Social Media in the Classroom
One of the most commonly talked about controversies of today's children is the social media craze. Though there are pros and cons to the use of social media, there tends to be a negative stereotype. In this blog I will be dissecting the benefits and the risks that social media can have in the classroom setting.
The Stereotypes
There are many stereotypes the have evolved when it comes to social media, especially with children and teens in the educational setting. Many people believe that if social media is accepted in the classroom, then students will be distracted and not pay attention to the teacher. Social media in general has also developed the stereotype that it is dangerous for young people to be using and in a sense it can be. Students have also gotten the reputation that the more time they spend "staring at a screen" the less they are learning and experiencing the real world. Just like most stereotypes these are conditionally true. Yes is students are given free range and unlimited access to their devices in the classroom, then there probably will be students that will take advantage of that and misuse that privilege. However, that doesn't mean social media can not be used, it just has to be used smarter. Social media can also be dangerous, but again if used appropriately the risk is minimized. Lastly, just because a child is "staring at a screen" it doesn't mean they are being unsocial and not learning, they are most likely doing the opposite.
What Social Media in the Classroom Looks Like
Like it or not, social media is one of the largest growing trends for young people and rather than fighting it, I feel that teachers can use this to their advantage. Social media outlets such as twitter and instagram are relatable to students and if we as educators can find a way to make learning relatable, then shouldn't we do it? Social media can be used to teach students to summarize and express what they are learning whether that be through images or brief "posts". This also gives students the opportunity to share their work and learn to be proud of what they are doing in their classroom. Students also then have the opportunity to meet and communicate with people from around the world, making their learning experience international. I feel that teachers need to take more advantage of this idea. Up until very recently, there were very limited ways in which students could communicate with other students around the world. However, this can now be done with the click of a button, giving students the opportunity to be exposed to cultures and ideas that previous generations never were.
While using social media in the classroom, teachers are able to help students learn "netiquette" and other practices to keep them safe online. The internet can be a dangerous place for young people, but that doesn't mean we ban it from our classrooms. Students are going to use social media regardless, but by teaching them safe strategies then they are more likely to get into dangerous situations or make life altering mistakes.
Sources
Barnes, K., Marateo, R. C., & Ferris, S. P. (2007). Teaching and learning with the net generation. Innovate: Journal of Online Education, 3(4), 1.
Hanus, M. D., & Fox, J. (2015). Assessing the effects of gamification in the classroom: A longitudinal study on intrinsic motivation, social comparison, satisfaction, effort, and academic performance. Computers & Education, 80, 152-161.
Hobbs, R., & Jensen, A. (2009). The past, present, and future of media literacy education. Journal of media literacy education, 1(1), 1.
Moody, M. (2010). Teaching Twitter and beyond: Tips for incorporating social media in traditional courses. Journal of Magazine & New Media Research, 11(2), 1-9.
https://campustechnology.com/articles/2012/01/19/pros-and-cons-of-social-media-in-the-classroom.aspx
