Re: Educator requested to remove her profile on Facebook by employer

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Art Wolinsky <awolinsky () 3dwriting com>
Date: October 7, 2008 8:37:38 AM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Re: [IP] Educator requested to remove her profile on Facebook  
by employer


The only thing wrong that teacher did is to choose the wrong district  
in which to teach.  While there is precedent for firing educators  
based on the content of their social networking profiles or online  
actions, there are no grounds for any kind of action for simply having  
a profile, especially in the absence of any policy.  Even if there was  
policy, it would probably not stand a legal challenge.  I know as an  
association officer for many years, I would challenge any such policy  
before it even had a second reading.

Contrast the stone age attitude of this school's administration with  
that of the Philadelphia's Science Leadership Academy where teachers  
are encouraged to use social networking and friend their students.   
Even the National School Boards Association recognizes that social  
networks are important educational tools and encourage schools to use  
them in educational pursuits.

If the administrator acts this way based on a parental complaint, I  
can't wait to see the reaction when one of his students puts up a fake  
profile mocking him.

Art


Art Wolinsky
OEO 3DWriting.com
Technology Director - Online Internet Institute
Educational Technology Director - WiredSafety.org
awolinsky () 3dwriting com
(609) 698-8223 (Home Office)
(609) 618-4433 (Cell)

I am perfectly capable of learning from my mistakes.
I will surely learn a great deal today.




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