As technology has advanced over the years, social networking has blown up. Nearly everyone who uses any type of technology has some type of social networking page or site. This has become one of the easiest ways to share information, stay in touch with friends and family, and share pictures and videos.
Just as technology has become more available to all generations including younger elementary school aged children, social networking is also being used at a younger age. Some of the most popular social networking sites include Facebook and Twitter. Even though these require a minimum age limit of 13, children are finding there way into these sites. Other, more age appropriate social media sites like Club Penguin are made for younger age groups and have moderators that ensure appropriate conversation and interactions between members. Blogs and Wikis are other forms of social networking in which people can share thoughts, ideas, and pictures with others.
Some may immediately say that these types of social networking have no place in the classroom. But, if you really stop and think about the idea behind social networking, one might change their mind.
If used correctly, and with the right program, social networking can be a great way for students to collaborate with one another, access important classroom and assignment information, easily complete projects and research, and share ideas about content learned. This is a new way of teaching, learning, and responding for both students and teachers.
Of course there is concern when it comes to social networking. We have to consider safety issues and setting guidelines and boundaries for students. This can all be done throug digital citizenship lessons, Age appropriate, kid friendly programs should be chosen to be used. Rules, and expectations should be set with clear and concise consequences for rules that are broken. Before any type of social networking cna be used, all students should have to go through a series of digital citizenship lessons and respond in some way that shows they understand the value and importance of digital citizenship. Parents/guardians should also be made away of programs being used, expectations, and consequences.
If used correctly, students will be able to expand their learning opportunities. They will not only be learning about new programs, using curriculum content in new ways, and completing projects, assessments, and assignments, but they will also be learning about social media etiquette and the proper way to use social networking.
Stacey-
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that when used the right way social media can be an excellent tool to use in the classroom. Students would have to have to participate in a series of lessons on social networking. These lessons would address, safety, etiquette, consequences of not following the rules, etc. I believe that there should be an informational meeting for the parents as well explaining how the social networking tools are going to be used in the classroom and the steps we are taking to ensure the social networking tools are used appropriately.
I have not heard of Club Penguin before I am going to have to check that out. I would love to be able to use KidBlog in my classroom next year with my 4th grade class. I think it would be really fun to use other social networking tools as well.
Great post!
You have written a thorough analysis of the pros and cons of social media...thank you for your efforts!
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest stumbling block is that digital citizenship piece. As teachers we recognize the need for it, but I don't think parents do yet. I think they hear all the horror stories of online predators, etc., etc., but they don't know how to talk to their children about good digital citizenry. Think of the parent of the child who starts to play online games (like Call of Duty or League of Legends). These kids will start to emulate the community where name calling or "trash talking" is the norm. Parents who don't have that experience don't know when to step in and say "No, Billy, that's now how you should act online." I think it will take a concerted effort to push parents into the right mindset to understand what they don't experience first hand. Just like teaching your children to be kind and courteous offline, they need to teach them to be kind and courteous online along with all the other skills they need to be good digital citizens.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post!!!
Scott Nickles