[boing boing]
http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2007/08/07/schoolboards-net-dangers-over-rated-bring-social-networks-to-school/
National School Boards Association (a nonprofit that
represents 95,000 US school-board members) did a
comprehensive study of students' experiences with the
Internet, especially with social networking sites. They
determined that the much-touted risk of online stalkers and
predators was basically nonexistant (0.08 percent of
students surveyed had ever gone to meet a stranger without
parental permission). The best part is their recommendation
to schools: stop fearing the Internet and embrace it as an
incredible tool for instruction.
In light of these findings, they're recommending that
school districts may want to "explore ways in which they
could use social networking for educational purposes"
and reconsider some of their fears. It won't be the
first time educators have feared a new technology, the
study warns. "Many schools initially banned or
restricted Internet use, only to ease up when the
educational value of the Internet became clear. The same
is likely to be the case with social networking.
"Safety policies remain important, as does teaching
students about online safety and responsible online
expression but student may learn these lesson better
while they're actually using social networking tools."
Social networking may be advantageous to students and
there could already be a double standard at work? 37% of
districts say at least 90% of their staff are
participating in online communities of their own
related to education and 59% of districts said that at
least half were participating. "These findings indicate
that educators find value in social networking," the
study notes, "and suggest that many already are
comfortable and knowledgeable enough to use social
networking for educational purposes with their
students."
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