Social Media in the Classroom
To tweet, or not to tweet: that is the question.
Classroom Applications
Twitter can be used as a pedagogical tool to connect curriculum instruction with real-world applications. Students are more likely to be engaged during Twitter based activities since material is relevant and since the platform of communication is familiar. Educators must recognize and expect appropriate behavior in both classroom and virtual discussions.
Podcasts, Blogs and Wikis
These are excellent creative platforms for students to organize, collaborate, and share information. They can work within any content area for a wide array of material. Through the creative collaboration process, students connect with one another as they design and explore material.
Facebook offers educators the ability to connect to students at an individual level which fosters a positive classroom culture. However, it blurs the line of personal and professional. Since the millennial generation self-discloses constantly, teachers try to reach students through Facbook. Dependent upon the level of "self-disclosure" a teacher gives, it may discredit and eliminate his or her personal agency.
Additional Resources
- Scoop.It: Great resource to find media to relate to content. It is sort of an academic Pintrest (Free)
- Edublog: Closed site where students can publish work and collaborate with peers. (Free)
- Paper.li: Posts relevent content to website and. A social media filter. ($9 per month)