I am a strong proponent for social media in education, both for teachers and students. I strongly agree with Matt Renwick: “teaching students how to appropriately use social media becomes not just a good idea; it becomes a school’s responsibility.” As educators in the 21st century, with students and families who are constantly connected on social media through their digital devices, we need to take our heads out of the sand and stop thinking we can stay in the past. We need to bring social media into the classrooms and teach students how to use it, and more importantly, how to become safe, digital citizens. “The key is having a teacher as a guide, helping students create a safe and positive digital footprint, while enabling an authentic, purposeful and immersive learning experience for the world to see.” Matt Renwick, (6 March, 2013).
As students are introduced to social media in the classroom through Twitter, Blogging, Skype and other age appropriate tools, it “can provide two things that are critical for student engagement in a literate environment: audience and purpose.” Matt Renwick, (6 March, 2013). These two facets, audience and purpose, inspire students to be creative and take pride in their work. Understanding that they have a bigger audience than just the teacher can motivate them to put forth more effort into their learning. Receiving feedback from people outside of the classroom can have a great impact on a child’s learning and confidence. Being able to take part in collaborative learning through social media is also a benefit as students can engage in on-line projects with other children in their classroom or across the world.
The obvious potential challenges that teachers face are cybersafety issues, age appropriate websites, parent buy-in and understanding, student distraction on-line and a lack of knowledge and understanding on the part of the teacher. Taking the walls off the classroom exposes the students and teachers to many influences that may not have been as easily accessible in the days before the internet. However, if done correctly, the benefits will far outweigh the risks.
Social media for teachers can be extremely beneficial. Sites such as Google+, Blogger, Facebook groups, Pinterest, The Pond, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and others, all provide endless amounts of support, encouragement, ideas, professional development and collaborative opportunities. Being able to view on-line professional development sessions without attending in person, is excellent. Being able to share ideas on a Facebook group, or share journal articles on Twitter, find art projects on Pinterest, are all valuable ways that social media can benefit a teacher.
Social media is also an excellent way for parents to stay connected to their child’s learning. This provides parents and children a way to discuss the day’s learning and activities at school. Through Facebook pictures of school events, to classroom or individual student blogs, parents can get a peek into the daily lives of their children at school.
Matt Renwick, 6 March, 2013, http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2013/03/how-should-social-media-be-taught-schools
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