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Social media is here. It's just another resource and doesn't have to be a distraction from learning objectives. Social media is another tool that you can use to make your classroom more engaging, relevant and culturally diverse.
(Davis, 2015).
Classrooms are places that are no longer limited by their physical barriers, they are places where students can reach beyond those barriers and create conversations with people from other classrooms, cultures and communities. Social media provides our students with opportunities their stories both within and beyond the classroom (Crowley, 2015).
Social Media in Teaching
It would appear that the general consensus is that, with safeguards in place, using social media as another tool for teaching and learning within the class is considered to be beneficial. Many of the articles and videos around to support this seem to be more related to older students.
As a primary teacher, I have always seen that value for intermediate and secondary students certainly. However, I am beginning to see that starting earlier could have even more benefit in the long run.
As a teacher, my social media interactions include Facebook, Twitter, Google+, the VLN and Pond to name a few.
What are some key features of social media that are beneficial for teaching and learning? Why?
One of the benefits of students having their own blog is that they create a larger audience to share their work with. This is not just about sharing with Aunty Pat in the South Island, but rather with other students of similar age across the other side of the world. Creating that sense of connectedness will enable students to realise that the world is accessible, and that their work (or message) is valued. I agree with Kathy Cassidy’s comments in one of this week’s videos Using Social Media in the Classroom, that we are doing our students a disservice if we are insisting on them leaving the technology they are used to at home, at the door of the classroom. This generation of learners (Year Four in my case) have had the internet all their lives and are at ease with technology. Harnessing it to engage and motivate by taking photos, videos and recorded explanations of their learning, and then adding it to their blog to invite/read feedback from others is a huge benefit I feel.
Another opportunity when using social media in the class from an earlier age is the chance to teach the students how to communicate appropriately online and how to interact online safely before they get to intermediate and high school. Hopefully this may help them avoid the pitfalls for young teenagers that spend more and more time online as they grow older.
What social media platform do you feel best supports engagement with your professional development? Why?
One of the best avenues for accessing free professional development is on Twitter. The opinions, readings, articles, documents and suggestions for websites are invaluable. Collaboration at its best. Any question asked is answered by members of a vast community of practice that spans the globe, at any time of the day or night. I will admit I was a slow starter on Twitter, but I am now a definite convert.
Taking part in #edchatNZ evenings on Twitter have been extremely useful as well. Hearing the opinions of my colleagues, and being able to voice my own is amazing. Knowing that others feel the same on important educational topics is priceless. Getting the collegiality that we do via technology is something that was once not even thought of.
All this talk of social media in the class has led me to rethink my idea of my Year Four class being too young for Twitter. This is something that I want to look into more for the future.
Jackie
Reference List
Cassidy, K. Tvoparents. (2013, May 21). Using Social Media in the Classroom.[video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riZStaz8Rno
Crowley, B. Education Week Teacher. Connecting a Classroom: Reflections on Using Social Media with Students. Retrieved from
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2015/09/09/connecting-a-classroom-reflections-on-using-social.html)
Davis, V. Edutopia (2015). A Guide for Social Media In The Classroom. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/guidebook-social-media-in-classroom-vicki-davis
Jackie I take your point about teaching children earlier rather than later the skills to communicate on line. If this communiaction is normalised and supported then I beieve that our students will use it appropriately.
ReplyDeleteAs for twitter I consider myself a lurker. I struggle with how it all works (feeds, hash tags??) and the language used. I agree that it is a great forum for professional learning and networking.
Hi Jackie, I agree expecting students to leave their devices and skills at the classroom door is unrealistic and definitely doesn't reflect what an ecosystem of education should look like. These are tools the students are being exposed to at an early age and if we are wanting the learning to not be restricted to the confines of the 4 walls then we must insist that they be allowed to use whatever tool they prefer whether it be digital or the traditional pencil and paper. In regard to Twitter, although not a current user as far as contributing I so appreciate and value the articles and readings that others share. Often they are the 'spark' that encourages me to step outside my comfort zone and try something new within my class.
ReplyDeleteKiaora Jackie. I was relatively new to Twitter at the end of last year (or I had an account but didn't really 'get it' so to speak). But I now find myself using it a lot, especially for my professional development. A few other teachers have come on board with me at my school and have also started following Twitter feeds and Tweeting. There is a teacher at my school (middle primary) who uses Twitter to connect with others classes as they read Charlottes Web. They Tweet questions or share their knowledge. I haven't used it much with my students (yet) but it is something I want to try out. I quite like how when you Tweet, there is a word/character limit to stick to. This could be a good way of teaching the kids how to make their writing succinct and to the point. I agree with you that if students learn how to interact appropriately on social media from an early age, this will help them in the long run to be respectful when interacting online.
ReplyDeleteI agree that by getting students communicating earlier will support them to develop those communication skills that are so vital. As with Francesca, I to have a twitter account but have not as yet gone far in sharing and connecting with other classes. Definitely on the 'to do' list for some professional development. I do however enjoy reading and get a lot from the articles and sharing that is done by educators. I do so appreciate their willingness to share opinions and learning experiences.
ReplyDelete