I was talking with my mother last week about the use of social media and devices in the classroom, discussing the pros and cons. She is a counselor in a high school. She informed me that her school is beginning the process of integrating mobile devices into the classroom. The school was already using classroom sets of iPads in some classes, but now they will allow students to bring tablets, cell phones and smart phones into class to use during the lecture. The idea is that students can respond to questions via text message or research topics from their desks. I asked about students that didn't own such a device and she said that the school would have a few that could be used during class and that students would also be encouraged to share.
Thinking back to when I was in school, it seems so foreign to allow such devices in class, but what a great idea! First, it puts internet in students' hands in the classroom. Second, it prevents the clandestine use of devices during class because cell phones and tablets are on the desk anyway. Students will have less chance to send secret text messages to friends.
The articles I read about social networking sites were mostly positive as well. One mentioned sites such as LibraryThing, but I personally prefer Good Reads. I can see Good Reads being utilized in Literature classes. It is a great way to see what books friends are reading and how they felt about them. My friends and I have Good Reads accounts and I often find new books by reading a review on one someone else read.
I'm not sure I can see the usefulness of sites like MySpace, Twitter or FaceBook in the classroom, unless the class had a page that the updated frequently with updates about class assignments or projects.
Freedom to surf the internet during class can have its drawbacks, too. There will always be one or two that abuse the privilege. Teachers will inevitably find students playing games or chatting with friends rather than paying attention in class, but that happens anyway without the technology in the classroom. Kids passing notes and reading comics has been going on in class for ages. Technology simply changes the way notes are passed.
You made a good point when you stated that students will get off task regardless fi they choose to do so. Whether they are daydreaming, passing notes, or playing games or using social networking, students will get off task sometimes. If we make learning fun, this is less likely to happen. I feel social media can be an exceptional communication tool for the classroom. Teachers can set aside times to assist students with homework assignments if needed. Teachers can send reminders to parents and students. Students can collaborate with eachother about projects. One benefit of using social newtorking is that most students are already familar with this sites. As an elementary media specialist, I send reminders about upcoming events on our school's FaceBook page. For example, I just reminded our parents that the Storybook character Pumpkins are due by October 22nd. I feel that social networking has a place in education if it is utilized correctly.
ReplyDeleteMy sister teaches high school. She thinks that the technology that is being pushed into the classroom is not novel enough to hold students' attention. Kids see iPads, phones, computers, etc. everywhere. My sister says that the activities that best keep her students' attention are the ones where she requires them to use markers, paper, crayons or paint to demonstrate what they learned.
DeleteWho knows? Perhaps too much of a good thing is a bad thing?
I think that social networking is the exacty type of forum that we need to be able to communicate with parents and students and let them know about assignments, sending reminders, etc. Obviously, allowing students to use Facebook in class has obvious problems. There should be a way that you can always be connected with your smartphone, much like with Facebooks, and are notified when something is updated or when you get a message. Someone should design a "Facebook for School" that would let students link it to their email so they would be notified immediately of announcements and/or postings. The problem comes when they are allowed to message each other.
DeleteMany school districts are moving to Bring your own devices. Social Networking has a place in the education system. However, a well taught lesson with assignments and projects that increase studnet achievement require more than technology that involves social networking. I am the Media Specialist in a high school. I enjoy social networking. The policies and procedures that the school district currently have in place prohibit the use of many of the popular social networking sites.
ReplyDeleteCommunication with parents and students about classwork, homework, projects and basic information would be and excellent use of social media. Students can and will use social networking appropriately. Teachers will need to monitor the use just as they do with the internet now. Student achievement can be increased with social networking tools. Additional training and software to monitor the students is needed. School district policy and procedure is behind the times.
Erin,
ReplyDeleteWe are also piloting Bring Your Own Learning Device (BYLD) in our high school this year. We have many teachers and students excited about being able to quickly access the internet for virtual field trips, research, surveys, discussion boards, Moodle, and Edmoto. In the media center, students access their school email, research, play games, check teacher webpages, and work on projects and homework.
We had eleven laptop labs delivered a few weeks ago. They were strategically placed so that students, who do not have a BYLD, could use a laptop. Our students are also encouraged to share although they are discouraged in touching other student’s technology.
I also thought back to my school days, and they did not look anything like it does today. I think that both teachers and students have amazing opportunities to go global and take their students out of the classroom to experience things that I have yet to encounter. The research from our school district from last year’s pilot shows a decrease in technology related offences and only one office referral related to BYLD.
I used twitter last year with 8th grade ELA students as a way to keep them informed and motivated. I didn’t have many followers, but the ones who did follow me thought it was fabulous that I would take the time to remind them of upcoming dates in a way that they chose.
I think it is so great that so many schools are letting students bring their learning devices to school. We all know that they bring them anyways, why not have them put to use in a productive way? I know teachers might worry that students will be off task, texting or looking at off topic sites, but I think if anything, using social media on mobile devices is much more transparent cause you can see what students are saying to each other, unlike the traditional way of "social networking" by passing notes.
ReplyDeleteWe just got 30 iPads to share in my department. I’ve have to admit that I don’t have one because I bought a Kindle for my own personal use. Though I am certain I can figure it out, I currently don’t know how they work. This is often my biggest obstacle in technology. I feel like I have to run to catch up sometimes. I am pretty sure I am not the only one who feels this way. For this kind of technology, teachers have to get used to seeing the phones and other devices out on the desk for class use as opposed to clandestine meetings (not that my students were ever really good at hiding their electronics in their laps anyway). My automatic reaction for the better part of a decade has been to tell them, “Put it away,” anytime I see them out. It’s going to be a difficult habit to break, but I hear it’s easier to just replace it with another one. Perhaps I will start asking them to Google something when I see they have their phones out. I know there are some schools piloting the Bring Your Own Device program in my county this year. It will be interesting to see how the numbers add up come testing time.
ReplyDeleteI am hard pressed to see Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace being a helpful social media tool in the classroom. There are just too many negatives involved. However, my school has been pushing Edmodo on us this year. I have been told it is just like Facebook for education. I need to examine it further before I firm up my opinions on it, but it sounds like a great way to stay in touch with students about class.
Great post Erin! I think it is interesting how schools and school districts are becoming much more open to the idea of students having technology out during class time. Like you said, they will do this anyway and the devices will just sit on the teachers desk and the teacher only becomes frustrated. I can not imagine how this will work and how frustrating it will be for teachers who are not used to this type of communication or way of life. It will be a huge adjustment for teachers and administrators, but I feel that this will be a great change and one that will be positive for classrooms. Thanks for making me think about this topic.
ReplyDelete