@Downes @cogdog I would love your thoughts. I have read some stuff about image caching issues that could cause legal trouble but I think a federated network for Mastadon is perfect for higher ed.

Local server control, privacy through data empowerment, disciplines still federating together across campus

I encourage use of Twitter with students but never require it. I have no right telling you to relinquish data to a third party.

@jgmac1106 @cogdog The first thing, in my mind, is that the students should get to choose whether to make something public or not.

That said, Mastodon *appears* to have the options you're looking for (or might, as it continues to develop). Though I don;t know about curation.

But I would depend on just Mastodon. Microcontent is one part of the ecosystem. Photography, long form writing, videos - all these matter as well. Mastodon needs to be integrated with other services.

@Downes @cogdog I give the option of blogging on your own domain or within our Known instance (which gives members, private, and public option).

My real concern is that I worry people may want to be private, do not know how (for example password protecting post on wordpress) and are too reluctant to ask.

Though I like the oppression and opportunities of the word count on Mastodon. Forces concise writing yet leaves room for attribution.