Do’s and Don’ts of Networking Sites
Social media is everywhere. From Facebook friend invites to LinkedIn
requests, to updates from educational websites and personal messages on
Multiply, the reach of networking sites seems endless.
To the teacher who is just beginning to discover the benefits of the
World Wide Web, it might get overwhelming. On the other hand, these
networking sites are possible sources of resources and contacts from
all over the globe! At the same time, regularly updating one’s profile
in different social networking sites may take up too much time that
ought to be devoted to more important matters.
Here are some recommended things to do and not to do to effectively manage and maximize teacher networking websites.
DO
- In any networking website, be it educational or social,
connect with people you already know, from colleagues to participants
in a conference attended long ago.
- Be active in said
networking community. If you joined an online teacher community, update
your page with the recent news in your school division or with new
teaching methods you picked up online. This helps keep you relevant in
networking sites, and on the minds of the rest of the members in the
network.
- Join forums and groups. Here, you can ask or
answer questions related to your field of expertise, and it’s also a
great way to meet new, credible people from across the globe.
- Adapt
to the latest vital mediums of communication. With new websites being
created every year, it is best to remember that the world constantly
changes and that we should not get stuck in one way of thinking. Trends
mean people, and people can help us.
- Research which website
suits your needs. With the aforementioned multitude of networking
sites, it is best to find out where you want to participate in. Narrow
it down to which has the most potential, is the most easy to use, and
where there are common interests or passion. And after choosing the
site, stick with it.
- Keep updated on the goings-on of
your community. This does not necessarily mean gossip. Connections
(like a co-worker is good friends with the department chair and can
therefore help in an advocacy or request) are good things to find out.
- Engage
your connections with blog posts, updates, and substantial news.
Respond to messages and create conversations to better establish
connections made online.
DON’T
- Be friends with total strangers. Sure, they might be a
remotely possible contact, but one’s online information should be kept
away from the wrong hands. What’s more, it is best to value the quality
of contacts than the quantity. Having a large number of contacts does
not mean they will recommend one to anything, and vice versa.
- Exaggerate
personal information. Steer clear of adding fictional accounts to one’s
accomplishments, or pretending to be someone else because these can
come back in the most unexpected and detrimental way.
- Overextend
one’s networking presence. Limit one’s social and educational network
to three or four so one can get the substance and offerings of each
site.
- Be rude. Online communities function similarly to
real communities. In discussions, one should participate when included.
Do not simply link up others and join groups without contributing
something as well.
Sources:
Ryan, Liz. “Top Ten Linked-In Do's and Don'ts.” Retrieved May 15, 2009 from
http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-Ten-Linked-In-Dos-and-Donts&id=184051
Vesper, Eva. “The Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media Interactions - A Simple Guideline.” Retrieved May 15, 2009 fromhttp://speckyboy.com/2008/09/24/the-dos-and-donts-of-social-media-interactions-a-simple-guideline/
(Published 01 June 2009, Smart Communications, Inc.)
