Social Media in the Classroom
Are any of your students NOT on social media? Didn't think so. Instagram, Snapchat, and what I've been told is social media for old people (Facebook and Twitter), are tantalizing, mesmerizing, and distracting for today's students. But perhaps we can re-harness this obsession to be not only positive for their digital footprints, but also integrated into your classroom.
How many of your students do you think were actually trained on how and what to post on their social media? They learn by observation and that's not always a great thing. By using social media in your classroom, YOU are setting the example and becoming a role model for their future digital self. Social media etiquette is rarely discussed as a preventative measure but instead as a result of poor choices. We can empower our students to utilize their social media platform for good, not for evil.
Why should your classroom jump on board?
There is great value to having your students share their work with more than just their classmates and those that can view your bulletin boards. "Students will always do their worst writing when they know the only person who will ultimately view it is their teacher" (Delzer). Having students post to a common blog, Instagram, or Twitter account gives them an authentic audience that reaches way beyond the classroom walls. If students know that their parents, peers, and community members are going to be viewing their work, there is more likely to be accountability and ownership of what that work will look like.
How do I start?
First of all, create a Twitter account or Instagram account specifically for you and your students to use at school. Allow them to be logged in as "Tweeter of the Day" or "Poster of the day" thus giving them ownership of the post and allowing them to relay their school experience through their own perspective. Have thoughtful discussions about digital citizenship each day in regards to each student's post and those of other school's your class may be following. Look at #leydenpride as a great example.
*Remember that Twitter requires parental consent for those under age 13, thus you, as a teacher, are the owner of the account.
Create a brand
We have already started to create our school brand with #ihknights on both Twitter and Instagram. The district has their brand through #oursmsdstory and #proudtobesmsd. What will your classroom brand be? "Within the past few years, this idea of branding our schools/classrooms has become extremely valuable, as it promotes transparency by painting an accurate, live picture of what is taking place" (Delzer). And remember, we want that picture to be from the student's point of view, not the teachers'.
Don't be scared!
Kayla Delzer is a 2nd grade teacher in ND and shares: "What we do in my classroom: By literally handing over classroom devices that are logged into our accounts, I am giving my students control to cultivate our brand. We have a rule in our classroom to only share pictures and the work of students that are engaged or making smart choices. Additionally, my students start each day with an introductory post (and usually a selfie or picture with me), and sign every post so our followers know who is writing that day. Day by day and month by month, they are sharing work that they deem important from inside our four walls."
Here are 10 ways to use social media in the classroom as shared by this blog:
Follow some of your colleagues:
How many of your students do you think were actually trained on how and what to post on their social media? They learn by observation and that's not always a great thing. By using social media in your classroom, YOU are setting the example and becoming a role model for their future digital self. Social media etiquette is rarely discussed as a preventative measure but instead as a result of poor choices. We can empower our students to utilize their social media platform for good, not for evil.
Why should your classroom jump on board?
There is great value to having your students share their work with more than just their classmates and those that can view your bulletin boards. "Students will always do their worst writing when they know the only person who will ultimately view it is their teacher" (Delzer). Having students post to a common blog, Instagram, or Twitter account gives them an authentic audience that reaches way beyond the classroom walls. If students know that their parents, peers, and community members are going to be viewing their work, there is more likely to be accountability and ownership of what that work will look like.
How do I start?
First of all, create a Twitter account or Instagram account specifically for you and your students to use at school. Allow them to be logged in as "Tweeter of the Day" or "Poster of the day" thus giving them ownership of the post and allowing them to relay their school experience through their own perspective. Have thoughtful discussions about digital citizenship each day in regards to each student's post and those of other school's your class may be following. Look at #leydenpride as a great example.
*Remember that Twitter requires parental consent for those under age 13, thus you, as a teacher, are the owner of the account.
Create a brand
We have already started to create our school brand with #ihknights on both Twitter and Instagram. The district has their brand through #oursmsdstory and #proudtobesmsd. What will your classroom brand be? "Within the past few years, this idea of branding our schools/classrooms has become extremely valuable, as it promotes transparency by painting an accurate, live picture of what is taking place" (Delzer). And remember, we want that picture to be from the student's point of view, not the teachers'.
Don't be scared!
Kayla Delzer is a 2nd grade teacher in ND and shares: "What we do in my classroom: By literally handing over classroom devices that are logged into our accounts, I am giving my students control to cultivate our brand. We have a rule in our classroom to only share pictures and the work of students that are engaged or making smart choices. Additionally, my students start each day with an introductory post (and usually a selfie or picture with me), and sign every post so our followers know who is writing that day. Day by day and month by month, they are sharing work that they deem important from inside our four walls."
Here are 10 ways to use social media in the classroom as shared by this blog:
- Set an example
- Connect the entire classroom in a Facebook group (or Twitter account, or Instagram account)
- Ask your students to blog
- Invite guest speakers (via Skype or Google Hangout)
- Tweet!
- Host a podcast
- Start pinning
- Connect with other classrooms
- Start a Flickr photography project
- Start your own class profile
Follow some of your colleagues:
Instagram:
IH: @indianhillsknights
Byfield: @Glencoe.Club
Yearbook: @ihms_yearbook_club
Twitter:
IH: @IHKnights
Revelle: @Blake_Revelle
Wayne: @knightscitech
Wayne: @knightscitech
Delzer, Kayla. "Three Reasons Students Should Own Your Classroom's Twitter and Instagram Accounts (EdSurge News)." EdSurge. EdSurge, 10 July 2016. Web. 05 Dec. 2016.
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