Mystery

Anonymity and privacy does not really exist on the Internet these days. Some of us still act like it does, but there are no mysteries on the World Wide Web anymore. And there is no better lesson we can teach students than to be mindful of this online transparency. Of course, teachers and educational professionals need to be aware of this in their own online activities as well.

It was recently reported that a local television station in Kansas City looked up the names of area teachers, mostly in their 20's, on popular social networking sites MySpace and Facebook. What they found were pictures of drunken debauchery and sexual content unbecoming of people who work with children. The teacher's naively thought that no one would discover their secret online personae. Boy, were they mistaken.

I am not immune from making poor choices on what to post on my various blogs. There will be no details shared for those voyeurs out there. Just understand that I made a mistake by posting information that I thought was harmless and undetectable when a simple Google search could have really compromised people I work with and for. Luckily, no major harm was done and I have a chance to learn from my mistakes and make things right.

The point is that educators need to be as careful online as we wish our students to be. I know of other teachers who blog or maintain social networking profiles that should keep these things in mind. The best way to teach young people is to be an example for them to follow.

I know that I'll be more careful in my own blogging. This blog once had a different focus (and URL) that was negative and not very constructive. Sure, I posted some good things on there, but there was a lot of negativity that wasn't helpful in any way.

So, as I make my first post on this new/old blog, I am considering how to make it as useful as possible. My goal is to post on an educational issue I encounter once a week. This could have to do with methodology, pedagogy, edtech, or administration, all areas in which I have great interest.

Whatever I post, I will strive to mindful of my audience and/or potential audience. I understand that as easy as it is for me to set up this blog, it is just as easy for anyone to read it and react. I want those reactions to be positive. I have to be aware that the mystery of the Internet and blogosphere are no more.