Social media in the classroom? I am not convinced that I want to use it in my 7th grade classroom too often. I have run into too much flack from parents when I tried to use it on a field trip as a way to support student learning. Moreover, when used, my students did not show more advanced learning than using traditional methods; but I am open to the possibilities.
Social media for my use? I admit that I am intrigued. My friends find great ideas posted on Pinterest and invite me to join them. I will. I am now in the twitter universe. Although annoyed by the twitter emails and advertising, I have seen some ideas from others that I find intriguing. I think I can even use twitter to post a query specifically to help in my driving question. Since I am interested in helping students develop quality questions, I could seek counsel and input about how others define or identify quality questions. By broadening my input, I can better define these for my students and myself. On a different note, how would I respond to an inappropriate post by students made outside of school? The best answer I can give is, it depends. Considerations: severity of the post or actions described in the post, my relationship to the student, my knowledge of the student's background, the law, and an examination of my own moral code in relationship to the codes of other cultures, ethnicities, and groups. Finally, my reactions to other peoples' behavior almost always starts with my relationship to them. I use relationships and one-on-one discussions to better guide behavior than going to discipline. If it is necessary to call in outside resources such as parents, other teachers, administrators, or the police, I would, by default, start at the lowest level because I find most issues dealt with on lower levels can be resolved. When we go up the level of discipline too quickly, students and parents feel attacked and go into defensive mode which shuts down effective communication and lessons a learning opportunity. T
6 Comments
Kelley S. Miller
3/11/2017 02:35:17 pm
As usual, your blog reflects the thoughts of a discerning teacher. So often that discernment does come after a "trial run"- that is certainly how I'd characterize my experience with PBL. And, as we discussed frequently in our 701 class, technology is only a benefit when it is improving the learning experience. I am curious to know what social media you tried using in your field trip.
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todd a
3/11/2017 03:28:00 pm
We use instagram on a tour of Castello di Amorosa.
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Jennifer Wade
3/12/2017 10:15:59 am
I am with you as far as using social media in the classroom at this time. More guidelines are needed and we as teachers need to make certain that we are protected legally if we are being asked to use it. I think too that we need to begin teaching appropriateness in the earlier grades so that there is some preparation. To expect them to learn a new tool and all the rules around it may prove to be too much for them and too much for the instructor. I agree that it is helpful in seeking new information, sites to visit and people to learn from. I, like you, thought that the Twitter pill was a bitter one to swallow. I am actually finding it more useful than I had ever imagined and am looking forward to learning new ways that it can benefit my instruction.
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Diane
3/12/2017 11:23:58 am
I like like your reaction to how you would handle an inappropriate posting. Involving the parent is important but I understand what you mean. It does depend on the situation and type of parent and relationship you have.
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Karly Miller
3/12/2017 03:46:57 pm
Hi Todd,
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3/13/2017 06:31:53 pm
I'm sorry to hear about the flack you got when you used Instagram. I'm not sure how you had it set up but maybe you could have approached the posting thing different. I have seen it done where the teacher after had the account and they had to provide pictures after the fact from the trip or project and they (teacher and students) posted the hashtag to the class' Instagram. That way the kids still take the picture and get to use the filters but there is the buffer/control (you) of the content in the digital world. I do hear you though. I will only admit here and now that it is hard to incorporate social media by the definition that only includes facebook and other sites like it. I am on the hunt for a site that offers a safe environment. I did a couple of searches and every site that claimed to be a fb for kids is shut down. Literally every site! Well, except one Disney one and that has an announcement at the top of the home page saying it is going offline at the end of March. HA! Honestly, I almost think that fb has kind of had it's turn in the limelight. Not saying it is over, but from most students I talk with they are into snapchat and Instagram and other such sites. Well, actually, everybody says they don't have a fb but they all secretly do but, they don't ever check it. haha the lies we tell ourselves...So, to sum up everything the search is still on for a positive environment for our students to call social media.
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About MeAfter teaching for 20 years, I've decided to pursue a master's degree! Archives
July 2017
CategoriesThis is me working on my classwork... usually at night after the heater is off.... sitting long times makes me cold!
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