Training Wheels

My Big Campus is a wonderful online community for sharing content and posting assignments. It provides learners MORE access to information, MORE chances to turn in work, and MORE access to help.  In my opinion, the best feature is the chance to practice real-life social media skills. This is a good thing... because we need MORE practice!

Our MBC system allows students to post on discussion boards to help develop the important skill of knowing how to participate in an online community. Social media participation is really important because your digital presence can impact your employment and your social lives. Did you know that a major way to hire people now is to LOOK for them in online communities and to see what contributions they make? Did you know that millions of people find their spouses in online communities? And of course you remember that social media posts are public... and permanent, right? What you post online will be there for your kids to see...

With all of that in mind, let's think about last week's Grade Level Community Discussions about the Good Student App Package.  How did we do with that?  The discussion board sought input on app suggestions. The directions stated that if you liked a post, you could "heart" it.

Did anyone see a post that did not follow those instructions? Did anybody see a post that was off topic or irrelevant to the discussion? Did anybody see argumentative or unkind statements? Did anybody get frustrated with activity feeds that filled up with comments outside of the boundaries for posting? Without calling anyone out (no names!)... we got a bit off track.

Remember these things when you are participating in a digital discussion:

1) Think carefully about whether or not you should contribute to the discussion. You do not need to weigh in on every single comment posted by community members.

2) If you feel compelled to post, stick to the purpose/question. Before you send a yeah! into 100 peers' feeds, remember that 'hearting' a comment gives positive feedback without creating additional posts.

3) Prior to hitting the "submit" button, re-read your post for convention. You may need to edit your grammar errors or the handy "help" from auto-correct.

4) Prior to hitting the "submit" button, re-read your post for content. Would group members view your words as helpful/informative or would members view your words as disrespectful or condescending? Review the message. How will the words impact others in the community?

We'll practice a grade-level discussion again soon. And I know we'll do better. Our former Assistant Principal Jason Roseberry once said, "My Big Campus is like Facebook with training wheels." It's a good thing we've got training wheels. Our ride last week was pretty shaky.

Until we ride again...