Social Media Sites and Student Use

Strategies that I as a teacher could employ in the classroom to help teach safe and appropriate use of social media sites is to first have students tell you which types of sites they use in and out of the classroom. By having students tell you their ideas and opinions provides you with a starting base of what they are already involved with and know. I would have students explain to me what they believe each is used for and how they use the social media sites as well. This will provide background knowledge of their awareness of the use of these types of sites. Then I will be able to do a complete overview of each of the sites in case any student is unaware or unsure of how they may be used so as to avoid confusion and misuse from experimenting.

I could then create a list of important rules that students and all users should follow when participating in social networking and media sites. For sites such as Facebook for example, creating a friends list and teaching how to adjust privacy settings. Also creating groups for engagement of students and for use as a communications hub. These closed groups will allow students and parents to keep informed, distribute homework or permission slips and share photos or videos from activities or trips the class has taken. The appropriate use of a social media site such as a group membership and participation on Facebook may be the best way to teach children. 

Most importantly I would make sure to discuss online safety. I would teach students about appropriate online behavior, including keeping passwords private, never talking to strangers online, and treating others respectfully. Everything that is posted or uploaded onto the internet has the potential to be seen or read by anyone and this is important to remember when using these sites. Social media sites have the ability to relay and discover new information by many people and it is important for teachers to use this technology as long as students are exposed to the risks and safety that must go along with their use. A good thing to do as well is to over view your school’s social networking policy on using social media in the classroom. This allows you as well as students to know the limitations and rules outlined by your school. A note can also be sent home to parents to explain exactly how the tool will be used in the classroom. This will give the chance for parents to discuss appropriate use with their children as well.

For more information “Tips for teachers”can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/safety/groups/teachers/

21st Century Classroom Changes

The 21^st Century is a time of great change in not only the classroom but also the developing world. It has become the age of technology with technological advances that have aided and some even believe have changed the way society works.  People around the world have become more connected with each other. There has become a need for understanding this interaction even more and education in this society has taken on a responsibility of influencing how students are developing in a futuristic society. Education has taken on the role to provide information and instill values in our students in not only core subject areas but also about change, interdependence, identity and diversity, rights and responsibilities, peace building, poverty and wealth, sustainability and global justice. Education is key in developing skills of cooperation, shared responsibility, critical thinking, communication, values and positive attitudes. These all are enhanced in this day in age through the use of technology and social media.

The role of the teacher is changing in how the information is presented to the students. It is moving away from solely paper and pencil and word of mouth to databases full of information greater than we could have ever imagined. As teachers we must make sure to create lessons and activities that engage with the students using different technologies and ways of using this information. Oftentimes students may know more about technology that even we ourselves do as they are being born and raised in a time where technology is intertwined into their entire lives. We must build on their knowledge as well to help them learn to their greatest potentials.

The role of the learner is changing by how they relate what they have learned to their lives outside of school. Students are connected to technology around them with the use of social media, the internet and cell phones. Students have become very dependent on technology and if used in the correct way can be extremely beneficial to their learning. They must be aware of the dangers and how much trust they put on it but in all as long as they are conscious and can create their personal views on the subject matter then technology should be embraced. With technology and what it can do, students are becoming more independent and have gained the ability to search for information easier than ever before.

Welcome!

Hello, my name is Lyndsay and this is my first professional learning blog! I am a student in the Integration of Information and Computer Technology in Instruction (Part 1) course and have started this blog as a way to connect to the ever changing technological advances that teaching is becoming a part of. I am excited to learn about how technology can be integrated in to the classroom and create better learning opportunities with students. I hope you enjoy my blog and I look forward to reading my classmate’s blogs as well!