Week 3 - Blog Posting #5 - Social Media

Social media is a growing trend in today’s culture. How do I know? I am connected to more than 300 people on Facebook. The most recent of “friend” additions is my mom… Interestingly enough, the only thing my mom has been able to do successfully on the Internet since my family started receiving services in 1997, is to check her e-mail. Another proof to my statement is that teaching offers the great perk of being a hall monitor; the many 13 year-old discussions I have the opportunity to overhear involve the words MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.

Social media and networking is relevant in today’s culture. An article written for Edutopia says, “Schools should reflect the world we live in today. And we live in a social world. We need to teach students how to be effective collaborators in that world, how to interact with people around them, how to be engaged, informed twenty-first-century citizens. We need to teach kids the powerful ways networking can change the way they look at education, not just their social lives.” (Smith, 2007). I agree. Students are already using social media to benefit their social lives. Why not find ways to teach students how to use the same social media to benefit them academically and eventually, professionally? An article in Edutastic states, “It is possible to use social media in such a way as to enhance the learning environment, and to provide an education.” (Jarvis, 2009).

Prior to this Master’s program, my Facebook account was used solely for the purpose of my social life. Now, I have used Facebook and Google docs to collaborate with other students, learn about relevant topics, and challenge and develop my own beliefs on popular theory.

I have begun the process of bringing social media into my classroom. I created a Facebook account for my math classes, and befriended many students and parents. Each day I post the day’s assignment and any announcements. I love being able to go on and read the feeds from each of my “friends”. I have been able to connect to many students on a more personal and different level than before. Parents have responded positively to the site as well. I hope to be able to find ways to incorporate blogs and wikis into my classroom content. Right now, we have just begun a brand new curriculum, and I am first taking the time to learn the curriculum so that I can best know how to effectively incorporate the media.

Jarvis, J. (2009, August 11). 13 Enlightening case studies of social media in the classroom. Edutastic. Retrieved September 20, 2009, from http://bestonlineuniversities.com/2009/13-enlightening-case-studies-of-social-media-in-the-classroom/

Smith, F. (2007, April). How to use social-networking technology for learning. Edutopia. Retrieved September 20, 2009, from http://www.edutopia.org/how-use-social-networking-technology