Social Media and Education

Social Media in the Classroom Blog

    Social Media use among young people and especially in education is a controversial subject.  Many people feel that social media tools can be a great way to engage and capture students’ attention.  Others feel that social media tools are just that, ways for people to interact on a social basis (Stewart 2001) and convincing students to use it as a learning tool is not always successful.  One thing is for sure though, social media is not going away (Kessler 2010) and we as future educators need to learn to use it in the most productive way possible. 
    I believe that some social media tools can be used in conjunction with other learning activities but in no way can replace quality teaching.  In the article The Case For Social Media in Schools by Sarah Kessler, she discusses how when seventh grade teacher Elizabeth Delmatoff began using social media tools in her classroom, attendance rates went up and students were doing extra assignments for no credit.  This is one case to show that students do find interest in expressing themselves academically using social media.  The way young people take in information has changed and education may need to use these changes in their favor taking advantage of the positive outcomes.
    There are other benefits to social media in the classroom and many of these can help students with disabilities.  Some students have a hard time expressing themselves verbally or just need more time to be able to think about how they would respond to a question.  A question can be posted on a social media site, such as Facebook and students have a day or so to think about their response as well as take advantage of seeing what their peers think and create collaboration.  This can lead to deeper thinking than a quick raise your hand if you know the answer type discussion allowing all students to take part in the discussion.  Along with the benefits there are some downfalls.
    Some concerns with social media use among teens is that they are becoming socially inept, internet safety, and digital overload.  However some research shows this may not be the case. How Kids are Immune to Information Overload by Samantha Murphy states that because these young have grown up with this technology they can easily filter the information as well as pick and choose what they need and don’t need.  They are efficient at responding to and choosing information,  Their ability to multi task with digital media is much better than adults because it is what they have known their whole lives. Risks Involved in Integrating the Internet Into the K-12 Curriculum by Bernie Poole explains several ways to ensure internet safety especially in education.  The use of filters, school use and conduct contracts as well as educating students will all create safer surfing. In fact, teens are quite mindful of safe internet use. So how can Facebook enhance what educators are already doing?
    I think setting up a Facebook homework help site would be a great way for students to teach and learn from each other.  Homework should be a way for students to practice skills but if they are unsure of what they are doing (and let’s be honest parents are having a harder time helping since the way we are teaching is so different) and they compete it incorrectly what is the benefit to that? A Facebook homework help page can open up discussion and questions for students and educators.  Teachers can post links and pictures to help explain a concept.  They are more likely to ask for help this way than calling a friend or staying after with a teacher.  It’s more “comfortable” to them.
    Another fun way to use Facebook would to use in collaboration with a class novel.  Small groups of students could work together to create a Facebook page for each of the characters.  Utilizing small groups can help studnets with disabilities by pairing them with a peer who can assist as needed.  They would have to post how that character may be feeling or thinking after the required readings.  Once a conflict is reached in the story the students could try to work it out through Facebook conversations and see how close they are to the author as they continue to read the novel. They can search the web to post pictures that go along with novel and comment on them.  Common Core learning Standards could be incorporated in the posting directions.  They could be asked to post a response having their character relate themselves to a character in another novel they have read (RL7.9) as well as many other options connected social media with learning standards.  Would kids be a bit more excited about sharing their knowledge this way as opposed to a classic book report?  Parents, other teachers and other students could view and partake in discussions making it a more meaningful experience.