Lecture Notes: Teachers and Social Media

Introduction

• Presenter: Justin Bath, Professor at University of Kentucky, MIC Program
• Topic: The impact of social media on teachers' careers

Key Points

Importance of Social Media Awareness

• Example: Teachers being fired due to inappropriate posts on Facebook.
• Google Search: "Teacher Facebook fired" shows multiple cases nationwide.
• Public Nature: Social media is inherently public and permanent.
  • Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Wordpress, YouTube all function this way.

Legal Considerations

• First Amendment: Teachers often misunderstand the protections it offers.
  • Complex legal analysis required for the First Amendment in educational contexts.
  • Protection by First Amendment may be more coincidental than knowledgeable.

Educational Innovation

• 21st Century Teaching: Need for teachers to embrace modern educational tools.
  • Immersive, mobile, collaborative, and social spaces emphasized.

Administrative Expectations

• Role Model Requirement: Teachers must adhere to a high standard.
  • Administrative support is conditional on meeting these expectations.

Guidelines for Teachers

• Responsibility: Be cautious about what is shared online.
  • Do not post anything you wouldn’t tell your mom or boss directly.
• Sharing Knowledge: Encouraged to share ideas and passions for educational benefit.

Higher Standards

• Societal Role: Teachers are entrusted with the future.
  • Expected to be better than the average citizen.
• Classroom Presence: Innovative teachers are needed who can retain their positions.

Conclusion

• Responsibility Reminder: Be mindful of online presence.
• Future Content: More in-depth discussion on First Amendment in the spring session.
• Final Note: Teachers to be innovative yet responsible, balancing sharing with discretion.