Sunday, February 26, 2012
Social Media in the Classroom
I think incorporating social media sites to the classroom is a great tool. I have to admit, I am a big fan of social media, weather its Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or apps; like instagram, and Google plus. Using technology is such a benefit in the classroom, it keeps things fresh and up to date. Its something that really helps these kids get in tocuh with the real world, and its problems. I love how people take these social medias sites to a whole other level. " Like if Historical Events had a Facebook Status", I've also seen "Like If Presidents had a Facebook Status", and other creative sites that relate to school topics. I would use this in the classroom to use as a source. Sometimes its a pain to go through the search engine and type in a topic and for them to show multiple sources and not knowing which one is a pain. This is 10 times easier buy using Facebook and showing the time lines of what happened during a historical event. There is a fine line between using social media sites because it could be distracting and sometimes the occasional "Can I add you on Facebook?" happens. Right now that is the situation my sister is going through. The main teacher that she is a assistant to used Facebook as an assignment for her elementary school students, and now her students are trying to add her on Facebook? Really?! When should a fifth grader have a Facebook!
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Hi Nicole! I think you have addressed two important points in this post. One point you made is that implementing social media in the classroom allows teachers to keep lessons exciting and up to date for students. The second important point you mentioned is that social media must be used carefully, or else it may become a distraction or lead to other unwanted outcomes. I think both of these topics should always be addressed together. It is important that teachers are including meaningful uses of technology in the classroom, not just general, "for fun" uses.
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole, I agree that technology in the classroom keeps things fresh and up to date. I also believe that as teachers if we are preparing our students for the real would, then we need to expose them to the tools they will be using in the real world. I also agree that social media sites like Facebook can be distracting and there is a fine line. I don't think that it is appropriate that fifth graders should be Facebook friends with their teacher, but I do think that we as teachers should be prepared for our students to request us as friends. Good work you got me thinking!
ReplyDeleteHi Nikki!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you that social networking in the classroom is something that really helps students get in touch with the real world and the problems going on. Whenever there is a natural disaster, or a major event going on in the world, as sad as it may sound, I first hear about most of it from social networking. I definitely do not think that social networking is for every grade level. I should probably start being incorporated into the classroom at about 8th grade, so that students will be prepared for it by the time they enter into high school.