Social media in the classroom

Social media in the classroom

I believe that the use of social media in the classroom can motivate and intrigue learners. Yes there are risks, like we would be opening up a whole new and dangerous online world to our students once they start writing online and posting things. But I believe that in the classroom environment it can be monitored closely.

It is possible that by using social media in the classroom learners could Tweet, Facebook and Snapchat while you're trying to teach. However as Davis stated – there is a difference between kids talking as they work in groups or talking while hanging out. Thus using social media as a tool for teaching and learning is completely different from mere socializing online.

So I fully support the notion that social media can be used as a resource and doesn't have to be a distraction from learning objectives.

As Provenzano stated social media is about alternative ways to communicate and there are so many great tools that allow us to connect. Twitter has been another great tool for sharing and connecting. I would create a twitter handle for learners to follow and post their thoughts pertaining to a specific subject/ concept and so expose them to the ideas and notions of others. Discussions can be held in class afterwards. Announce the day's homework and share random thoughts and ideas.

A classroom Blog could be created, blogging could be used as a tool to encourage writing/ typing as well as exposing learners to the ideas of others and connecting with others who are writing and sharing their thoughts. Blogging offers the chance to make connections with people from all over the world.

Also, allowing for example English learners to email and have an online “pen pal”, could contribute to improving their proficiency in using the English language in a social context and expose them to a variety of new experiences. Life orientation learners would learn about different cultures and norms by perhaps having an online “pen pal” from a different country.

Social media can be utilized in a variety of ways to promote learning, for example your English literature students can create web comics (also known as online comics) to address specific matters/concepts. Google Calendar could also be used as a tool. The learners’ assignments (and other events) can be put on the calendar and by colour coding events/tasks the learners as well as parents can easily distinguish scheduled activities and tests, daily assignments, and other events.