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.

@scerruti @mguhlin Social networks are not meant for K-12. Even under close supervision. They are fabulous for higher ed and PD.

@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 @mguhlin We just have to teach them internet safety and digital citizenship. More importantly, we have to teach parents how to digitally engage with their children. Parents don’t get the kind of PD that educators get. They don’t get any at all, and we need to change that.

@AlliFlowers @scerruti @mguhlin Applying the concept of scaffolding to this issue tells me that they need a safe, supported, non-public space to try, fail, make mistakes, get feedback about those mistakes, and learn-by-doing what works and what doesn't. I had great success introducing juniors and seniors to blogging this way. An authentic intro to copyright issues, digital citizenship, and web tech they wouldn't get otherwise.

Ted, I'm not sure walled gardens work for young adults or teens. There is something to be said for exposing middle and high school students to the open web, making their work subject to viewing, but having strong moderation in place...so you can use unfortunate occurrences as teachable moments, but not show-stoppers. Otherwise, no one would do anything unless they wanted to get into trouble. :-) For K-5 students, I have no objections. But at some point, young people year to connect with a world outside the one carefully cultivated for them. It is artificial and they know it. Instead, we must model how to best behave and act in the public sphere and invite them to do so with us. @tedcurran @AlliFlowers @scerruti