Social-Media-in-the-Learning-Setting.pdf.
(n.d.). Retrieved October 13, 2016, from https://itconnect.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Social-Media-in-the-Learning-Setting.pdf
• There has been more use of social media in the classroom.
• Student desire the instantaneous communication social media facilitates.
• There is evidence to show that social media is a preferred platform of discussion.
• There is a small adaption gap for student to incorporate social median into their education.
• Student prefer holding office hours over social media.
Some concerns that arise from the survey where:
• Privacy censers between student personal online activity and their professional one’s.
• That social media maybe a distraction for students.
• Communicating proper policies when it comes to social media in the classroom
• Faculty’s inexperience with the potential uses and benefits of social media in their classrooms.
After reading this article, from my perspective, the use of social media in the classroom seems to be a very beneficial thing. It is a learning platform that students have great knowledge and confidence in using. If utilized well, it should greatly enhance the educational experience of the students but should also increases the teacher’s potential teaching time. As is with all new technology and teaching technics, it needs time to develop not only as a teaching tool for the classroom but also as a skill for the educators. It is unrealistic to believe that any technology no matter how beneficial will gain instantaneous success in the classroom. With that said, I feel this can only strengthen the argument for its potential use in education.
Q1 How wide spread is the use
of social media?
According to Best
Masters In Education back in July of 2013, 96% of students with internet access
reported using social media at some point and about 60% reported using it for
educational purposes.
Q2 What are some ways that
social media is already being used in the classroom?
In general the most
basic uses of social media for education is Blogging or creating social groups
like the ones found on Facebook. Blogging helps by making students feel like
their work is reaching a larger audience and not just the teacher. While groups
on Facebook allow students to collaborate and help one another even outside of
the classroom.
While I agree with your perspective on technology in the classroom, allow me to play devil's advocate for a minute. Where do we draw the line between not enough technology and too much? I student taught at a paperless school where every student was provided an iPad and there was seldom a sheet of paper to be found on campus. One day, the server decided to take a vacation. Boom. Students would have no access to textbooks, journals, homework assignments, etc., all day. Within an hour of class starting the principle was forced to cancel school because there was nothing for students or teachers to do without access to materials. That experience altered my perspective a little, and makes me wonder how much is too much?
ReplyDeleteTechnology in the classroom sounds like a great idea, however, should we rely solely on it? Definitely not. There are many great teachers and teaching strategies in the classrooms and this should not be forgotten. It seems it is inevitable that technology will enter the classroom, but there should be a balance of old and new. Nobody wants to be in the situation Edward described!
ReplyDeleteI agree that social media can be a heavy two sided sword. On one hand, you have very great opportunity, but on the other it is a PR issue just waiting to happen if not handled correctly. I would say that the advantages can be greater than the cons, but I also do believe that teenagers do not think things through at times and may put that system in jeopardy.
ReplyDeleteI believe the concerns that you've indicated are valid. That said, I believe that as social media becomes increasingly pervasive in our lives, its use in the classroom will become a common tool for learning...particularly once educators become more familiar with its potential.
ReplyDelete