A question for #Mastodon instance admins from a skeptical educator who refuses to leave Twitter because she doesn’t understand why. So I thought I would ask on her behalf, then share the responses with her: “I really
want your opinion on this
platform. Since someone has
to pay for the "server", I am
wondering what the host gets
back.”
What do you say, admins? #Edtech #education #Altruism #TwitterMigration
@mguhlin as a computer science teacher I have benefited from online professional communities but wished that they were not on platforms I rail against as being detrimental to our students and society.
I am willing to donate my money and, more importantly, my time to create a new space free of that stain. I hope that others well join me and share in the administrative and financial burden.
My investment is driven from the same place my teaching originates, hope for a better future for all.
@AlliFlowers @mguhlin I started thinking about this after dinner human trafficking training which said that children fall victim because they're no safe spaces on the Internet. Kids are on the Internet, that won't change, can we make it safer?
How can we motivate children to stop using public social networks if there isn't a better alternative?
@scerruti @AlliFlowers Stephen, I'm not sure we can make it safer except by law, and there are many spaces beyond the control of adults in one locale. To motivate children, we first have to teach them how to interact well, build trust, and learn. That is a job, as Dr. Flowers points out, for parents or teachers in loco parentis. A few thoughts that remain true from my perspective: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/in-loco-parentis_b_771926
@AlliFlowers @scerruti Yes, they do. Society is split (in America) down the middle...I love George Lakoff's "Don't Think of An Elephant" because he captures the perspectives in play. Add to that mix a more radicalized Christian Nationalist perspective, and being a teacher today means doing nothing, saying little, that would oppose parents eager to take umbrage at the work of teaching.
I'm reminded of my high school religion teacher, who dogmatically refused to ever share her perspective, instead asking questions to see what students might come to think on their own.
Book link: https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/the-all-new-dont-think-of-an-elephant/
@mguhlin @scerruti K-12 teachers have it hard.