad student and or employer and making those professional connections that will help me land a job down the road. In addition I like how I can easily share information and receive information through these professional contacts I have made. I just recently added a PhD grad student who studying Marriage Family Therapy at MSU by adding him on Facebook and sending him a small introductory message. Now we are in communication and he is helping me come in and shadow Marriage Family Therapists at the Family Clinic on campus.

My students are 3,4 and 5-year-olds, so I'm assuming they don't have a Facebook page yet. And is it okay for teachers to become "friends" with their students on Facebook? Depending on the situation I think there are times when it is plausible for a teacher and student to make that social connection on Facebook. The good thing is that more social networking websites are being developed and created specifically for the educational purposes rather than the social purposes. Edmodo sounds like a great website that allows teachers and students interact in a social network online in an appropriate teacher-student relationship.