Most recent public comments by Emily Scott https://nowcomment.com/users/56398 https://nowcomment.com/documents/141908?scroll_to=1376043 https://nowcomment.com/documents/141908?scroll_to=1376043 I agree that though social media can be seen as a hindrance, when used properly, it is an invaluable tool. I like your idea of using something like Twitter for students to write lesson summaries; what an easy way for you to gage how students are responding to instruction! I also agree that as more teachers see the benefits of incorporating social media, they will make it part of their curriculum. I'm glad you mentioned keeping profiles private to ensure safety, because that can calm new users' hesitations. Wed, 24 Jul 2019 20:11:20 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/141908?scroll_to=1375860 https://nowcomment.com/documents/141908?scroll_to=1375860 In an educational setting, there are benefits to being part of the social media lifestyle. Teachers are able to share informational updates with parents, keeping them aware of important details such as key dates, schedule changes, and supply lists; this is especially helpful when students forget to write something down to tell their parents. Social media also allows teachers to share photos and videos of students at work. Parents can get an inside look into what goes on in their child’s classroom and know the exact nature of the instruction being given. Teachers can use a social media account to connect with other classrooms and teachers, sharing what their students are doing and reading about another school. Both teachers can exchange ideas about a project one class is working on, or collaborate and create something as a unit. The students can be informed about how the other classroom responded to their post and decide together what to send next. There are also drawbacks to involving social media in the classroom. A teacher could become too concerned with submitting a polished, perfect appearance of their situation. For example, in my case as a music teacher, I would want to post the best recording of my students playing the song they learned. Yet, this should not be the main focus of my instruction, and if the recording is not flawless, that should be alright, because my students are in the middle of the learning process. Social media is also prone to lead to unhealthy comparisons with others. It is not difficult to look at a colleague’s Twitter or Facebook page and envy the high quality resources she has or how fast her students are improving. This should not be the purpose of participating in social media; too much comparison is bound to become a thief of joy. Additionally, in any use of the internet there is the possibility of inappropriate content, and if a teacher is not careful about who she follows or friends, students can be exposed to material unsuitable for their age. Lastly, if privacy is not closely monitored, connections with the wrong people can be made. It is vital to monitor who has access to social media accounts to ensure the safety of teachers and students. A social media trend in the context of education that is likely to continue is the open exchange between educators, and the willingness to share ideas. It seems that this correspondence will not only go on, but grow as technology advances, making it easier for teachers from every area to connect with one another. Live videos are another trend whose continuation is probable. This feature was slowly added to each of the social media platforms and its use has become quite popular. As a music teacher, I can record live videos of my students composing while another class tunes in and gives suggestions and feedback; thus, we have collaborated and created a new piece. A new use of social media might include using Twitter polls,which can provide up to four multiple choice options, as a form of assessment, possibly as part of a test review. The teacher can project the class Twitter account and have the students answer the poll while watching the results occur immediately. Social media etiquette should be taught in school so that students may become aware of how to conduct themselves online. Students should know what content is appropriate to post, and who to allow access to their profiles. Social media is an incredible tool that can be used for creating invaluable experiences, but only when utilized appropriately. With a teacher’s guidance, students have the opportunity to collaborate and make discoveries through the medium of social media. Wed, 24 Jul 2019 00:32:48 -0400