Thing #22 Explore Social Networking

I have been using Myspace and Facebook for quite some time now.

My Myspace is www.myspace.com/bigdaddydill

My Facebook is http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1190355857&ref=name

I first began using myspace and facebook because my kids were using them and I wanted to see what it was all about. I teach Sunday School and have become "friends with" several of my students. This really gives me an insight as to what students are doing and thinking. This insight also helps me with my students. My students know that I have a myspace and facebook and several have asked to be my friend. I don't ask students to be friends, but if they ask me then I allow it. I like the idea that my students see that I'm human and have a life outside of school and I like the opportunity it provides me to be involved on another level with my students. The more I know about my students, the easier it is to reach them in the classroom.

I like facebook more than myspace because of the applications that are available and my college kids don't use myspace anymore. I like having the ability to see what's going on in my kids' lives and being able to communicate with them too makes it even better.

I don't know if I would use facebook or myspace for the classroom. I just don't think the two mix very well. That being said, I do use it for the classroom by gaining a better understanding of my students to apply to my classroom.