These changes are inevitable - even within the four walls of your classroom. Students enter in the fall with the coolest new lunchboxes and leave by spring to make room for the next influx of students with newer, cooler lunchboxes. Lessons change, curriculum changes, and even the resources we use change. Technology, another constantly changing facet, has taken an important role in education. From presenting lessons, to requiring children to explore and manipulate on their own, to developing a professional learning network technology provides the opportunity to create breadth and depth in modern day classrooms.
In the article Integrating Social Media Into the Classroom Curriculum authors Paige Abe and Nikolas Jordan examine research on effects of incorporating technology in education, particularly at the college level. Despite some hesitation, rigidity, and fear of the unknown, Abe and Jordan found that the vast majority of educators believe technology is a valuable tool for classrooms. Social media integration allows for greater student engagement and interaction. It provides a vessel for critical thinking, reflection and further discussion to take place outside of the classroom. Jordan and Abe share that integrating social media "has potential to trigger significant educational innovations as they enable new forms of interactive and collaborative learning."
Today's students are virtually always plugged in. Whether they're listening to i-pods or texting at the speed of light - the world really is right at their finger tips. As an educator, staying up to date on the latest trends in social media allows you to extend students' affinity for social media to include tools for educating and learning. Wikis, blogs, podcasts, Skype, and other social networking websites can have as much a place in the classroom as a calculator or world map or microscope does and also increase student enthusiasm and participation.
However, Abe and Jordan go on to share some potential drawbacks to social media integration. Some educators may be so eager to meet students where they're at that personal and professional roles are blurred. Friend-ing students on Facebook may serve as a tool for self disclosure and relationship building. Yet, students are likely to feel as if they are being monitored and invaded. Student-educator Facebook relations may also harm teacher credibility. Social media discussions and posts also extinguish ever important nonverbal cues such as facial expression and body language and some verbal cues like tone of voice and volume. Social media leaves great room for misinterpretation. Another barrier to social media integration is the "out there" factor. Once something has been uploaded or posted or shared online it is forever on the World Wide Web. Even if you delete the comment and it no longer appears on the website, it has still been seen and shared with all who may be watching.
Ultimately, Jordan and Abe conclude that social media technology does in fact have a place in the classrooms of today. Their article states, "By blending face-to-face and online modes of communication into one, students are free to participate and engage in the course in whichever manner they choose." The key to successful social media technology integration in the classroom is to "instruct students to use social media critically and intentionally to optimize learning" and to minimize the distraction of off topic social media use.
If technology and social media serve to increase student engagement and participation through providing relevant and efficient tools for learning, I will gladly welcome it into my classroom. There sill exists a lot of gray area and many questions. Yet, what I think is critical going forward is to not shy away from trying new things, but also not feeling obligated to try them all. I don't want technology to become a distraction or hindrance to the learning process. It is meant as a tool to enhance and improve. I can see myself using two or three relevant social media sites to expand student learning inside and outside of the classroom, to facilitate collaboration among students and to grow my base of knowledge and education. I believe technology integration is vital for today's teachers. Technology can become a valuable tool and provide countless opportunities for virtual interactions, information, and innovations.
Here are links for further related reading:
#1 Demonstrate the understanding of how technologies can effectively promote student learning
#2 Evaluate and use a variety of current technologies to enhance content instruction and to advance students' technology literacy
#8 Evaluate, adapt and reflect upon emerging tools and trends by participating in local and global learning communities and by reviewing current research and professional literature
Hilary,
ReplyDeleteYour connections to using Social Media are evident. Are we servicing 21st learners today? How do we make Technology reachable for everyone?