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TCTA's Communication Specialist
My 57-year-old father recently sent me a friend request on Facebook. He finally bit the bullet and was persuaded to join the millions of people who use this social media networking tool for both business and personal reasons. Since he doesn’t do texting or pictures on his emergency cell phone with limited minutes, I am excited that I’ll be able to share information with him cheaper, faster and easier.
I love Facebook. Since my entire extended family is in Ohio, this social networking site has given me a means to communicate with them on a more regular basis. I’m also able to keep track of my high school friends from Plano. While it is a useful tool for long-distance relationships, it is also a wonderful resource for people who live in my town. I’ve gotten to know my co-workers better. I learn about events around town. I like that I can share exciting news with my 152 friends all at once, and any one of them can comment. It’s kind of like having a support group of people who would never be in the same place otherwise. It’s fun to see what comments might come from my mom, cousin, childhood best friend, running partner and former professor when I post an interesting link.
Of course, it can also be used professionally. TCTA has a group page where I post important current information. It’s Election Day! Nominate a senior for our new scholarship! Enter a contest for a classroom makeover! If you’re not already a member, you’re missing out.
For district coordinating council and local CTA officials, you can create a group and let people know when meetings are. For teachers, you can start discussion topics and learn about how your peers are handling similar situations statewide.
In summary, Facebook is a one-stop shop for people looking to connect. It is an efficient way to communicate to a large number of people at once. That said, be aware of your account’s privacy settings. Take advantage of the control you have over who sees your information, photos, posts and more.
Twitter is another social media networking tool, and it’s much simpler. You don’t even have to “tweet” (that is, share your information with others in 140 characters or less). Many people use Twitter just to stay up to date. I follow a smorgasbord of people and companies including Newsweek, Ellen, Clinton Kelly, CNN, Jamie Oliver, my favorite local DJ, my city’s newspaper, co-workers, Jewel, and the Texas Education Agency, to name a few. As I write this, I have Twitter on the other monitor and am following a Houston Chronicle reporter who is giving frequent updates from a heated Houston ISD board meeting. My favorite local TV news station uses it to break news, as well as solicit ideas and interviews for time-sensitive stories from the public.
As a teacher, you can use Twitter to remind your students about an upcoming test or the due date for an important assignment. There is an option to send and receive “tweets” directly on your cell phone if you have Internet capabilities. So even if you send out the “tweet” from your computer, some students will be able to respond by texting. I only wish I had that kind of access to my teachers when I was younger. TCTA also “tweets” so be sure you’re following us.
Twitter and Facebook are very beneficial ways to stay in touch with TCTA and your colleagues over the summer (and during the school year) and to strengthen existing and new connections.
HOW TO GET CONNECTED
FACEBOOK
If you’re interested in learning more, go to www.facebook.com to set up a profile, and use your primary e-mail address so you can get e-mail notifications. Use the Friends button (pictured on the upper lefthand side of your page) to add friends. Friends are people who will be able to see your profile and read your status updates. You have to accept a friend request in order for people to see your information. The middle icon on the upper lefthand side is for e-mailing Facebook friends. The globe icon to the right of that will alert you when your friends comment on your status updates. To change your status, just start typing in the box that says “What’s on your mind?” To comment on your friends’ status updates, just click the “Comment” button.
TWITTER
If you’re not already on Twitter and would like to see what all the fuss is about, go to www.twitter.com and click on “Get Started Now” to set up an account. Once you’re logged in, click on the tab in the upper righthand corner that says “Find People.” Here, you will be able to type in individual and company names and then you’ll be given the option to “follow” them. Once you’re following someone, their tweets will show up on your Home page. To respond to a tweet, simply hit the “Reply” button that’s on the bottom righthand side of each tweet.
A little common sense goes a long way
Many teachers who engage in social networking sites regard them as a convenience or a diversion and are unaware of the impact they can have on their employment. Always be mindful that anything you post on the Internet could be viewed by an unintended audience that includes your students, parents and your principal. As with any electronic media, such as e-mail, assume anything that you post will be viewed by the general public no matter how careful you are with your privacy settings.
Professional boundaries must always be observed. Failure to recognize those boundaries could result in loss of your current position or even your certificate.
Individual school districts can have their own policies in regards to social media that should be strictly adhered to.
If you are a current TCTA member and have questions about how your online activities or text messaging could impact your professional life, please call our Legal Department at (888) 879-8282.
Posted: 6/10/10
