So I stumbled across the following article on the Chronicle.com regarding the “generational character” of youthful professors who use Facebook as a platform to extract their subconscious and share random rants about the uber-importance of their existential existence. It stated that Reiko Ohnuma, a South Asian studies professor at Dartmouth (and an individual who quite possibly excels in both erudicity and sarcasm) could have saved herself, and the College, some embarrassment by either
1.) limiting her use expressive comments that were either inflammatory, inappropriate, or easily misinterpreted in her Facebook status messages,
or
2.) understanding the technical intricacies and details of privatizing ones facebook profile and sub-networks.
The latter recommendation is what so ferociously intrigued me. How do we inspire those with some degree of institutional authority (faculty, staff, or otherwise) to learn more about the consequences of establishing an online identity. If incidents such as these begin to become more of a public relations problem, rather than a concern about free speech (and free thought on facebook status messages), then my next would ask “What exactly would a Facebook 101 class look like?”
More specifically, what are the most salient learning objectives that faculty and administrators must attain when managing their place in the social-network nebula?
I’d love to see what folks have to offer!
At the last Seminars on Academic Computing, Jon Udell presented on The Disruptive Nature of Technology. Jon talks about “hosted life bits”, but also talks about the challenges that any of us face in a world where our identities are online (and not necessarily under our control).
This isn’t a specific recommendation for faculty, but it is an interesting way to think about managing our online selves. Some very interesting ideas here - I’ve been looking for a chance to share Jon’s talk, and your post comes pretty close.
Your point is well-taken. It’s not just the privacy settings. We can’t really assume that online postings are particularly private.
A good rule of thumb for professionals might be…would I be embarrassed if the person who evaluates me at work reads this comment? In the case of a professor, isn’t that their students?
So to answer your question, more succinctly, Facebook 101: Student will demonstrate that they understand the importance of maintaining a professional online identity by refraining from posting stupid crap in Facebook.
Good luck with that!!
Kevin - Thanks! Good listen! Wonder if its too late to add some “faculty social-networking best practice” into the Strategic Plan
Heather - Ha! I totally have this theory about super-intellectuals channeling their frustrations through Facebook, since no one really listens or understands them in person.