Update!

Here is the blog for the new FACS teacher (I don't know if she would want me to put more info, so that's all I'll say):

http://newfacsteacher.blogspot.com/

Internet Safety and Privacy

Teachers need to be careful about the student information they post online.  Here are some general guidelines for teachers to consider:

• Students' records are confidential: Do not post personal information, grades, or any other private information.
• Ask your school district:  School districts usually have rules about whether you can post students' names, classwork, or pictures.
• Students can self-disclose, but you as a teacher should ensure that they are informed of basic internet safety guidelines.  (See http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/missing/i_safety/i_intro.htm for more info and http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/missing/i_safety/videos_presentations.htm for PowerPoint presentations.)
• Ask the students' parents:  Provide permission forms for parents to sign before publishing any student information online.

For more information, http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech120.shtml

Communicating With Your Students

BLOGS

Blogs, like http://www.blogspot.com/, are a great way to share useful information with students and parents:

• Syllabus
• Course Objectives
• Course Information
• Learning Tools
• Links
• Helpful Websites
• Etc.
• Current Work
• Project Information
• Upcoming Tests
• Upcoming Lessons/Projects
• Sewing Projects
• Recipes
• Interior Design Projects
• Etc.  

Want to spice up your blog?  Try some of these sites:

• http://simplychicblogs.blogspot.com/
• http://hotbliggityblog.com/
• http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/

For Additional Information:

• http://edublogs.org/
• http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/blog/blogbasics.cfm
• http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/howtoarticles/blog-basics

FACEBOOK GROUPS

Facebook groups are another way to connect with your students.

• Upload Photos and Videos
• Post Events
• Discussion Boards
• Wall to Post Updates, Etc.
• Groups can be public, private, or secret
• You don't have to be your students' friend for them to be in the group!
  

 For More Info:

• http://www.onlinecollege.org/2009/10/20/100-ways-you-should-be-using-facebook-in-your-classroom/
• http://www.scribd.com/doc/16957158/Teachers-Guide-to-Using-Facebook-Read-Fullscreen
• http://www.facebook.com/

 NING.COM 

Ning.com allows you to create your own social networking site.  It is a hybrid between blogs and facebook: it has many of the features of facebook, but it is customizable and has its own name like a blog.  Here is an example: 

http://www.ning.com/

WIKIS

http://www.wikispaces.com/ provides free Plus wikis to K-12 educators for free.  Features include:

• Page editing
• Image and file upload
• Calendars
• Polls
• Slideshows
• Etc.

For More Info:

• http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/wiki/
• http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/Articles+and+Resources