Because in our English curriculum, we teach them analysis. There is nothing for them to Google to get a correct answer on a test because they are usually writing an essay. For grammar quizzes, they aren't on their phones, though it probably wouldn't help them if they were. A few years ago, a girl turned in a typed essay that was lightyears ahead of her typical work. I googled the first line of the paper and found it online. She re-did the assignment for a 70 under direct supervision. Another time, the kids were writing an "original" song. Again, a girl turned in a song that was using far advanced vocabulary from this student's level (and it was rap, no less, so damn...) I googled that and found the song. The girl actually wanted to have an attitude about it, but I nipped that in the bud and she re-did the assignment. We're probably "progressive" at my school, but we can progress or become dinosaurs. For instance, I didn't give the girls a zero after cheating. I made them actually do the assignment. There's no learning that takes place in a zero.
I don't remember the show but on some sitcom I was watching years ago the teacher had assigned students to write an original poem and recite it in class. One guy recited the lyrics from a Van Halen song. Teacher didn't say anything but was laughing telling about it in the teachers lounge later.
Teachers' choice in ours but I've seen problems arise even with teachers "friending" parents of kids they teach. Just takes one tee tiny thing to send this into a mess." I freakin hate facebook and don't do it.
EBR's "secret" policy is that anyone on a social network that has EBR Schools listed as a place of employment can be held liable for controversial posts. This is part of the new "costumer service" policy put in by the new superintendent.
Basically, no one I work with will officially put the name of our district on FB, but that doesn't stop everyone from the principal on down posting "bragging" things about the school, itself. If I post anything about teaching, it's always, always positive. FB is not a place, in my opinion, to complain. That's what this place is for...
This is a tricky area. I'm at a point now where several of my students are best friends with my older daughter, as in, they come to the house frequently, spend the night, go on short weekend trips with us, etc. So, I'm friends with their parents on FB and publicly. So far, it hasn't been a problem, but it's a different experience. Plano is funny, really. There are 300,000 people in this city, but we absolutely cannot go anywhere without running into people I know from teaching. Yesterday alone, my younger daughter and I ran into 3 of my former students and their parents while we were out running errands. So, whether I am "friends" with someone on social media or not, I'm never away from the public eye, anyway.
Agree with some of the negative comments about FB although I've had an account for 5 years and has worked well. Roughly 75% of people I know are on it and helps keep up with people and their growing families. Annoying people don't bother me and kind of make me feel better about myself and smarter in general. It also helps when I randomly run into someone and have something to bring up. I've only had about 3 status updates in 5 years and comment maybe once/month. It's a little too "showy" and I agree with the "Walmart of Social Media" tag that it's received.
I've been on linkedin a few years. Although I'm also not very active there, I've had about a dozen recruiters or HR personnel send details of job openings. FB is mostly family and high school friends. LinkedIn helps keep up with numerous former co-workers. After working for 15 years in Houston for many different areas of a fairly large company (since sold to a Private Equity group), linkedin is a good reminder for how many (hundreds?) of people I've gotten to know on at least a little bit of a personal level.
I think the biggest issue people have with FB is that it's a reflection of your identity for the world to see. On many sites similar to Tigerfan, there's a sense of anonymity. FB is similar to Tigerfan in many ways also. People discussing topics and current events, whether controversial or just random thoughts. I often see many of the same topics posted here on my FB feed. Just to play Devil's Advocate, wouldn't you rather discuss LSU football with people you know? Wouldn't you rather know what a good friend feels about same sex marriage rather than a mystical all-knowing (possible robot) known as red on Tigerfan. FB is scary because of all the potential pitfalls and probably isn't worth the risk. However, when I see people bash it excessively, I assume they are not confident enough to put themselves out there (at least having a basic profile). It kind of sucks that it's so mainstream in that way and that I'm not the only person with those thoughts.
