THE EVOLUTION OF ANONYMITY WHEN IS TWITTER TOO MUCH? THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF SOCIAL MEDIA FIGHTING THE GREAT FIGHT: FLU SEASON
MEDIA IN REVIEW MY NAME IS ALIAS
SPOTLIGHT ON TDSB
HOLD THE PHONE: CONNECT & UNPLUG
CLASSROOM TECH TIPS MEDIA BIAS: TURNING TABLES FEATURED: This month’s cover features social media postings from our FESA council.
Staff Writers
Ana-Maria Jerca Randy Ochoa Nadine Wyczolkowski Mizgin Yumusak
Nick Catania Publisher
Contributors Molly McFarlane
Copy Editor Karishma Desai
EDITORIAL
THE EVOLOTION OF ANONYMITY
What with the new year kicking in , m o s t p eo p l e m a ke res o lut io ns to dec rea s e obnoxious habits. Is it possible for us to disengage with our devices in a world so connected? Everything from my appointments to emails are organized on my phone and tablet. This is not a matter of a world disconnected from physical sociality, but a world more organized. A resolution so ludicrous as such is certainly one I will not be making - my Instagram depends on it! Just like Instagram, I’m an avid user of Twitter - yet my Publisher Facebook practices continually I’ve been using social media for decrease with time. I share the past nine years, but media in moments that mean something general has consumed a large o f s u b s t a n c e , u s u a l l y part of my life. I can still remember accompanied with a photo. A getting excited over a range of handful of other people feel the programs from London’s six need to use Facebook as an o ’ c l o c k n e w s w i t h m y outlet to source their outspoken grandparents to silly reality shows and outlandish opinions. As for such as Flavor of Love and The my mother’s advice: Surreal Life with Vanilla Ice. You “Never discuss politics and could say I’m oddly cultured.
Nick Catania
Growing up, I was always selfmade. I taught myself how to interact with devices, research information, and ultimately use different software and knowledge for my own gain - it’s proved successful.
religion. It will get you nowhere but trouble.”
No matter where I go, you can usually find me attached to the third arm commonly known as my iPad.
Ironic, right? But this isn’t social media - I am the media. Her words are especially true in the case of pundits harbouring us eless st at em ent s a nd thrashing unnecessary vulgarity on comment sections throughout the web. Has the internet garnered an evolving generation of anonymity? I hate the word; own your speech.
Being a millennial, I am consumed with these media devices and different platforms that connect me to those I care most about; everyone else gets blocked - a wonderful feature.
Many websites have, however, made the switch to include social media profiles in their comment sections. While this has certainly added to the accountability factor, many still
FEARING JUDGEMENT
find it easier to state their opinions behind an online void. The same goes for online courses. Why is it that some are better at sounding off behind a screen as opposed to actually having their voice heard?
Has our fear of being judged suffocated our vocal chords to no avail? There is nothing I love more than hearing the tune of my voice, just ask anyone. It should be no shock that the influx of social media users has contributed to a more bodily conscious society. Everything from lips to location serves a potential for ‘likes’ or judgement from other users, despite their “friended” quality. So why should the way we look impact our voices? As someone who once weighed over 220lbs, I found the confidence to speak out more because I was comfortable in my own skin. I knew that both my weight and sexuality would be a scapegoat for people to silence my opinion, serving as yet another reason to speak out for what’s right.
There is a time and place for everything, and for social media, time is a constant; the world never sits still. I know of many people who claim to hold their passionate ground but are quick to displace when confronted in person. However, when provided an online or technological output to voice their rebutta l, the cowardice continues to flow. Once more, in the words of my mother: “You can’t fix stupid.”
elliscatania www.ncatania.com
You and your Fellow Agents are Cordially Summoned to Attend:
FORMAL 2016
CASINO ROYALE Friday March 4th 2016 Dress for sheer magnetism
Hosted by the Faculty of Education Students’ Association
Doors open 5:30-7:00P.M. 19+ Event: Valid ID Required
TOO MUCH? CAN HASHTAGS CREATE POSITIVE RESULTS? Ana-Maria Jerca Staff Writer
Though numerous benefits of incorporating social media into the classroom are evident – keeping up to date with technology, making learning more interactive, providing a good model for what is appropriate to post, etc.
It may be the case that social media is detrimental to the school as a community. In the case of Hillsboro High School in Missouri, social media played a big role in what happened to Lila Perry, a transgender teen that was given permission to change in the girl’s locker room. Lila was met with hundreds of protests from female students at her school last September. Twitter was flooded with posts using the hashtag #LilaPerry, both in support and against Lila using the female changing facilities. The fact of the matter is, it is nobody’s business but the school’s, the students’, and Lila’s herself. The decision to allow a transgender student to use the washroom of the gender that they identify with represents a victory for transgender rights and societal progress in and
POLARIS: Lila Perry speaks with reporters amidst public protestors against her rights.
outside of the school. These school policies should not be influenced by pressure coming from social media. Lila’s right to use the girl’s change room should not be decided based on heat coming from users hiding be hi nd screens, thousands of miles away. It’s an issue that directly affects Lila and the students at her school, and it is those people who should come to an agreement about what to do.
There would be protests on social media no matter what decision the school came to. The only thing these protests seem to do is cloud our judgement and flood our minds with opinions, the majority of which do not belong to the people directly affected by the decision.
Although Twitter can be a great tool to keep students up to date on assignments and may be a useful resource in helping them learn, it is important to remember that it is a public forum where anybody can write whatever they like. People will voice there opinions no matter how far the situation is actually taking place, regardless if it has anything to do with them or not.
We have to teach our students how to keep the medium in perspective and take some of these tweets with a grain of salt. Though the pen is mightier than the sword, the hashtag has not yet earned that power.
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What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a doctor at the age of 5 but then quickly realized, no thanks - and had a passion for teaching!
You are given 24 hours to live. I would literally eat all the sushi in the world.
If you had your own billboard, what would it say? I already have my own billboard, you all just haven't seen it yet!
Is the glass half empty or full? What is in the glass? That's a hard one! I guess it depends what I'm drinking on a Monday or a Friday.
NAME: Matthew Marchese
Position: VP Internal
TEACHABLES: ENG & HIST
HOMETOWN: Toronto
THE DO’S & OF
DON’TS
SOCIAL MEDIA
HOW TO USE IT, ABUSE IT AND DESTROY AN EDUCATIONAL CAREER Nick Catania Publisher
Don’t add the Students
this should sound uncomplicated and simple, but there is an exception. Once a student has turned 18 and you've had a good working relationship with both them and their parents, it is acceptable to confirm them so long as they add you first. Don't go searching, that just looks predatory.
Don’t post or share racy/radical material
Everyone is watching what you do from the things you share to the posts you like. You must adhere to the professional standards of being a teacher both in the real world and digital universe. If you wouldn't say something or look a certain way in public, it's definitely not acceptable to do on Facebook.
Do edit your privacy settings It’s completely okay for teachers to have personal lives outside their classroom, but your private lives should remain just that - private. Set your posts to "Friends Only" and limit old posts that may appear public. The best way to go about doing this is to view your profile as public so you can see what everyone else sees. Should the public be able to see you doing bar rails or body shots when you turned 19? I didn't think so. We all come to regret it in the future and the morning after.
Do analyze your friend list Make sure you know who sees what. If there are some questionable unknowns on there from your early days, delete and forget about them. You're moving on as a professional! That guy you met at a bar over St. Patty's day who now does not need to know what you're up to. Remember those no-namers from high school? Not anymore. Being selective can be a great, admirable thing.
, Do use a professional account Create a twitter handle that has to do with your profession, be it @MrCatania or @CataniaEdu, for example. You can have your own personal twitter account that is private if you intend to keep it that way. Allow students to send public tweets when they see something newsworthy and retweet relevant material that may be useful to current situations or relevant unit topics. This places learning opportunities right in the palm of their hands!
Do create class hashtags
You can create digital conversations that allow everyone to speak out. This also trains them in crafting digital writing that is impactful in 140 characters or less! They may not have an exact thought about a class decision at the time it is given, so these hashtags allow them to contribute once they have finally got the gears turning. Think of Twitter as an extension of the classroom. What’s more - many organizations have a twitter account that will someday need someone with the right skill and pizazz to communicate via corporate outreach.
Do retweet as much as you can
All major news conglomerate sources have a twitter account that posts newsworthy information by the hour, if not the minute. Looking for some insightful class discussion? Head over to twitter and start retweeting for your class to see. This will give them some insight into what is not only to come, but engages their readership on current events and scholarly news, data and information. Don't waste time, get the word out and expand their insight. DISCLAIMER: I use my twitter for both business and personal accounts. Wholeheartedly running one magazine, publicizing another and running around Toronto, I have to stay updated with my readership and public at large. This can be done, but much like Facebook, don't go around posting scandalous material and keep it to the professional maximum.
Do privatise your platform
Nobody needs to know that you were in Paris just like no one needs to see you cuddling your significant other (being your dog). Your friends have the right to know, but your students certainly don't. A teacher's social media account is the quickest profile to go viral, much faster than kittens licking puppies. The best thing about Instagram: it's easier to go unnoticed with an alias. Don't even publish your full name. Let your friends find you through your handle.
Do keep it classy
Like bar rails and body shots, the Eiffel Tower undoubtedly beats a Texas mickey. You also don't need to include ludicrous hashtags such as #sowasted, #bombdotcomweekend, #wheresmyheels (it's strangely happened), or #drizzydrankdrunk. Not only does the picture sum up the situation, you look like a fool. There is such a thing as taking a slender picture of your group prior to the festivities where everyone can pretend they don't know what's going to happen.
Don’t be tagged
Always know what photos have been posted of you and make sure they are appropriate. Once it's out there, it's out there and there is no turning back from the digital footprint. We are in the twenty-first century where saving material and blackmail has never been easier to hold against someone. If you have nemesis out there who are just yearning to bite your back, turn around and beat them at their own game before they finish you.
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Join our discussion with LGBTQ teachers and administrators as they talk about the challenges and pleasures of being queer at work.
ROOM LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED
,
FIGHTING
THE GREAT FIGHT:
FLU SEASON
NATURAL HEALTH REMEDIES TO EASE SCHOOL STRESS. Mizgin Yumusak Staff Writer
Does the sound of sneezing ring a bell? Here in Canada, winter is starting to rear its ugly head inside our schools. This means coughs, headaches, sneezing, runny noses, and worst of all – the dreaded sore throat. For most of us, the New Year means continuing or starting a new placement. Our students come from all walks of life with different immune systems. For us, this means we may be faced with all of those sick symptoms. It’s hard to prevent ourselves from getting sick when we’re constantly exposed to these pesky colds and viruses. Luckily, coming from the natural health trade, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to share with you. First, we need to consider our immune system. One highly effective immune-boosting product is a herbal combination called “Deep Immune” by St. Francis Herb Farm. This product comes in both liquid form and c a ps ul es . I t ’s m a d e o f Astragalus, an all-powerful herb that not only strengthens the body against disease, but also prevents colds and upper respiratory infections. It also contains antibacterial and antiinflammatory properties. Stand alone, it’s a powerful ingredient. T he r e a re a ls o s e v e ra l incorporated powerful herbal ingredients such as Codonopsis. This ingredient has a killer effect on stress and anything else that tries to attack our precious immune system. Codonopsis helps the body combat against stress and adrenal fatigue because of its adaptogenic properties. Adaptogens help our bodies adapt to the environment that it encounters on a daily basis. For many of us, this revolves around constant st res s. Luc kily, adaptogens reduce both mental and physical stress, helping our immune system stay strong during these times.
For your other symptoms, sneezing, congestion, and runny nose, try “Coryzalia.” It was created by a Quebecbased company called Boiron. This medication combines with several homeopathic remedies in low doses(3 CH) to help relieve yo ur s ympt oms . Coryzalia comes in small chewable tablets to take with you on the go. It doesn’t cause drowsiness, so don’t worry about dozing off in the middle of teaching! Although this specific product doesn’t cover the whole spectrum of symptoms like other over-thecounter medications do, Boiron c a r r i e s va rio us products to treat other symptoms, and does not carry the s a m e harmful side effects.
Another great product by Boiron is known as “Oscillococcinum.” This product is specifically targeted for fever-like
symptoms. It is also a homeopathic combination that comes in small pellets or globules that are easily swallowed and administered through the mouth. Don’t worry, they taste good! If you’re not suffering from cold symptoms or the flu, Boiron also makes a product called “Roxalia” which targets sore throat and hoarseness symptoms. If you’re already sick and don’t want to tax your liver with overthe-counter or prescription medication, then you can opt for homeopathic remedies. These types of remedies come from a branch of natural health medication called Homeopathy, created by a German physician in the 18th century. It works on a philosophy of similars, meaning that substances causing symptoms in a healthy person can also be used to cure someone who is sick. As you can see, there are many natural ways to beat the cold season this year. If you want to learn more, don’t hesitate to drop by Hooper’s Pharmacy in Vaughan for more health tips!
MEDIA HEADLINES FROM 2015: NEWS IN EDUCATION Nick Catania Publisher
From teacher strikes to the newly revised Health and Physical Education Curriculum, the province of Ontario has been furiously infiltrated with a series of headlines dealing with
education in our province. Not one person in the education industry was left untouched from the ongoing headlines that circulated the media on a monthly basis. With a whopping budget of $25.2 billion dollars, the Ministry of Education is the second largest ministry in the province, leaving the Ministry of Health in the lead ($50.8 billion). Teachers struck, parents struck, and universities across the province began implementing
“Province Directs TDSB to Change Board Policy”
Uh-oh! Looks like someone is in trouble with the big boss down at Queen’s Park. A review of the TDSB was conducted by Margaret Wilson in 2014 which highlighted structural issues of the board. The end result was to restore public confidence in the TDSB with several recommendations being made. Trustee offices were to be closed and the board was to release a three-year capital plan that would state how the TDSB could manage their capital assets.
new t eac her educat ion programs to both slow down the inflation of BEd graduates and increase the quality of teachers and education as a whole. Follow our four-page timeline as we highlight the major headlines dealing with education in the province of Ontario from the year 2015.
“Ontario’s graduation rates a formula for controversy”
Well this is beyond strange. According to an in The Toronto Star, the province calculated gr that included students who died or left the c boards conduct their statistics differently than which left the end results in ultimate confus spokesman interviewed by the Star state included because “there was a lack o available.” This was also the first time that th released graduation rates, happily reporting are now graduating more than they have ever
“Ontario Releases Updated Health & Physical Education Curriculum, Parent Resources”
It’s about time this happened! The province finally released their revised curriculum on the morning of February 23 rd along with additional resources for parents with questions. Consultations began as early as 2007 to spark the 2010 revision (objected), ending with the curriculum being taught in September of 2015. Progressive change has finally come.
Clicking on the headlines from each month will take you directly to the published article as it was posted.
2015 MEDIA REVIEW
“Ontario budget touts transit spending, takes hard line on “Thousands protest sex education health, education” curriculum at Queen’s Park” Opinions are always voiced when it comes How could we not see this coming? Same-sex relationships, “sexting,” and anal sex?! What is the province doing to our innocent young children? There is no way they have questions about these things! WRONG. on April 14th, The Toronto Star reported more than 3,000 demonstrators taking part in protests outside Queen’s Park against the revised curriculum. The government briskly stated that they were not going to back down in light of these protests against the progressive curriculum. The protest was co-organized by Rev. Charles McVety of Canada Christian College.
nvestigation by raduation rates country. School n the province, sion. A ministry ed they were of information he province has g that students r before.
to announcing the annual budget. According to The Globe and Mail, the province set $130-billion to be spent towards new transit and infrastructure over the next decade. Healthcare and Education became the victims of the budget announcement. The Globe quoted NDP Leader Andrea Horwath as saying “Ontarians didn’t vote for this […] This budget cuts education and closes schools, cuts health care and fires nurses.”
“Back-to-work legislation sparks warnings of teacher unrest” “Ontario elementary teachers further High school teachers from the Durham, Peel and Sudbury boards plan job action Monday” began striking as early as April,
First the budget cuts and now a call-toaction? The next few months are going to get pretty heated for our fellow educators. On Monday May 11, ETFO officially entered a legal strike position. The Toronto Star obtained an ETFO bulletin that announced a Work-to-Rule protocol where teachers wouldn’t take part in EQAO, write report cards, fill in for principals or “conduct any reading, writing or mathematics assessments other than those that the teacher deems necessary to report on student progress.”
leaving students out of school for weeks on end. Although the province enacted Work-to-Rule legislation, The Toronto Star reported that this would only lead to further inflammation and intense struggle in months to come. Talks with both ETFO and OSSTF had completely fallen apart. Whereas teachers were “forced” back into their classrooms, extracurricular activities were not expect to return so soon. Those who rejected to comply with the legislation would be fined $2,000 per day, leaving unions fined with $25,000 per day.
“Liz Sandals says talks with Ontario teachers will resume” Bring on the heat once again. The Minister of Education announced on July 24th that talks with Ontario teachers’ unions will begin again, according to the CBC. The Minister met with the Premiere, unions leaders, and public school board representatives in a private meeting. The government was continually stating no new compensation while the unions continually fought for a limit on class sizes. "This wasn't about negotiating, it was about how we move forward," stated Sandals to the reporters at the press conference. Everyone was committed to returning to table talks in August in hopes of reaching a deal prior to classes start ing on September 8th. A strike could have been possible, but unions were continuing with work-to-rule campaigns. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)
“Ontario Investing
in Aboriginal Postsecondary Education and Training” With the summer months advancing, Indigenous communities received some very good news related to postsecondary education. On June 25th, the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities announced three years funding ($97 million) for Aboriginal postsecondary education. The goal of this funding is to help more First Nation, Métis, and Inuit learners access high quality postsecondary education and training opportunities. The province also released the “Aboriginal Postsecondary Education and Training Policy Framework” to incorporate Aboriginal Institutes into Ontario's postsecondary education system.
“Ontario high school teachers reach tentative deal with province” The strife has ended for public high school teachers in the province. A deal was reached on the morning of August 20th, reported The Globe and Mail. The union was successful in reaching a three-year contract set to expire in August of 2017. The contract includes a small increase in salary that is conducive to the government’s bargaining framework. The President of the OSSTF took the tentative deal to union leaders that Friday where the members voted after Labour Day. Mr. Elliot is quoted as saying, “When we look at the issues, there is no reason it should have taken this long.”
“Elementary teachers with
ETFO agree to new contract” I feel a number of songs from Sister Act eagerly waiting to be released from my soul. The CBC reported 86% of teachers voted in favour of accepting the province’s new deal on Friday November 13th. The province reached a tentative deal with ETFO on November 2nd which is now in place. ETFO President, Sam Hammond stated that the negotiations were, "exceptionally lengthy and difficult," but said teachers won "improvements related to student learning conditions." In the new contract, teachers will have the right to use “professional judgement” when assessing learning needs, as well as school boards avoiding split full-day kindergarten and grade one classrooms (what a strange thing from the start). There will also be a review of full-day kindergarten staffing in addition to grades 4-8 classes being reviewed. Salary increases will be offset from funds elsewhere as in similar deals with the other unions. ETFO was without a contract since August of 2014.
“Catholic teachers hammer out tentative deal with province” Keep rolling them contracts! According to The Toronto Star, a tentative contract was reached at 3a.m. on Aug. 25th. The deal was expected to be similar to the OSSTF’s which would include agreements to maintain class sizes, provide a small salary increase and add a professional development day. The bargaining framework remains the same as the OSSFT in which any raise must be paid for from funds somewhere else in the contract. The Minister did not say where the funds would come from.
“Ontario premier threatens to dock teacher pay if work-torule campaign doesn’t end by November 1” How blunt could this possibly get? The National Post reported Premiere Wynne as stating in a private interview: “It’s not where I want to go. I don’t think we’re going to have to go there. I think we’re going to get agreements.” CUPE President Hahn had a different response: “Arbitrary dates and threats do not help in the bargaining process.”
“Peel board won't exempt
kids from learning about gay families, gender issues”
Justin Trudeau may have used the excuse of “because it’s 2015,” but we have a new one: “it’s 2016, people!” According to The Toronto Star, the Peel Director of Education announced a zero tolerance policy for any parents wishing to remove their children from learning about gay families or diverse gender identities. The Peel Board is the second largest public school board in the province, and they were willing to lose students over this announcement in conjunction with another sex-ed protest. Director Pontes stated clearly that, “We cannot — we will not — by action or inaction endorse discrimination.” Bravo, Peel Board and Tony Pontes, bravo!
“Liz Sandals, Ontario Education Minister: $1M Payout To Teachers' Union 'Not Unusual'” When taxpayers are involved, you can pretty much guarantee there is going to be some flank associated with ‘unusual’ payouts. In a report by The Globe and Mail, the provincial government agreed to payout the OSSTF to compensate for the cost of negotiations under the province’s new bargaining system. The Globe continued to report that these funds were taken from a program based on helping struggling students to graduate. The Minister stated that this was “simply not true,” but rather removed an entitlement prior to the recession that hired additional teachers over the provincial requirement for class size. Fellow TCs, this is quite simply more bad news for us.
“More Ontario parents opting for private tutoring, survey finds”
It seems our education training may pay off elsewhere unrelated to classrooms. The Toronto Star reported that “more than one in three families is paying for private tutoring for their children,” according to the results of a new survey on education issues. In 2002, 25% of families reported purchasing private tutoring in comparison to 35% of families in 2015. The survey conducted by OISE has been ongoing since 1978, where 753 respondents were interviewed during this period. 60% of the public and 70% of families reported they were fairly happy with the public education system with strong support for more funding for the public education system.
MY NAME IS ALIAS A SCREENPLAY IN DEVELOPMENT: A LOOK BEHIND THE DIGITAL LIFE.
life. Everything from my boyfriend my digital life. They comment to local landscapes and and say nice things, but friendships is on there. But it’s all sometimes they’re rude. just mainly me. I don’t want to exist beyond this because I am People only need to know a n int erna t io na l, int ernet me in photos; they don’t sensation. Who wouldn’t want need to know me in real life. I’ll let you in on a little secret. I am this? My life is glamourous. nicolanti. I am a unique creation There’s no harm in that. of my own. I have been nicolanti My photos gain anywhere from for the past five years and I exist 80-150 likes. Who wouldn’t like My life is like the cinema; a on Instagram. I don’t want to be nicolanti? I am cute, confident continuous movie reel of Nick because I am really and super cheeky. My followers experiences and story. Everyone nicolanti. I don’t spell my name prove this. I have thousands of likes a good story. My stories are with a capital because I don’t like followers who love nicolanti and short and brief adding up to one to be like everyone else. I am not want to be nicolanti. I don’t follow moment. nicolanti is patient, these people because their lives humble and kind. “The nicolanti.” everyone else. aren’t mine. I don’t want to know The one and only nicolanti that I live in photographs, lip-synch them but they want to know me. there will ever be - I will make videos and local destinations. I People are obsessed with the sure of that. travel Toronto and broadcast my glamour and glaze that focuses
If you were to write a novel what do you think it would it be about? Probably about an old woman who lives in her house alone after her partner dies.
Name one thing that you couldn't live without. My passport.
If you were a mixed drink, what would be the mixes? Gin, citrus, and soda.
What one rule did you disagree with when growing up? I wasn’t allowed to wear jeans to school.
NAME: Jen Gilbert
POSITION: Graduate Program Director
COURSES: Grad Seminar on Sexuality
RESEARCH: LGBTQ Student Experiences
SPOTLIGHT ON TDSB EDIBLE SITS DOWN WITH TDSB SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM MEMBER. Ana-Maria Jerca Staff Writer
Social media has been a hot topic for teacher candidates this month here at Edible, and in our pedagogy classes. While its use as an educational tool has been heavily discouraged by many course directors, Twitter and Tumblr is being employed safely and effectively by teachers in the field and, in the case of Twitter, even the TDSB! The TDSB's Twitter page posts and shares its
teachers’ successes from the classroom, as well as shares helpful tips for educators and information from which employees can benefit. It seems social media does not have to be an enemy, provided it's used properly. This month, I interviewed a member of the social media team who works in the communications department of the TDSB. Here’s what he had to say:
1. Why do you think it's important for the TDSB to participate in social media? With everything shifting to digital these days, it is important for the TDSB to have a presence on social media, not only to engage the public but also to spread the incredible stories happening around at our 600+ schools in Toronto. Today, an increasing number of the public are using social media to stay informed of the news, so it was a natural transition for the TDSB to connect with the public through Twitter and Facebook. Another way social media is a great fit for the TDSB is that teachers can share the great work their students are doing in classrooms and inspire other educators’ lesson plans.
2. Given that the TDSB tweets and retweets posts in which images of students are involved, what would you say to those who raised questions about privacy and/or images of students on social media? We only post photos of children’s faces when they have a signed permission form (media release) from their parent or guardian. We focus on posting images of students’ work, rather than images of students to showcase the learning and events taking place at our schools.
3. Do you have any advice for teachers thinking about making a social media account for their classrooms for educational purposes? Yes, in fact, we regularly hold social media workshops for teachers and other staff working at the TDSB in best practices for using social media effectively in classrooms. For elementary classes, teachers can use social media as an avenue for sharing successes in their classrooms or field trips with other educators and parents; whereas with older students, teachers can connect with their classes by linking to resources that will help with projects or to further enhance students’ learning.
4. Most of us went to grade school before social media reached such popularity. Do you think it's improving or hindering education? Like all new technologies, there is a potential for good and bad - it depends on how it is used. As mentioned before, social media is a great tool for educators to connect with other educators to share tips on how to improve facilitating learning in classrooms and for showing parents their children’s work. Further, as students are being acquainted with digital media earlier and earlier these days, they need role models such as teachers to show what is appropriate to post online, how to protect their privacy and, finally, students need to understand that their online persona is an extension of who they are in real life - that their digital footprint online can have consequences in the future.
HOLD THE PHONE SCHEDULES, SOCIALS AND STRESS: LIVING IN THE MOMENT Nadine Wyczolkowski Staff Writer
Sometimes, busy schedules and the continual pressure to complete so many tasks means that social media is the only way to stay connected with the people that mean the most to us. However, liking photos simply isn’t enough. The superficiality that is fostered by some types of social media often leads to alienation over connection. In the hopes of fostering meaningful relationships amidst the prevalence of social media in our everyday lives, here are some ideas to consider.
CONNECTING
UNPLUGGING
REMEMBER YOUR AUDIENCE
LOOK AT THE TIME
If you don’t talk to certain people, you don’t need to divulge so much personal information with them. Consider unfriending them.
GO THE DISTANCE
Set time aside to call or have a Skype session with your long-distance friends.
BE BOLD, BUT POISED
Send that message you really want to send… once you’ve thought about all the ramifications. Don’t let it be a regret.
FIND EVENTS
Use the myriad of ideas on social media to find a fun new event and invite a friend to accompany you
BE THANKFUL
Set aside some time every week to spend with someone whom you appreciate and let them know, even if it can’t be in person.
Are you spending more of it with family? Friends? A significant other? Or are you spending more of it on social media?
GIVE CHANGE A TRY
Try going a day, a week, or even a month without some sort of social media and you may feel enlightened, and that your priorities are clearer.
FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS
If you go ‘unplugged’ for a while, it’s amazing how much more time there seems to be to do the things you really want to do.
MAKE TIME FOR THE UNEXPECTED
Spontaneous interactions are sometimes the best and most meaningful, when someone needs you to make yourself available.
MAKE PLANS AND STICK TO THEM
Even if something else comes up, make an effort to hold true to prior engagements.
FOR EVERYTHING INBETWEEN BE PRESENT AND ENJOY THE MOMENT
Snap a photo for your own memories, but don’t document every single aspect of your life for the sake of just doing it. Remember to appreciate the sensory experience of being at a specific point in your life that you will never have again. Soak moments in while they’re here - you may never get them back.
CLASSROOM
TECH TIPS TOP FIVE TIPS TO HELP YOU INCORPORATE TRADITIONAL TEACHING STYLES AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM. Molly McFarlane Contributor
KNOW YOUR LIMITS
Challenge yourself to learn about and integrate technology, media and social media into your classes, but do not overwhelm yourself trying to include everything into each lesson.
KNOW YOUR STUDENTS’ LIMITS
Remember that overstimulation is a thing. Of course it is great to integrate technology, media, and social media in your classroom, but that doesn’t mean totally eliminating more traditional and simplistic teaching methods and tools.
UTILIZE YOUR COLLEAGUES
There’s nothing quite like a good brainstorm session with your teacher friends. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it – teachers tend to like helping people. You’d be surprised what some adults know about technology, media, and social media! Sharing is caring!
CHANGE IT UP
Remember, doing PowerPoints and showing YouTube videos every day can become as tedious for students as lecture-style teaching. Remember to be diverse in your teaching to sustain students’ interest and engagement.
MEDIA LITERACY IS KEY
Integrating media and social media into your teaching is great, but it is important that we teach our students how to think critically about what they are seeing and hearing. Challenge them to investigate the how and the why questions, compare and contrast, and discuss pros/cons and advantages and disadvantages on given topics and situations.
MEDIA BIAS TURNING MEDIA INTO GOOD: AVOID THE BIAS THROUGH POSITIVITY. Randy Ochoa Staff Writer
Since the eve of modern technology, the media has been used to communicate with audiences in all forms. This includes music, advertisements, and videos. It has been a tremendous driver for change, and has enabled communication to surpass even the most remote borders. It is often the younger generation who excel in the use of technology and are therefore more exposed to media. This means it is important to learn how to navigate the available information, and how to take advantage of the media before it takes advantage of us. If it is not properly understood, the media can be used to manipulate its viewers into believing and doing all sorts of things. This is because there are
always vested biases and interests behind the people creating the messages. In some cases, the amount of money put into an advertisement can affect how influential it is to us. However, this constant barrage of media messages doesn’t have to take over our lives.
We are the ones that decide how much influence the media has. We can choose to either give in to the pressure of what is currently trending, or we can critically reflect on these messages and what they are really saying. In order to take advantage of the media, we can use technology to spread kind messages to the world. Anybody can be a Youtuber who posts videos online, and many Youtubers are gaining imm ens e po pula rit y and influence amongst young people. Why not use that popularity to post videos that will make people smile for the
right reasons? Even as nonfamous people who post photos on Instagram or Facebook, we should think about the implications of what we’re posting and make sure the pictures won’t hurt anyone we know. We should ask ourselves if we are posting something we could share with anyone, including family. Social media is all about making decisions about our personas and what messages we want to send out to the world.
Although media has been used extensively for advertising to make money, technology can be used for something good. This powerful tool is easy to acc ess and is virtually everywhere. All it takes is one video to go viral and impact a large sum of people. This is your chance to make a difference in the world, and live up to York’s famous slogan, “This Is My Time.”
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