Thing 18

I have both a Facebook and a Twitter account.  It is very important for educators to know about social networking sites because everyone has them.  They can be very valuable to teachers because they are an easy form of communication.  However, they can be very dangerous because there is so much room for error on these sites.  It's easy to post drunken pictures of your weekend or say a curse word in your status.  It's all too common.  Educators can view these no-no's and get you fired for it, too.  I really like Facebook because I understand it and it's easy to use.  I like how easy it is to create groups and find friends, as well.  I really, really hate Twitter though.  I think its used by mainly self-absorbed people who are constantly glued to the computer or their cell phones.  (Sorry! Don't mean to offend anyone!)  The same could be said about Facebook.  I don't usually like to post a status because I'm a pretty introverted person.  I don't like people to know what I'm doing or feeling 24/7.  

As I said before, Facebook and Twitter can be very dangerous.  I would never use either of these anywhere near a classroom setting.  I like to be professional and there are a lot of risks in posting your life on a social networking site.  I know in the county that I am planning to teach in, Facebook and Twitter accounts are frowned upon, if not prohibited in most schools.  I am planning to delete both my Facebook and Twitter accounts within the next year or so.  I don't want there to be any reason not to be hired because of something I said on Facebook.