{"id":554,"date":"2018-01-11T01:29:48","date_gmt":"2018-01-11T01:29:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cohort21.com\/garthnichols\/?p=554"},"modified":"2018-01-11T02:11:05","modified_gmt":"2018-01-11T02:11:05","slug":"a-conversation-about-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cohort21.com\/garthnichols\/cohort-21\/a-conversation-about-social-media\/","title":{"rendered":"A Conversation about Social Media"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

I had a chance to visit with Eric at Rousseau Lake College in late August.<\/p><\/div>\n

I read @edaigle<\/a>’s post on Google+ about social media, and this started a very generative conversation – one that I hope keeps going! – that I am now taking back to my the hallways and offices on my own school. It centers around Rousseau Lake College’s Social Media policy. Rousseau is a smaller school than mine, with a more pronounced emphasis on boarding culture. I say this only to highlight the tension that I feel between the role of parents and the role of in loco parentis<\/em>.<\/p>\n

What follows is the direct correspondence between Eric and I. Enjoy!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Hi Eric,<\/p>\n

Call me crazy, but I think that our conversation that we’ve had over the last 24hrs would make a great blog post – with a little editing.\u00a0 Do you want to collaborate on a join blog post?\u00a0 I see it as something where we just cut and paste our conversation, and maybe insert some media, some questions and highlight some quotations.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Whattayathink?<\/div>\n
garth.<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

On\u00a0Tue, Jan 9, 2018 at 6:16 AM<\/span><\/span>, Eric Daigle\u00a0<eric.daigle@rosseaulakecollege.com<\/a>><\/span>\u00a0wrote:<\/p>\n

\n

Hey,<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n
\n

Thanks for being my biggest fan!<\/p>\n

Our new headmaster, who you met, Robert Carreau, wanted to send a bold message to the community. We had been reporting to him how difficult it had been to involve our boarding students in weekend activities because they either always choose the easiest options or showed up and were on their phones the whole time. That plus the rampant gaming across the school at all times of the night and day and we felt enough was enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

In order for us to truly stand behind the value proposition of an outdoor education school, we thought we’d make a blanket rule regarding electronics on\u00a0<\/span>Saturday<\/span><\/span>\u00a0afternoons. The students didn’t choose the time, we did. We felt\u00a0<\/span>Saturday<\/span><\/span>\u00a0afternoons would not be as impactful to study and this would get the students outside more (which it has) and help them prioritize their time more (which it has). Employees who are working on the weekends are also supposed to recognize the time out. Day students are encouraged to do so at home. Our dining hall is also a digital free zone.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

One weekend when\u00a0I was on duty, I ended up having to abscond a dozen laptops to lock\u00a0them up. The students moaned and groaned, of course, but then a funny thing happened. One group of boys went for a walk to the store together. Another group of boys started playing cards. Yet another group of boys sat in the common room and talked about memories of Mexico. The final little\u00a0boy went wee wee wee all the way home!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
It’s not so much a “heavy-handed ban” as it is a shared time where students can choose alternative methods of communication. There is no wiggle room when it comes to smoking or doing drugs on campus. No student choice in the matter. As you know, screen addiction is just as serious (may likely be a huge addition to the next DSM). I’m not saying they love it (and teenagers being teenagers, many have found ways to buckle the system), but our parents love it, and we know we are doing the right thing by providing at least one weekly space for active reflection.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Kind regards,<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Eric<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

On\u00a0Tue, Jan 9, 2018 at 7:21 AM<\/span><\/span>, Garth Nichols\u00a0<garthnichols1@gmail.com<\/a>><\/span>\u00a0wrote:<\/p>\n

\n

Amazing!\u00a0 Thanks for the info’ – we are engaged in a similar challenge, but with the big thrust is coming from our DAY school parents who want us to limit the screen time during the day, and block out certain websites (social media). We are trying to find examples and strategies.<\/p>\n

What I am struck by most of all is the blunt measures that ppl are willing to take and enact ON students, as opposed to engaging them in the discussion.\u00a0 I totally agree that these steps are necessary, but I guess I’m hoping it’s something we do with students and not to students.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\n
Would you mind if I used your school as an example of what might be possible here?<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Thanks Eric!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
garth.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

On\u00a0Tue, Jan 9, 2018 at 7:47 AM<\/span><\/span>, Eric Daigle\u00a0<eric.daigle@rosseaulakecollege.com<\/a>><\/span>\u00a0wrote:<\/p>\n

\n

Absolutely,<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
I agree with student involvement in almost all issues related to education. I see this as a “social” issue.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Also, we are not France and I still believe it is highly important to have the option to use technology in the classroom, including phones and laptops. We haven’t banned anything from the classroom itself. If the teacher can’t control the\u00a0use or misuse of smartphones in the classroom, then there is something wrong with their teaching engagement style.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Eric
\nAcademic Lead
\n<\/span>Rosseau Lake College<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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On\u00a0Tue, Jan 9, 2018 at 8:09 AM<\/span><\/span>,Garth Nichols\u00a0<garthnichols1@gmail.com<\/a>><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0wrote:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Totally agree again! I think that an intentional, well communicated approach from a philosophical perspective will improve the intentionality with which we use Tech across the school.\u00a0 For example, if we ban the use of social media to students in the school WHILE AT THE SAME TIME our school is using these same platforms to try and engage students and the broader community, it seems we are working a cross purposes. The only thing I would add to your latest comment is that parents are so integral in all of this.\u00a0 I guess that is covered for you having a significant boarding population.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Check out this article:<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cShould We Limit \u2018Screen Time\u2019 in School?\u201d by Daniel Scoggin and Tom Vander Ark in\u00a0Education Next<\/i>, Winter 2018 (Vol. 18, 31, p. 54-63),\u00a0http:\/\/bit.ly\/2gz4c9d<\/a><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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On Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 11:28 AM, Eric Daigle\u00a0<eric.daigle@rosseaulakecollege.com<\/a>><\/span>\u00a0wrote:<\/p>\n

\n

Thanks for sharing. Great article.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
These two views on technology will never abate. As in all things, a balance is often what is required. I continue to promote a “hybrid approach” with any new pedagogical tool. Use what works, disregard the rest. Have a healthy and purposeful mix of high-tech and low-tech in your classroom, back and forth between teacher instruction and student autonomy. Have guidelines and rules regarding technology usage but make exceptions when learning opportunities are more beneficial.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Here’s another hardline article:<\/div>\n
http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2017\/12\/22\/opinions\/smartphones-middle-school-opinion-ruston\/index.html?utm_source=Streak+Inquiries&utm_campaign=7d4d0a489c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_01_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6df95fe5f7-7d4d0a489c-160111001&mc_cid=7d4d0a489c&mc_eid=c55138901b<\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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Most importantly, and to address your original query, have this dialogue with your students and parents. Co-construct fair and reasonable spaces and places for technology free experiences, comfortable in the knowledge that there are things to be gained and lost through any advancement and that quick and new doesn’t always mean better.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n
Good luck with your Havergal stakeholders!<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Eric<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

On Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 1:15 PM, Garth Nichols\u00a0<gnichols@havergal.on.ca<\/a>><\/span>\u00a0wrote:<\/p>\n

\n

Hi Eric,<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
Call me crazy, but I think that our conversation that we’ve had over the last 24hrs would make a great blog post – with a little editing.\u00a0 Do you want to collaborate on a join blog post?\u00a0 I see it as something where we just cut and paste our conversation, and maybe insert some media, some questions and highlight some quotations.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Whattayathink?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
garth.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
On Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 2:44 PM, Eric Daigle\u00a0<eric.daigle@rosseaulakecollege.com<\/a>><\/span>\u00a0wrote:<\/div>\n
\n

You are crazy!<\/p>\n

Sure, why not.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Crazy!<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Eric<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Academic Lead
\n<\/span>Rosseau Lake College<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I read @edaigle’s post on Google+ about social media, and this started a very generative conversation – one that I hope keeps going! – that I am now taking back to my the hallways and offices on my own school. It centers around Rousseau Lake College’s Social Media policy. Rousseau is a smaller school than…
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