Social Media in the Modern Classroom

The technology of the world has improved at an exponential rate throughout history. The education system must keep pace with the rapidly changing world we live in. Twenty five years ago the average person never thought about surfing the world wide web because it didn't exist. Now I can communicate with someone on the other side of the world in real time. Previously, these current possibilities would be impossible! Now everyday use of the Internet is common among all ages, adults and children.

As educators for the future, we need to prepare our students for the world they will be thrown into following their education. Educators shouldn't teach to a test or focus on specific subjects. Instead a wholesome, well-rounded education should be provided for every student in every classroom. This well-rounded education needs to include hands on experience with technology, including the use of social media and communication technologies in a controlled, safe classroom environment.

However, teachers using social media must be aware of the restrictions on the use of social media in the classroom. For example, my former high school, Akron High School, in Western New York has clear regulations for educators mirroring the regulations for students. Any member of the school community is expected to use the technology responsibly and in a manner that doesn't harm other individuals in the community. All offensive, inappropriate, obscene or aggressive activities are not acceptable and can result in severe consequences including loss of Internet privileges and suspension. Akron High School does not directly address the use of social media beyond the forbiddance of any inappropriate or offensive behavior. Teachers utilize their own discretion in matters regarding students and social media. During my time at Akron, I never utilized social media for educational purposes, but the school uses social media, specifically Twitter, to communicate with students regarding athletic events and sudden changes in the school schedule.

In contrast, Guilford County Schools provides teachers with very comprehensive guidelines regarding social media use in the classroom setting and personal realm. The guidelines specifically state:

1. Teachers are personally responsible for any content on the web involving themselves or on their pages. This content can be grounds for disciplinary action. 
2. Use of social media in the classroom should be strictly professional and educational. 
3. Teachers are encouraged to utilize social media and post regularly and responsibly. 

First, the county recognizes all social media, public and private as public content in the sense that anything you post must be appropriate. Teachers are clearly warned of the dangers social media can pose to their careers if they fail to exercise discretion, even on private pages. The district does not recommend teachers interaction with students and parents through their personal sites. The district cautions teachers against friending or following students and parents.  Second, annually, a teacher makes the news for inappropriate relations with a student. The guidelines clearly state the appropriate use of social media. Transparency on social media accounts is encouraged because providing false information on social media reflects poorly on the school district as well as the teacher. Lastly, despite these restrictions, teachers are encouraged to utilize social media and educate their students on responsible, productive use of social media. Social media can be used inappropriately, but teachers can help prevent inappropriate use by teaching social media in the classroom.

Educators, as displayed above, have permission to utilize social media in their classroom and the use of these mediums of communication is on the rise in schools.  One reason for this rise could be the placement of technology in the ISTE Standards.  As clearly stated in A Guidebook for Social Media in the Classroom, "Social media is here. It's just another resource and doesn't have to be a distraction from learning objectives. Social media is another tool that you can use to make your classroom more engaging, relevant and culturally diverse."  The technology enhances the classroom experience, but some educators, especially elementary educators, might still find it difficult to incorporate social media into their classroom.

Mrs. Lirenman, a first grade teacher in British Columbia, Canada utilizes blogging and Twitter in her first grade classroom.  Her students share their new knowledge about the world with the world through blog posts and tweets similar to the ones Mrs. Lirenman posts.  The social media interactions are closely monitored by Mrs. Lirenman, but the students read other blogs and connect with other students.  These connections extend learning beyond the confines of the classroom and into the world.

The Edudemic Staff provide some other examples of social media in education.  First, teachers can create a classroom Facebook page to communicate with parents and, with parental consent, share student work with parents and other students.  Second, a classroom Twitter feed keeps students and parents updated.  Also, the Twitter feed can be used to expand learning beyond the classroom.  Third, teachers can require students to blog or post their final work to Instagram.  As long as the profiles are private, the viewing of student work can be limited to just the teacher, classmates and parents.  These all are possible options for teachers of all ages.  Elementary teachers skeptical of the openness of social media have additional, more controlled environments to educate students about social media.

More controlled environments are available for younger students to learn the process and guidelines for social media use.  Edmodo, Edublogs, Kidblogs, Fakebook and FakeTweet are examples of more controlled environments that mimic the concepts and processes of common social media outlets. These options provide students and teachers a safe environment to utilize and grow through social media in the classroom.  The children versions increase privacy and provide educational experiences nearly identical to the public versions.

The debate over using technology in the classroom is over. The new debate is what technologies to use in the classroom to best enhance learning. As 21st century educators, we prepare or fail to prepare our students for their futures in the 'real world.' Students in college are utilizing social media for class projects and communication. As educators, we should mimic higher education because our function is to prepare students for a future in higher education. Furthermore, professionals in the workplace are utilizing social media to exchange ideas and innovations. This communication revolutionizes the spread of new technology and concepts in critical professions including the medical field.  Students strive to become all that they have the potential to be. Teachers should push students to increase their potential.

Social media will be a part of the future for every student no matter what field they choose. Therefore, educators must bring social media, even if it's educational social media (i.e. Edmodo, Edublog, Kidblog), into the classroom.  The new technology also brings new challenges to the classroom.  Teachers must be aware of the dangers of social media and implement the necessary safety measures for both their students and their careers.

References:

Akron Central School Board of Education (2014). Akron Central School District code of conduct. Retrieved from http://www.akronschools.org/cms/lib/NY19000426/Centricity/Domain/3/Full%20Code%20of%20Conduct%20approved%20July%202012Updated%209-17-14.pdf

Buzzz Social Media. (2011, October 23). The social media revolution 2015 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eUeL3n7fDs#t=13.137397

Davis, V. (2014). A guidebook for social media in the classroom. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/guidebook-social-media-in-classroom-vicki-davis

Edudemic Staff (2015). How to use social media as a learning tool. Retrieved from http://www.edudemic.com/how-to-use-social-media-as-a-learning-tool-in-the-classroom/

Frequency of faculty teaching social media by site graph [Online image]. (2013). Retrieved September 9, 2015 from http://aci.info/2015/03/26/aci-roundup-the-use-of-social-media-and-blogs-in-education/

Guilford County Schools (n.d.). Social media guidelines for faculty and staff. Retrieved from http://www1.gcsnc.com/boe/2011/3_24/Social%20Media%20Guidelines.pdf

Public Domain TV. (2014, July 25). Social media in the classroom: Forget textbooks! Use Twitter![Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoFMCpAvHtA