Social Media Networking has become a phenomenon that is hard to avoid. Whether through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, My Space, Pinterest, or Linked In, social networking is quickly becoming a daily way to communicate with others. Social media networking is a trend that has grown exponentially over the past few years with people of all ages using these resources. More than just a platform for entertainment, media specialist and educators around the world are tapping into this research to promote learning. If you are thinking social media networking is just what your school needs to promote new books, programs, or events, there are several steps that may need to happen before you can get started.
The first step to consider is your school’s internet
filtering. Some schools have the filter
set to the highest restricted level and most (if not all) social media programs
will not be able to be accessed from school.
Contact your school technology liaison to find out how you can get your
site approved for use at school. Some
restrictions may apply to the ages of the students using the site, teacher guidance,
and permission from parents. Once your
site is approved remember to reinforce safe internet uses through programs and modeling. Even though many students may already be
using some of the social networking tools out there, we want to model and
promote safe ways to use these sites.
Below is a great article with listings of websites for promoting safe
internet use:
Schools are using social media for different reasons and with
each reason; a different site might be used for promoting books than for
discussion on math problem solving questions.
Depending on the needs of your school or media program, you may want to
research a few different sites before you commit to the most popular one. Below are some links to the more popular
social media sites with suggestions for each:
Facebook and My Big Campus – (Middle to High School for
Facebook/Elementary for My Big Campus) Great tool for promoting special events,
new books, guest speakers, and club or committee information.
Twitter – (Middle to High School) – Unique way to keep
students involved in the happenings at the media center (new books, book talks,
literary fact of the day).
Instagram – (Middle, High School or Teacher Resource) Post
pictures of new books, changes in the media center, book clubs.
My Space – (High School) Involve music education with
history and information of musicians.
Pinterest– Teacher Resource) Pin ideas for activities that
meet standards.
And as always keep in mind ways to tie in our standards with
each social media platform. As our
standards make the shift into Common Core, I am finding the big thing in common
between the new standards is the requirement and emphasis placed on students explaining
their thinking. Continue to think about what sites promote
discussion and collaboration as ways to help students not only explain their
own thinking, but have opportunities to compare with other’s ideas.
References:
Junion-Metz, Gail. (2008). Secure social networking. Retrieved October 20, 2012, from the School Library Journal site: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6574015.html?industryid=47060
Wieman, Roy. (n.d.). Social networking goes to school (image). Retrieved October 20, 2012, from
http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2010/06/16/03networking.h03.html
References:
Junion-Metz, Gail. (2008). Secure social networking. Retrieved October 20, 2012, from the School Library Journal site: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6574015.html?industryid=47060
Wieman, Roy. (n.d.). Social networking goes to school (image). Retrieved October 20, 2012, from
http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2010/06/16/03networking.h03.html
Nikki,
ReplyDeleteI like that your post details some of the ways to incorporate mainstream social networking into the classroom. I think it would be hard for students to ignore the literary post of the day on their Twitter feed! If schools want to stay at the forefront of students' lives, then they have to stay in constant sight. I agree that social networking must be safe in order to be effective in a school environment. We as teachers must be careful not to allow any negativity/bullying into our activities because we choose to incorporate social networking into our classrooms. I believe not only educating the students about safe internet use, but the teachers on how to safely implement social networking in the classroom is needed.
I think your post has given great examples in ways to use social media in the classroom. I really like the instagram use with a book of the day or week. I also agree with you about checking your internet filtering because normally these sites are blocked. I like how you provided the steps in hope to get one of these sights for your school. I had never heard of the site my big campus. I think that is a great way to promote school activities and information.
ReplyDeleteYour point about teaching the kids the safe way is excellent as well.