There really is a difference in the way you approach student access to social media:
I really like the way that you have framed this as a case of “modeling” rather than of “gatekeeping.” I don’t see the need for a digital content ‘license to drive’ as much as the need for really great use of digital content within learning experiences.
I also think it is important to think about the idea that great use of any medium (paper, video, etc.) doesn’t happen all at once. The first few hundred tweets I sent were mostly rubbish until I figured out what social media was all about. Can we allow a space and time for kids to be able to experiment and get better, rather than expecting them to be experts instantly?
Lastly, I think your point about making connections is an important one. The difference between social media and traditional media is that it about building a conversation and connecting with those that previously lacked connection and context. We are enabling a “citizenship” that isn’t just about being informed. It is about informing others and sharing in the process of information. The digital contribution is how we get there.
Nocking The Arrow: Does Digital Contribution Trump Digital Citizenship?.
