Social Media and the classroom?
Can social media coexist in a classroom for kids? Honestly, my first gut reaction was NO! As I tried to think through this question I just kept picturing kids getting distracted and being off task. I think it's easy to over generalize this and it may be different for different age groups but after getting other people's perspectives on this, my feelings are starting to turn.
First off, I had the opportunity to go over a brief overview created by Nicole Zumpano on a book written by danah boyd called "It's Complicated: the social lives of networked teens." Although I haven't had a chance to read the book, the notes offered quite an interesting perspective of teens that I was semi aware of, but written in a much more concise perspective with research to back it up. The biggest takeaway in a nutshell for me is that their networked space (being online + on their phones/devices) is similar to different networked spaces of other generations, whether it be at the ice cream parlors, parks, movie theaters, and malls. This really help me put things in perspective. It wasn't that they were necessarily addicted to technology but that is the medium that they are growing up in to connect and relate to with others. For me, it was the mall or hanging out at parks. It allowed me to connect and view this generation of kids differently for the first time with something that made more sense with me.
With that being said, if this is where kids feel connected or most comfortable, why not meet them where they are with our approach in educating them. Thanks to all the new technology available, it seems with the right amount of guidelines this could be a medium where the students could thrive in.
What also helped me change my perspective is a blog I just read by heyjuliesmith. Her arguments for using social media in her classrooms really resonated with me. As I just mentioned, with the advancements of technology available through phones/devices, it allows students to participate in new and creative ways. Another point that she brought up is that it is a perfect time and place to model phone use. Realistically speaking, many of us adults, myself included, could probably use a course on appropriate cell phone use and common courtesy of when and when not to use our phones. If we adults need that reminder, what better time to help students learn about that as they first get their phones. We have the opportunity to help shape and mold their thinking about when to use it. If we straight out ban the use of phones, as Julie mentions, it's just a waste of energy on our part. Yes, they make get distracted, but then I guess I'm more willing to let them learn that lesson first hand at this early age that if they get distracted on their phones, there are consequences such as missing out on something important in class. And, perhaps it's a wake up call for teachers that we need to get the students more engaged through active learning so that they won't feel the need to pull out their phones and get distracted in the first place.
I am definitely now more open to the use of social media in the classrooms, but it definitely can not be something that is launched without engaging in student's prior knowledge of what being a good and positive digital citizen looks like.
First off, I had the opportunity to go over a brief overview created by Nicole Zumpano on a book written by danah boyd called "It's Complicated: the social lives of networked teens." Although I haven't had a chance to read the book, the notes offered quite an interesting perspective of teens that I was semi aware of, but written in a much more concise perspective with research to back it up. The biggest takeaway in a nutshell for me is that their networked space (being online + on their phones/devices) is similar to different networked spaces of other generations, whether it be at the ice cream parlors, parks, movie theaters, and malls. This really help me put things in perspective. It wasn't that they were necessarily addicted to technology but that is the medium that they are growing up in to connect and relate to with others. For me, it was the mall or hanging out at parks. It allowed me to connect and view this generation of kids differently for the first time with something that made more sense with me.
With that being said, if this is where kids feel connected or most comfortable, why not meet them where they are with our approach in educating them. Thanks to all the new technology available, it seems with the right amount of guidelines this could be a medium where the students could thrive in.
What also helped me change my perspective is a blog I just read by heyjuliesmith. Her arguments for using social media in her classrooms really resonated with me. As I just mentioned, with the advancements of technology available through phones/devices, it allows students to participate in new and creative ways. Another point that she brought up is that it is a perfect time and place to model phone use. Realistically speaking, many of us adults, myself included, could probably use a course on appropriate cell phone use and common courtesy of when and when not to use our phones. If we adults need that reminder, what better time to help students learn about that as they first get their phones. We have the opportunity to help shape and mold their thinking about when to use it. If we straight out ban the use of phones, as Julie mentions, it's just a waste of energy on our part. Yes, they make get distracted, but then I guess I'm more willing to let them learn that lesson first hand at this early age that if they get distracted on their phones, there are consequences such as missing out on something important in class. And, perhaps it's a wake up call for teachers that we need to get the students more engaged through active learning so that they won't feel the need to pull out their phones and get distracted in the first place.
I am definitely now more open to the use of social media in the classrooms, but it definitely can not be something that is launched without engaging in student's prior knowledge of what being a good and positive digital citizen looks like.
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