Growing Student Career Networks
How can social networking technologies be used for career exploration networks? New communication technologies — especially the Internet — now allow huge numbers of people all over the planet to work together in new ways. Today, new social media applications are leveraging our human nature to “share” or combine our intellects.
While the human activity of “social networking” has existed since of the dawn of humankind. Today’s students are leveraging social media technologies like no generation before them. This acceptance of social networks, as an essential part of one’s life, offers new collaborative opportunities.
Separating the Signal from the Noise
Unlike today’s monolithic social networks and their incumbent chatter, Career Learning Networks have a body of knowledge — detailed career information — that acts as the centerpiece of conversation. They focus dialogue between students, peers, parents and industry professionals. These networks are purpose-built and go well beyond “social,” offering collective insight into very specific areas. The are designed to be person-centric.
This is Still Social Networking 1.0
As the phenomena of social networking continues to grow, traditional educational establishments are embracing their power. The National School Boards Association encourages educators to take advantage of online social networks because students view them so much and because the sites can benefit student-teacher relationships and increase interest in extracurricular activities.
At a music club in a Missouri school, meeting and event attendance increased by 50 to 60 percent after the club created a Facebook profile. Students preferred going there for notifications rather than checking their school e-mail address, which was seen as uncool.
One teacher who uses Facebook to bridge the communication gap between herself and her students said the relationships with some of her students have expanded in ways that never would have happened had their contact been limited to just the classroom. “The students can see from my interests on my profile that I like Eastern philosophy. One of them listed that as an interest too, so we shared thoughts on a topic that would otherwise never have entered our dialog,” wrote Alyssa Giese in a 2007 Teacher Magazine article.
Ethical Considerations of Social Networking
Students also appreciate the informal setting of online communication. One admitted he never would have contributed to class discussions, but the anonymity of online communication emboldened him to participate. That, in turn, changed his teacher’s perception of his discussion abilities.
While the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, private social networks, such as Career Networks, have a narrow focus, are invite only and offer students, parents and teachers behavioral boundaries. Career Networks are places where students can live and grow as professionals. Rather than imposing on everyone’s right to free speech, it’s better to mark boundaries for expression that everyone accepts. Educating parents and students together on the educational benefits of social networking sites can create a better understanding between them as they explore online communication in a more safe and responsible manner.
Written by Todd Borghesani
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