Response to Blog 3-Social Networking
I think
social networking sites do have a place in the school setting. Technology plays
an active role in a child’s life. Children are comfortable with technology and
most children use some form of it every day. Schools are realizing that
technology is the driving force of education. It’s a great way to help students
become engaged and active in the classroom. According to the Huffington Post,
social networking sites help to increase student engagement and knowledge of
technology, contribute to collaboration among peers and increase communication
skills. Teachers can use social networking sites to get students involved in
assignments that now seem meaningful and relevant to students.
As for
my school district, it doesn’t allow for use of social networking sites. We
have a firewall that blocks the use of them. We are starting to see the need
for technology and are incorporating iPads and eBooks into our daily learning
but students aren’t allowed to bring technology to use in the classroom yet.
I think
social networking can be used for anything that is relevant to what is being
taught in the classroom. Librarians can use it for book reviews. Teachers can
use it for group discussions, research topics, to solve math problems, and the
list could go on. It’s a great way to evoke collaboration among students and
teachers and to build friendships and increase self-expression. I could definitely
see reading motivation increase.
The
only problem that I see with any form of technology is allowing adults’ access
to students. Schools would have to ensure that policies are in place for
guidelines on how social networking sites are to be used while at school. Students would need to be educated on do's
and don’ts, monitored, and know that consequences will happen if the policy is
violated in any way. Technology can be scary for people like me that are
unfamiliar with all the new programs and gadgets. I do feel as we slowly start
educating and letting our school’s faculty explore new web programs and
different forms of technology, they will see how beneficial and educating they
can be for students, parents, and teachers.
Reference
Huffington Post (2015, Feb. 8). Social Networking in
Schools: Educators Debate The Merits Of Technology In Classrooms. Retrieved from
www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/27/social- networking-schools_n_840911.html
I agree with you when you state your reluctance to using social media and social networking in school media centers. My school system also has blockers on all social networking sites. Our students are using these resources daily and social networking is here to stay. Education of do's and don'ts will take alot of time in my classroom. I will have to start small. Thank you for your blog post.
ReplyDeleteSocial networking has become more and more popular in the past few years. New sites are popping up it seems daily trying to get users to utilize their product. I don’t think there is too much wrong with socializing on the internet until it becomes a tool that’s used for mischief. For the students it could be used in a positive way, but when they post things like bomb threats and bullying, then I become really concerned. As with anything there are some positives and negatives. Of course there are those who are going to abuse it or at least find a way to get around doing what’s right. Social networking can help students share educational information, work on projects together and even get to know each other better.
ReplyDeleteSocial networking is a huge force in a student's life. Like anything else, it is important to have policies in place along with classroom management. It can easily get out of hand and distract from the lesson. There has to be a fine line between using technology and social media to enhance learning verses using technology just to use technology. There is a difference. Social media can certainly serve a positive instructional purpose. It is simply about connecting and enhancing the learning. Social media serves as a perfect way to teach digital literacy as well as information literacy. This is a role the media specialist can fill easily. Many teachers know their curriculum and their standards, and media specialists can focus the information literacy as well as critical thinking skills through social media.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see where social networking can play an important part in education. You have to meet the students in their world sometimes in order to get through to them. My school district does not allow access to social networking sites for students. Teachers can access YouTube however. I do agree that we will have to really monitor the students and make sure they are using the social media sites for education. As a mom I would worry a little, but as long as they are taught the dangers of social networking and the proper way to use it maybe that will cut down on the uneasiness. It could also be helpful to have students and parents sign an agreement stating that they understand the guidelines for using the social media sites. Speaking of parents, as LMS we could hosts parent nights to teach them how to safely use social media sites and how to keep their children safe.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to your circumstance with social media being blocked at your school by your district. I think with our district as well, the issue of security and being able to adequately monitor the students has been our biggest obstacle. We recently had an incident where a student posted a bomb threat to a high school using Instagram and a fake account. Instagram was instantly blocked with a firewall. As you said, the students have got to be educated and made aware of the policies, procedures, and consequences when using these tools. Therefore these school districts such as mine really need to get these policies in place and in action.
ReplyDeleteWith students being exposed to so much social media and different types of technologies we have got to get on board or be left behind. I agree there are an unlimited amount of uses for these tools and we as media specialists need to be at the forefront of getting these tools implemented in today’s classrooms. Great job on your blog!
Courtney,
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to read the following article on social networking:
www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/27/social-networking-schools_n_840911.html
Being an ex-technology girl (worked in a school district technology department for 12 years), I think it is important not to dive directly in without testing the waters. There are a number of things to consider. First - safety. If you open many social networking sites, there is nothing to prevent students from having interactions with predators in the shadows. If you allow students to bring their own devices, then there is nothing to prevent them from using their own data plans, bypassing the school network, and accessing any site they want. These are major considerations one should ponder prior to allowing social networking.
There is, however, much good than can come from students being aware of technology and how best to use it. This is the slippery slope we, as educators and protectors, must walk. I think there is still much to learn about what is possible with social networking, but there is some danger that will inherently exist.
Meghen
My school system has embraced technology and even promotes BYLD, Bring Your Learning Device. We have procedures in place to help us manage the student devices at school. With that said, we still have some issues with students getting on line. Our district has a dedicated internet connection for students and visitors to use, but it does not always work with certain devices. I seem to field most of the questions in the building when students or guests have problems. It can be frustrating at times. With that said, our students are extremely tech savvy and love to use the social networking sites. Our filters do block some of them for students. Teachers can usually put in a user name and password to get limited access for sites such as youtube or pinterest. Truthfully, I think our education system needs a big overhaul to engage our current learners. It seems to be more important to teach them how to find information than impart the actual information to them. So if using these social networking sites engages them, we better jump on board or get left behind!
ReplyDelete