Social Media
Go Ahead: Succeed with FLVS Contest
By Florida Virtual School on September 16th, 2014
This year, FLVS is excited to host our fall photo contest allowing students to share their success stories. We know our students are fascinating people who use the flexibility provided by FLVS to do great things – and we want to hear all about it! Using Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, we are asking students to show how FLVS has helped them succeed. You can even win a tablet!
Over the past few weeks, we’ve received all kinds of great submissions that showcase how unique Florida Virtual School students really are. We’ve heard from kids who act, students who travel all over the world, and those who just want to get their education in peace. We have met girls who play football, wrestle, or compete as archers. We have students who volunteer for Special Olympics, pursue creative hobbies and career opportunities, and finish high school early. Check them out here! Continue reading
Internet Safety Month: Protect Your Digital Footprint
By Guest Blogger on June 17th, 2014
Today’s teens consume Social Media every day – perhaps every five minutes in many cases! How often, though, do they consider the implications of their online activities?
The Social Media course at Florida Virtual School has been compared to “Driver’s Ed for the Internet” – teaching students about the safe and responsible operation of Social Media. Here are the top five tips from the course:
1) Protect your Digital Footprint – it’s the sum of every interaction involving you, and it lives FOREVER. While it’s obviously important to control what YOU post (photos, status updates, etc.), it’s also important to discover who ELSE is influencing your digital footprint – tagging you in photos, mentioning you in posts, etc. Keep your eyes open. Continue reading
Social Media, Malala, and Changing the World
By Darcey Addo on January 16th, 2014
If you haven’t read her book, you probably saw her in your Facebook feed. You may have even watched her capture the attention of the United Nations as she advocated for peace after being shot in the head. If not, possibly you watched Jon Stewart interview her on the “Daily Show” where she talked about her appreciation for education because of the way the Taliban “blasted schools” and “snatched education” from Pakistani children. When you read her book, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, you read of a girl who fervently loves school. As a teacher, there are few things more heartwarming. Along with her story of compassion and forgiveness comes a tremendous responsibility for educators.
I am captivated as I read her book, both by the story and the storytelling. I hope someday to have the eloquence and tenacity of this teenager. At just 16 years old, Malala was nominated for the Nobel peace prize. Continue reading
Developing Digital Citizens
By Guest Blogger on October 23rd, 2013
Photo credit: Common Sense Media
We beat stupidity celebration cones. #zimmerman #defense #dadkilledit
Over the summer, George Zimmerman’s defense attorney Don West had to apologize to the media for his daughter’s immature and insensitive Instagram post in the middle of a very heated George Zimmerman trial. After receiving national media attention, the photo of the lawyer enjoying ice cream cones with his daughters instantly went viral, and Molly West’s Instagram account had to be shut down the following day.
#whatwasmollythinking
How do we help teach kids that something they do online today could potentially affect the future in ways they can’t even imagine? We need to help them understand the power of their digital footprint. Everything they post, share, or like is a direct reflection of themselves and their values. And it’s potentially out there for the world to see forever. Just ask Molly. Continue reading
#WhereIFLVS Photo Contest
By Florida Virtual School on September 11th, 2013
At the end of August, Florida Virtual School kicked off the 2013 student photo contest on social media. Running through September 22, the photo contest helps to engage students, encourage creativity, and create a buzz around social media as many of us dive into a new school year.
To participate in the contest, students may submit a photo related to the theme “Show us where you FLVS” via Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Students, friends, and family members can vote for their favorites and share photos with their own social networks. Kids can see when, where, and how other students work on their courses. By seeing the cool spaces and fun places where students study, it is plainly apparent that our FLVS students are just as diverse as the locations where they work. Continue reading
Why We Love Social Media
By Guest Blogger on August 19th, 2013
Social media has completely changed the way we communicate with each other. Maybe we’re guilty of accidentally referring to our friends by their Twitter handles in real life; spending all week finding the perfect photo for #ThrowbackThursday; doing something cool, just so that you can Instagram it; or using the word “Instagram” as a verb.
(I can just envision my former English teachers sighing in unison as they mark 10 points off this blog post.) Continue reading
Celebrate National Internet Safety Month
By Guest Blogger on June 3rd, 2013
Get ready to post your party photos on Instagram because The National Cyber Security Alliance is recognizing June as National Internet Safety month.
This is no big deal for teachers and students living in the virtual school world because they celebrate Internet safety every day. However, for the rest of you, I offer up a few helpful tips to keep you safe online (tips courtesy of the new Social Media course offered by Florida Virtual School). Continue reading