Social Media in the Classroom

 

It is so easy to look at the idea of using social media in the classroom and immediately rule it out because of the potential problems it poses. But before we throw the whole idea out, let's look at little more closely at what social media is and how it can be used effectively in the classroom setting.

We tend to think of social media as being very specific websites, such as Facebook and Twitter. According to Merriam Webster, social media is any form of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. This definition opens up a whole array of websites and apps that can be used to form communities and share information.

Next, we become concerned with the dangers of allowing students to use a variety of social media tools. We worry about students accessing inappropriate sites, about sharing too much information, and about becoming targets for individuals with negative intentions. These are very real concerns that need to be addresses, but they should not be reasons for avoiding social media all together. Instead, we need to become familiar with and educate student on what types of safety precautions to take and how to handle a variety of situations. Please check out the post about Social Media Safety for more information and resources.

Now let's look at a few of the advantages and ways social media can be used in the classroom setting. Using social media allows students to share their learning in a variety of ways. They can create videos or graphic based projects as well as more traditional text based responses. Their learning can be easily shared with a larger audience, both within the classroom in sharing with other students as well as beyond the classroom walls. The social media tools can also be used to connect with other classes around the world and as a way to experience field "trips" that might not normally be an option.

Here are just a few websites that can be used in the classroom setting:

• Padlet or Popplet
• These two websites serve similar purposes, though there are small differences between them. 
• Use to share and organize information.
• Use text, photos, videos.
• Padlet settings can allow for comments to be enabled.
• Limit sharing to within the classroom, share with select people/groups, or make public

• Twiducate
• This website allows teachers to create a Twitter-like, private platform for their students.
• Respond to teacher posted questions.
• Post mini-book reviews.
• React to lessons, books, etc.
• Connect with other teachers and their students.
• 
  

• EduBlogs
• Use Edublogs to share what is happening in your classroom.
• Publish a class blog, or allow students to create their own blogs.
• Adjust settings to control visibility of blogs.
• Require posts to be approved before posting, or allow for unmoderated posting.

• Fan.School (formerly known as KidsBlogs)
• Fan.School is great for allows students to share and read about specifics interest areas.
• Teachers create a space for their students to connect with each other.
• Students choose interest areas that they are "fans" of and are able to read posts from others.

As I mentioned above, these are just a few of the websites that can be used within the classroom. What are your favorite sites? How do you use them in your classroom?

Attributions:  

• Social Media Image: 
• Public Domain https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1438937
• Padlet Image: 
• Ll aj09, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Popplet Image:
• Franziska Ruben, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Twiducate Image:
• https://www.livelingua.com/twiducate/
• Edublogs Image:
• https://edublogs.org
• Fan.School Image:
• https://go.fan.school

Social Media Beyond the Classroom

When we start talking about using social media to share our classroom experience with a wider audience, we frequently think about the same concerns as covered in the Social Media in the Classroom post.  We also need to seriously evaluate the privacy needs of all our students.  Most schools will have a list of students who do/don't have a photo release form on file.  Do all your students have a photo release?  If not, you will need to make sure not to share identifiable pictures of those students.  Are all your students comfortable having their photo shared on your class Twitter account?  Do any of them have (documented or not) concerns due to being a foster/adopted child?  Are there home dynamics (abusive/controlling family members) that could be worsened because of a picture being posted?  These are all questions you need to seriously consider when choosing to share pictures and information from your classroom.

Now that we covered that, let's take a look at ways to use social media to share beyond the classroom walls.  Social media is an awesome way to communicate with parents and community members about upcoming events, important information, and what is happening in your classroom.  Just be careful not to unintentionally exclude families that might not have regular internet access or choose not to use the same platforms as you do.  

Here are some options for sharing beyond the classroom walls:

• Facebook Group
• Create a private/closed Facebook group and allow immediate family members of students to join.
• Share pictures, events, updates on what is happening in the classroom.
• Many districts have Facebook blocked on district devices, so you may be limited to only updating through your personal device.

• Twitter Account
• Share classroom updates, photos.
• If you set the account to private, then you can approve follow requests.  Or set the account to public so that anyone can follow you.
• Read and respond to tweets and comments as a class.

• Class Blog
• Create a blog, possibly using EduBlogs (discussed in the Social Media in the Classroom post).
• Provide more detailed updates.
• Create posts as a class, or assign students to create posts. 

Do you have a way you share your classroom updates online?  What types of things do you post?

Attributions:

• Social Media Image:
• Ndiayebassirou, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Facebook Group Image:
• https://pixabay.com/illustrations/facebook-group-comm-community-1563273/
• Twitter Image:
• Public Domain: https://www.stockvault.net/photo/252897/twitter-concept
• Blog Image:
• Public Domain: https://www.stockvault.net/photo/252723/blogging-illustration

Social Media Safety for students

 One of the most important things we can start teaching our students as we incorporate school devices and social media into the school setting is how to navigate these tools safely.  This is a skill that they will need as it is a huge part of our current society.  This is something we need to start teaching early and reinforcing often.  I personally recommend the Digital Citizenship lessons for K-12 from Common Sense Media.  Much of what will be discussed in this blog post is found in their curriculum.  Common Sense Media has other great resources as well, such as reviews for movies, TV shows, books, games, and apps.  

No matter what resources you incorporate into teaching your students about internet safety, make sure that you always remind them to talk to the adults in their family about what their family rules are.  Each family is different and as such, expectations of what is or isn't okay are different as well.

Below are just a few things to think about as we teach our students and demonstrate how to appropriately use social media.

• Don't share identifying/personal information.
• This includes things like your full name, phone number, passwords, location, information about your family, credit card or bank account numbers.
• This information could be used to identify a specific person and their location.
• It could also be used to steal ones identity and access accounts or open new accounts fraudulently.

• Remember that everyone has a digital footprint.
• A digital footprint represents anything a person does online.
• This includes what websites you visit and what you post.
• Remember that even if you post something privately, that doesn't mean it stays private because anyone who can see it can take a screenshot or copy it.

• Only use approved websites and apps.
• Talk with the adults in your family to see what those are and what you should do if you want to go to a new website/app.
• If you accidentally end up on a website that you don't understand or that makes you uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult right away.
• Don't click on links you aren't familiar with and don't chat with people you don't know (or that your adults haven't approved).

• Be aware of online bullying.
• If you are bullied or you see someone being bullied, report it and tell an adult.
• Think before you post anything online.  Is it kind, respectful, helpful?
• If you wouldn't say it to your friends in person, then don't say it online.

• Practice media balance.
• Make time to turn off devices.
• Play with friends and family in real life.
• Exercise and get fresh air.
• Eat a healthy variety of foods.
• Read a real book.

• Don't trust everything you see online.
• There is a lot of clickbait, phishing schemes, and fake news around.
• If something doesn't seem right, it's probably not.
• Check to make sure links are authentic before you click them.
• Be aware of messages asking for help, saying you won money, or stating that there is a problem with your account.  These frequently lead to asking for financial information.  

This isn't a comprehensive list, but it's a good place to start!  What are your favorite resources for teaching social media safety?

Attributions:

• Safety First Image:
• Public Domain: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/digital-traffic-signs-security-579553/
• Personal Information Image
• Public Domain https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1449185
• Footprint Image
• Notnarayan, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Checkmark Image
• Public Domain https://pixabay.com/vectors/check-button-computer-icon-symbol-24849/
• Don't Bully Image
• Alejandrasotomange, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Scale Image
• https://pixabay.com/vectors/scales-justice-scale-libra-balance-147219/
• Phishing Image
• https://pixabay.com/illustrations/phishing-fraud-cyber-security-3390518/