This week we are discussing the use of social media in the classroom. Of course - surprise, surprise - social media also happens to be yet another popular Web 2.0 application. When I taught I used Facebook for the co-curricular club I advised Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). By using the Facebook platform, I was able to post reminders and information to club members about club meetings, fundraisers, competitions and field trips. It beat the old school afternoon announcements or bulletin boards. Students actually got the information! Score. I never delved into the world of social media in my classroom beyond this. I did have issues with parents wanting to "friend" me on Facebook and that was a slippery slope that was rather stressful (I was "friends" with some "parents" before I even started teaching their children but to the outsider it could have appeared differently). I agree "friending" parents blurs the lines. And, well, don't get me started on teachers "friending" students with their personal sites. I really appreciate the suggestion this week of creating a professional Facebook page and including it in one's parent letter at the beginning of the school year. No more parents searching for you on social media sites. And, well, if they do, no pressure to approve their invites with your personal accounts.
Though I may be the minority on this topic, I feel that social media is a Web 2.0 application that can simply be left out of the classroom. First, please understand that I am speaking purely about classroom use of popular, public social media sites (you know, Facebook, Twitter and all that jazz!). Of course social media has a place in the "business" realm of education (i.e. private school use to publicize and promote, school district twitter accounts, etc.). As I read one of this week's articles for class, I continually found myself agreeing with Gail Lecht's arguments for why it shouldn't be used in the classroom. Or, perhaps, used very sparingly. Though teaching students how to be media-literate is very important, I think we can manage to do this without having to incorporate Facebook or Instagram in our classrooms or lessons. Call me old school or a worry-wart, but I simply am not willing to take on that liability as a teacher. All it take is for one poor student choice, one mistake in your lesson delivery/implementation or one student who knows a little bit more than you about that social media site and you will be in a closed door, sweaty meeting at the central office faster than the speed of light! Besides, there are amazing educational social media platforms for teachers to use that are much safer for our student's privacy & digital footprints. I even struggle with using Facebook or Twitter for communication only. Even if I protect the account, it is/was possible for some weirdo to know that my club is/was meeting here or there at 2:30pm. So, um, yah, I am incredibly sheepish of social media in the classroom. If I am going to use it, I'd prefer to use sites designed only for schools/classrooms with regulated safety certifications ---- not common social media sites for Grandma Betty and the average Joe, too.
Which brings me to my favorite part: social networking sites made for teachers! Enjoy, you social media, Web 2.0 addicts:
https://www.classdojo.com/
https://redcritterteacher.com/home
https://www.edmodo.com/
https://www.nearpod.com/
Top Social Networks for Students & Teachers
Peace,
Sara
I enjoyed your opinion on this! I used social media for purely communication purposes in the past, and this weeks reading and discussion gave me more ideas for using it in the classroom, however, I am not sure how much I would want to use it. My students spend a lot of time on social media outside of school. I believe they should have some time away from it during class. I also agree with your perspective on students misusing social media. Students do need to be taught what is right and wrong on social media. I know of a few instances in my school where students were cyberbullied, and I have seen some students act inappropriately on social media. Knowing this makes me nervous to use it in my classroom as I do not want to give students an avenue to make harmful posts, even if students think they are just doing it in good fun.
ReplyDeleteCaitlin, it's a slippery slope and balancing act. There are pros and cons - as you greatly pointed out. I wish I had the golden answer. :)
DeleteThis can be a gray area when talking about this topic. It also depends on the social media you are using. I find there are probably few circumstances where Facebook should be used in the classroom, but What about Instagram for a Photography class? it could be used as a blog, similar to what we are doing here
ReplyDeleteHi Jason! Yes, absolutely. Superb viewpoint. I will say that if it was used though the teacher would have to have very clear guidelines that no photos of students should be posted and that privacy settings are high. But, wouldn't it be better to use a secure platform made for the classroom/teacher to accomplish the same exact thing? Of course, this is all in my opinion. Too much liability. Maybe I taught in an overly sensitive school system and had too many friends in the NEA that scared me of this stuff!
DeleteYou brought up the awkwardness of parents asking to connect with teachers. It's a funny thing. From a parents perspective, you want to know how the teacher conducts him or herself since they spend so much time around your children. In another sense you don't want to cross a line that makes anyone uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteI think Jason made a great point about choosing the appropriate platform to incorporate. Maybe we should do more as educators to openly invite parents to connect via LinkedIn instead of Facebook?
Sue, I absolutely understand your viewpoint of wanting to know the teacher. The majority of parents I wanted to friend...but then there was the crazy parent. Once you start friend-ing you have to friend them all. And, well, there is always at least one crazy parent who becomes obsessed or worse. And, there may be a photo of you and bunch of teachers on a wine tour after a long week at school (I mean, that never happens. ::Sarcasm!::). As a teacher (at least speaking from my experience!) there is always a certain pressure to make sure you are minding your p's and q's in public. For example, since I worked in a high school, some of my students would work at restaurants my husband and I visited. I never felt comfortable having a beer (or two!) in that setting because I didn't want students or their parents to make assumptions (and, believe me, some will!). I can think of a million more examples like this. By having parents have access to my personal Facebook (that I use to connect with my crazy aunts, friends, etc.) I will once again feel I need to guard myself which isn't fair. Though I may post something very innocence, it only takes one parent to start gossiping and twisting things out of context. This is why I appreciate the idea of a "professional" Facebook. I may still post pictures of my family but not of myself wine tasting with other teachers. :)
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