Social Media
Overview
Social media is a technology enabled form of communication that allows users to interact with the information being transmitted and with each other. Social media encompasses a wide variety of online content, from social networking sites like Facebook, micro-blogging sites like Twitter, blogs created on platforms such as WordPress, videos on YouTube, and a host of other platforms.
Social media is an engaging way through which to integrate technology with curriculum in the classroom for 21st-century learners.
Social media is a technology enabled form of communication that allows users to interact with the information being transmitted and with each other. Social media encompasses a wide variety of online content, from social networking sites like Facebook, micro-blogging sites like Twitter, blogs created on platforms such as WordPress, videos on YouTube, and a host of other platforms.
Social media is an engaging way through which to integrate technology with curriculum in the classroom for 21st-century learners.
,Teaching Ideas
Idea 1- Twitter- Current Issues/Topic Discussions
Idea 1- Twitter- Current Issues/Topic Discussions
- Twitter is a tool that can be used on mobile learning platforms and is easily accessible. It can be used to create collaborative learning communities through which students can conduct an inquiry and share resources, knowledge and learning about curricular ideas being explored in the classroom. Use Twitter in grade 9 to 12 social science, humanities and business courses to have students follow current issues in the news or topics of curricular focus. They can create a class Twitter account and topic hashtag through which they can discuss the issue, provide analysis, and link to commentary on the issue.
- Twitter allows educators to collaborate and share ideas, learning and teaching strategies, and also facilitate action research projects and professional development networks. Educators working collaboratively on an action research project in school can set up a specific Twitter account for the project wherein they can share ideas, update each other on progress, hold a one-on-one conversation, attach short videos, and connections to resources for the project.
- Educators can create a Facebook group for their classroom and allow students to ask questions and complete weekly blogs or journals. Students can then reply and answer questions that interest them, as well as provide descriptive feedback on different blogs or journals that they found were relevant to them. It is a great way to encourage peer assessment. Watch this video to hear about it in action.
- After setting up a Facebook group for the classroom, educators can easily upload videos that are relevant to the course work for the class. They could encourage students to also upload videos and engage in authentic conversations both in and outside of class. This may be particularly advantageous if implementing a flipped model into the classroom, as students could comment and help each other while watching the videos at home.
- Educators should assign a select number of student scribes on class blogs before, during or after a lesson. Students can post notes, visuals, formulas, activities and comments related to each lesson. Students could also post reflections about their learning as a ‘Ticket out the Door’ at the conclusion of a lesson. Using the technology in this way gives students the chance to process learning and as a result better understand the content.
- Math teachers too can have students serve as scribes on class blogs. Students post notes, visuals, formulas, activities and comments related to each day’s lesson. They also post reflections about their learning at least once before each test. Using the technology in this way gives students the chance to process learning and, as a result, better understand the content. Watch this video about blogs in education.
Guidelines for Use
Tip 1 - Twitter List
Tip 1 - Twitter List
- When using Twitter for classroom activities, in addition to setting up a class Twitter account and unique hashtag, create a specific list and get students to subscribe to that particular list. The educator can also add students to the list, allowing them access to the activity of people on the list without having to locate them in the general feed or timeline.
- It is important to craft a personal profile that accurately reflects what a user wishes to portray about themselves in 140 characters or less. This is key when joining professional learning communities as other users will choose to follow or include someone on lists based on their profile.
- Separate one's personal life from professional and create an professional Facebook account that can be used during classes. Encourage students to do the same and that way they can add each other as friends since they are all in the same class.
- Allowing students to access your professional Facebook page means that educators do not have to add them to the friends list. This will give the students access to all the important information that is permissible to share as well as view created groups. It will also limit the amount of personal information an educator is able to access if students aren't on their friends list (Note: It is advantageous to let students know not to include a lot of personal information on their professional Facebook account).
- Before beginning a blog in the K-12 area, educators should check the blogging guidelines and expectations with the school or school board. Develop clear goals, guidelines, and expectations for the students. For example, a school may or may not allow photos of students on blog pages or they may require written permission from a parent to participate in a blog. Students must be age 13 or older to register for their own WordPress account. Guidelines can be published and updated right on the class blog for easy access by students and parents. Add a password to any page or the entire site to make it private.
- It would be beneficial for the educator to create a class or course blog before students set up their individual student blogs. The teacher site can be used as a model as well as for other pedagogical purposes. A Guide to using WordPress could be sent to students so that they can set up their account before the class begins so that students can have support during class time to learn more about WordPress with help from the teacher.
Benefits and Challenges
Benefit 1- Engagement Appeal
Challenge 2 - Accuracy of Information
Challenge 3 - Equitable Access to Technology
Benefit 1- Engagement Appeal
- Social media is a daily part of the lives of most children and adolescents in North-America for staying connected with friends, family and for following their particular interests. In using social media platforms in the educational sphere, there is immediate interest and engagement created with students and it can be used in a strategic way through which to integrate technology with curriculum.
- When teaching current events, problems, or topics in the classroom, social media can be used as a tool to help research the latest findings and information. Social media lets students conduct research, post findings, and check statements much faster than before.
- Through using social media platforms, students can collaborate with each other in real time, without necessarily being in the same physical space. They can work in teams to research and document information, do group work on projects, and form study groups. Collaboration is a important skill for 21st-century learners to develop and social media platforms facilitate students' development of this skill.
- The privacy and security of personal student information is one of the paramount concerns when using social media in the classroom. Many school boards and districts place restrictions on the type of social media tools that educators can use in the classroom. In some cases, certain tools like Facebook are blocked on school wi-fi networks so neither students nor educators can access them through school networks.
Challenge 2 - Accuracy of Information
- As students use social media to research topics, the accuracy of information obtained is sometimes questionable. Anyone can post anything on social media as there is no peer review process nor editorial oversight of the material posted. Often, the material can be inaccurate, heavily biased or completely untrue. Educators need to establish discernment criteria with students and monitor the type of sources that students are using for research purposes.
Challenge 3 - Equitable Access to Technology
- One of the challenges and barriers to using social media in the classroom is equitable access to technology for all students. Socio-economic factors may lead to some students not having access to devices or data plans that allow them to access the internet and social media sites. Educators need to be mindful of this and ensure that they can find ways through which to ameliorate the lack of access without embarrassing the individual.
Helpful Resources
Social Media for Teachers: Guides, Resources, and Ideas
This article provides a variety of links to social media resources, "how to" guides on different social media platforms, and ideas about deploying social media in the classroom.
Social Media’s Influence on the Education System
This article describes how social media is changing the education system, and how educators are approaching the platform. It includes some useful tips and cautions about using social media in the classroom.
100 Inspiring Ways to Use Social Media In the Classroom
This article provides a variety of different ideas for educators about integrating social media in the classroom. It suggest ideas with different types of social media platforms that are task appropriate.
100 Ways You Should Be Using Facebook in Your Classroom
The link above provides plenty of ideas about incorporating Facebook into classrooms. It gives different suggestions and resources for educators and provides recommended Facebook groups for those who may need further advice.
What is a Blog?
This video is a quick overview about blogging for those new to the form, format, purpose and use of blogs.
7 Fantastic Free Social Media Tools for Teachers
This article, which also contains short videos, presents seven of the the best classroom tools for incorporating social media into lesson plans.
Social Media for Teachers: Guides, Resources, and Ideas
This article provides a variety of links to social media resources, "how to" guides on different social media platforms, and ideas about deploying social media in the classroom.
Social Media’s Influence on the Education System
This article describes how social media is changing the education system, and how educators are approaching the platform. It includes some useful tips and cautions about using social media in the classroom.
100 Inspiring Ways to Use Social Media In the Classroom
This article provides a variety of different ideas for educators about integrating social media in the classroom. It suggest ideas with different types of social media platforms that are task appropriate.
100 Ways You Should Be Using Facebook in Your Classroom
The link above provides plenty of ideas about incorporating Facebook into classrooms. It gives different suggestions and resources for educators and provides recommended Facebook groups for those who may need further advice.
What is a Blog?
This video is a quick overview about blogging for those new to the form, format, purpose and use of blogs.
7 Fantastic Free Social Media Tools for Teachers
This article, which also contains short videos, presents seven of the the best classroom tools for incorporating social media into lesson plans.
Research
Abu-Shanab, E., & Tarawneh, H. A. (2015). The influence of social networks on high school students' performance. International Journal of Web-Based Learning and Teaching Technologies, 10(2), 49+. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA416537817&v=2.1&u=ko_k_d73bcss&it=r&p=PROF&sw=w&asid=104b88530da3c090ca5895622e908ae5
Dubowski, S. (2016). Going social. Professionally Speaking, (June), 28-33. Retrieved from http://professionallyspeaking.oct.ca/june_2016/PS_June_2016small.pdf
Greenhow, C., & Lewin, C. (2016). Social media and education: Reconceptualizing the boundaries of formal and informal learning. Learning, Media And Technology, 41(1), 6-30. Retrieved from http://uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1086773&scope=site
Jarmuz-Smith, S. (2014, October). It's time to make peace with social media. Communique, 43(2), 35. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA392900997&v=2.1&u=ko_k_d73bcss&it=r&p=PROF&sw=w&asid=c2b848659baa6cd777e286067fdacc10
Krutka, D. G., & Carpenter, J. P. (2016). Why social media must have a place in schools. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 52(1), 6-10. Retrieved from http://uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1086448&scope=site
Abu-Shanab, E., & Tarawneh, H. A. (2015). The influence of social networks on high school students' performance. International Journal of Web-Based Learning and Teaching Technologies, 10(2), 49+. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA416537817&v=2.1&u=ko_k_d73bcss&it=r&p=PROF&sw=w&asid=104b88530da3c090ca5895622e908ae5
Dubowski, S. (2016). Going social. Professionally Speaking, (June), 28-33. Retrieved from http://professionallyspeaking.oct.ca/june_2016/PS_June_2016small.pdf
Greenhow, C., & Lewin, C. (2016). Social media and education: Reconceptualizing the boundaries of formal and informal learning. Learning, Media And Technology, 41(1), 6-30. Retrieved from http://uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1086773&scope=site
Jarmuz-Smith, S. (2014, October). It's time to make peace with social media. Communique, 43(2), 35. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA392900997&v=2.1&u=ko_k_d73bcss&it=r&p=PROF&sw=w&asid=c2b848659baa6cd777e286067fdacc10
Krutka, D. G., & Carpenter, J. P. (2016). Why social media must have a place in schools. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 52(1), 6-10. Retrieved from http://uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1086448&scope=site