5-4 Blog: Social Networking

“Social networking is the use of dedicated websites and applications to interact with other users, or to find people with similar interests,” (Google, 2015). The important information to realize is that social networking is mostly about communicating with others and the way chosen to use it in the classroom is up to the teacher. Some of the ways that social networking sites are being used in the classroom are “blog posts, status updates, connecting with other classrooms in the state, country or world, to give feedback on an assignment, to create videos or podcasts and special interest projects,” (Edutopia, 2015). These types of classroom assessments could also be used for professional development or for administration to contact staff. Whatever source is used it is essential that the educator using it must have a large amount of knowledge of that program. That way he or she is aware of possible issues that could occur and then create a plan to prevent them from happening.

There are many advantages to using social networking sites in the classroom, such as increasing student engagement, by creating value and interest for the student. Also teachers are able to get valuable data to track student’s progress (Pandolfo, 2012). The systems that are being created “will be able to analyze that student's work and their understanding and be able to give the right kind of feedback at the right time to help them deepen their understanding,” (Pandolfo, 2012). Profile based websites, like LinkedIn, have “enhanced profiles to include organizations, projects, awards, test scores and courses to make that first job out of college more attainable,”(Goble, & Leicht, 2014). Many college campuses are using social networking sites to promote “professional networking, outreach to current and potential students and school pride,” (Glenn, 2012). Using these types of websites in the classroom allows students to feel like what they are producing can go beyond the classroom.

Although the advantages are significant, there are disadvantages as well. Many educators feel that it could lead to too much computer time; school should be a place where students can shut off their technology (Pandolfo, 2012). Another disadvantage is that many of our students are becoming “deficient in the face-to-face social skills needed in the workplace,” (Pandolfo, 2012). “Students want to use social media for socializing, not as an extended classroom,” (Glenn, 2012). In addition some believe that “Social media is not expanding their social circle or worldview, it’s limiting it,” (Pandolfo, 2012).

I personally believe that social networking websites used in the classroom could be successful, although there does need to be guidelines. Educators should not be using these sources just to use them, there needs to be an educational purpose. The educator needs to have strict expectations and instructions when using networking sites. Also I believe that certain age groups may be more successful than others, for example college level learners should be able to maintain a blog or twitter account, where as an elementary student may struggle at this task and need more guidance. From my experience I think that middle school students may take advantage of the assignment and use it for social not educational purposes. “The digital environment is offering us some of the greatest learning opportunities that young learners have ever had,” how we use them is important (Edutopia, 2015).

Resources:

Edutopia. (2015). A Guidebook for Social Media in the Classroom. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/guidebook-social-media-in-classroom-vicki-davis

Glenn, D. (2012). How Well are Schools Using Social Media? Retrieved from http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/how-well-are-schools-using-social-media-infographic/90209?red=st

Goble, D. & Leicht, G. (2014). Should Teachers be Using Social Media in the Classroom? Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/social-media-valuable-tool-teachers/

Google. (2015). Social Networking. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=definition+of+social+networking

Pandolfo, N. (2012). Social Media and Video Games in Classrooms Can Yield Valuable Data For Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/30/social-media-and-video-ga_n_1465082.html