Thank you to everyone who either commented, emailed or stopped by to weigh in on the topic of Facebook. Are we closing it? Yes and no.
We’ve decided to leave Facebook open for those students who are “taking care of business” at school. What does that mean? For those kids who understand the balance of getting work done and doing it well, who take care of their academics first, who have shown that they are responsible enough to manage everything–Facebook will remain open for those students in Grades 9-12.
However, for our kids in Grades 9-12 who aren’t taking care of business–those students who aren’t completing homework and classwork–those on Phase 1 or 2 for failing two or more subjects because they didn’t get their grades up when given the opportunity, Facebook will be blocked. It will also be blocked for those students who abuse the privilege by repeatedly accessing Facebook during class time or for any harassment/bullying that occurs on Facebook during school.
And why not grades 7-8? Developmentally, these are our students who struggle the most with time management and prioritizing. They also have been involved in the most “drama” since we opened Facebook. Frankly, every school minute lost because five girls are ticked off and carrying on in the guidance office or principal’s office because of something someone posted on FB is wasting precious instructional time. There are enough distractions at grades 7 and 8 without Facebook exacerbating it.
We are developing a Digital Citizenship course in the future that helps our students learn more about how to manage everything they can access on line and more. We have some neighbors who have had great success in this area and we’re hoping to talk with them during the development.
Fred,
We are using Active Directory groupings from our Windows 2008 servers and pass those groups off to our Filtering appliance. The filtering appliance has different “rule groups” for each of the differently selected Active Directory groupings that are being passed across the domain.
Kim, perhaps a bit of a technical question, but how do you selectively block Facebook?
Good job! I knew that if there was a viable solution, RCS could find it. The “new way” may need some tweeking to get it just right, but you are well on the way.
I have to agree- a way to reward kids that ‘figure out’ how to manage their time well. Now if someone would just teach ME how to manage my Facebook time at home! Good answer!
I am thrilled to see this as the solution. I too wrestle with this, as it is a great tool, and it is what is happening now, whether we approve of it or not. I think that shutting it off completely would have sent the wrong message, life is about learning how to manage your time be it at work, school or home. Thanks for the thoughtful time spent in coming up with this plan. I love it when instead of making a knee jerk reaction to something we actually are taking time to weigh both sides and come up with a reasonable action plan.
Fantastic solution! I especially like the Digital Citizenship course and I will do anything you need to help!
Dear Mrs. Moritz,
I didn’t think there was a solution, but
you proved me wrong! Good thinking!
Hope the new regulations work!
Your resolve to the facebook issue seems to make very good sense. It should be a “priviledge” to be able to use it during school hours.
Since kids are really into it, it may spark them to get their studies in order also. Good job on coming up with such a good and reasonable solution.