According to the
International Society for Technology in Education (2016) or ISTE, Standard
Seven states, “Students use digital tools to broaden their perspectives and
enrich their learning by collaborating with others and working effectively in
teams locally and globally,” (Global Collaborator section). Social media, such
as Facebook and Twitter, is listed as an example of digital tools described in
this standard. So, to ignore the use of social media in the classroom or
library would mean that teachers and librarians are disregarding a standard that
prepares our students for the 21st Century.
I believe student
use of social media has a place in the classroom and library; however, it
should be used with caution and under the direct supervision of an adult. Classroom
teachers and librarians can use social media to teach students about digital
citizenship, or “norms of appropriate, responsible, ethical behavior with
regards to technology use,” (Herff Jones Achievement Series, 2011, p. 8). Knowing
that students already have access to social media at home, Susan Brooks Young
sees the benefits of teaching ethical use in schools by comparing it to
teaching teens to drive. She quotes, “You would never just give that child a
set of keys,” (Herff Jones Acievement Series, 2011, p. 4). Students need to be
explicitly taught digital citizenship if we expect them to use technology
appropriately.
Rather than
using Facebook or Twitter to connect with students and parents, I feel more
comfortable using a secure learning management system (LMS) such as Edmodo or
Canvas that is password-protected. As educators, we have the responsibility of
protecting our students. These learning management systems not only require
approval from the teacher before posts are seen by others, but also do not
permit sharing with others outside the password-protected site. Teachers and
librarians can engage learners by posting assignments, quizzes, polls, and
discussion questions. Students are able to collaborate with peers from the
comforts of their own home, as well as get immediate support from the teacher
on assignments.
Bookopolis and
Biblionasium are two safe places where elementary students, ages seven and up, can
begin their journey with social media in the library. Students can review and
share their favorite books with others. Because these sites require a parent’s
e-mail address, parents can track their child’s activity and posts. Librarians
can use these sites to promote a love of reading, as well as teach students
about how to make responsible, ethical, and safe posts.
While I do
believe that social media should be used in classrooms and libraries, my
endorsement does not go without concerns. Herff Jones Achievement Series (2011)
quotes Cindy Long stating, “The key is finding a way to take advantage of the
learning opportunities social media provides while striking the proper balance
between protecting kids and preserving professional boundaries,” (p. 6).
Educators need to be transparent when it comes to communicating with students,
especially on social media where conversations could be sent privately. In
order to protect themselves, educators should require administration and
parents to follow the social media sites so conversations are visible. Also,
cyber-bullying has become an issue with the use of social media. Students are
using it as a platform to publically embarrass others. Through close
supervision and monitoring by educators on classroom sites, this behavior can
be avoided. Unfortunately, educators cannot control what students post their
personal Facebook or Twitter accounts, but many districts are moving towards
policies that can punish students that bully others on any social media
platform with proper evidence.
While there are
many concerns that come with social media, I believe with explicit
instruction and direct supervision, it can be used effectively and appropriately to
connect students, teachers, librarians, and parents.
References
Herff Jones
Achievement Series. (2011). The
educational promise of social media.
International
Society for Technology in Education (2016). ISTE standards for students. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/standards/for-students-2016
Hi Elida,
ReplyDeleteYou bring up an excellent point about the ISTE standards and how students should be exposed to digit tools. Adapting social media to work in our schools is an appropriate addition in the 21st Century. The school I teach in is extremely active on Twitter but students do not have personal accounts. All of the classrooms and the library has a Twitter account and activities that students participate in throughout the day are shared out. Many times students will help write the tweet and describe what the class is doing. I think that is a good balance of how Twitter can be used in a school setting. In the beginning of the year, we invite our families to follow our classrooms but tell them we will not follow them back. We explain that we only follow other classrooms and it is strictly for educational purposes. It is a communication tool between the classrooms and our community. So far, this application of Twitter has worked well for my building.
I agree with having students use learning management systems as a form of social media. It is a benefit to have the groups password protected and secure. Inviting parents and administrators is an idea I haven’t tried before. I think that is something I would like to try. Transparency really is so important when we talk about children and the use of social media. Thanks for some great ideas!
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ReplyDeleteI think you bring up some great points and alternate tools to use that may be a little safer. When dealing with students, protecting their privacy is so important.I also like the idea of using something like Google Classroom or Edmodo. I have used both and parents respond well. However, last year, when I asked for feedback, many parents asked for the use of Facebook or Twitter because it is something they are already using and would be more willing to interact instead of having "one more thing to check". I can see that, too. I think a multi-resource approach is the best way to try to please everyone!
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up some great points and alternate tools to use that may be a little safer. When dealing with students, protecting their privacy is so important.I also like the idea of using something like Google Classroom or Edmodo. I have used both and parents respond well. However, last year, when I asked for feedback, many parents asked for the use of Facebook or Twitter because it is something they are already using and would be more willing to interact instead of having "one more thing to check". I can see that, too. I think a multi-resource approach is the best way to try to please everyone!
ReplyDelete