The Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Classroom

By Tracey Dowdy

If you’re looking to start a debate, I suggest bringing up the issue of social media and whether or not it belongs in the classroom. Parents, educators, students – everyone has an opinion, and it’s an interesting mix of individuals on both sides of the issue.

In our technology-saturated society, one could argue social media is already in our schools. Every day teachers battle to keep kids off their phones and focused on what’s happening in the classroom, and see social media as a distraction. On the other side of the debate, educators have embraced social media as a way to engage with students outside conventional teaching methods, recognizing that students raised on smartphones and laptops have developed very different learning styles from past generations.

Those against social media in the classroom say there’s no need to look further than the name: “social media.” In other words, its purpose is socialization and it should be kept that way. Gail Leight, teacher and contributor to pbs.org points out that many of her junior high students already live in a very “it’s all about me” world and the social media they engage in promotes a very narrow world view. For her, the goal of educators should be to open student’s minds, exposing and challenging them to see the world beyond their social media circles. In addition, students may struggle to shift between digital and real-life learning and may not be able to separate the two worlds effectively.

On the other side are educators embracing social media and making it an essential part of their curriculum and teaching methods. Recognizing this generation of students will be among the first to have lived out their entire lives online, the value of this approach is obvious. From moms posting baby photos through their own social media accounts, virtually every aspect of students’ lives will be out there.  As a result, it’s become more and more critical for students to understand the importance of curating their online presence. As these students graduate and move into the workforce, there will be a higher level of accountability for their digital footprints. Many employers already see social media accounts as an unofficial piece of a potential employee’s resume.

Don Goble teaches Broadcast Technology, Film and Multimedia at Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He points out that: “Students communicate, research, collaborate, create and publish online with or without the help of parents or educators. These same students then hop on social media to promote, discuss and share their thoughts with the world. The digital environment is offering us some of the greatest learning opportunities that young learners have ever had.” He further compares excluding social media from the classroom to giving a 13 year old the keys to a Ferrari and telling them to have fun. Not only is it ridiculous – it’s dangerous for the teen and for those with whom they come into contact.

Educators aren’t suggesting adding Facebook or Snapchat 101 to the core curriculum. Instead, they advocate taking what’s already part of the curriculum – basic writing skills for example – and applying it to blogging on closed, education-based sites like Edublogs or Kidblog. Others may use Edmodo, marketed as Facebook for schools, Fakebook, or FakeTweet to teach students what is and isn’t appropriate to put online.

In the words of teacher Vicki Davis, “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.”

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Toronto, ON. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances and researches on subjects from family and education to pop culture and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Comments:

  1. I just could not depart your web site before suggesting that
    I really loved the usual info a person provide on your visitors?
    Is gonna be back often in order to check up on new posts

  2. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent web site. I
    stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going to revisit once again since I book marked it.
    Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich
    and continue to help others.

  5. Hi there it’s me, I am also visiting this web site daily, this web page is genuinely pleasant and
    the viewers are genuinely sharing good thoughts.

  6. It’s actually a great and useful piece of info.

    I’m satisfied that you shared this useful info with us.
    Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  7. Hi there, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i
    was just wondering if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do
    you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can recommend?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.

  8. That is very interesting, You’re an overly skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and look ahead to in the hunt for extra
    of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks

  9. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation?
    My blog has a lot of unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization.
    Do you know any techniques to help prevent content from being ripped off?
    I’d genuinely appreciate it.

  11. I’m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both educative and engaging, and let me
    tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough
    men and women are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very
    happy that I found this in my search for something concerning this.

  12. I am not positive where you are getting your information, but good topic.

    I must spend a while studying much more or understanding
    more. Thank you for great info I was in search of this info for my mission.

  13. Hey There. I discovered your weblog the use of msn. This is a really well written article.
    I will be sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of your useful information. Thanks for
    the post. I will certainly return.

  14. I’m gone to inform my little brother, that he should also pay
    a visit this website on regular basis to obtain updated from most up-to-date information.

  16. After going over a handful of the blog posts on your site,
    I honestly like your technique of blogging. I saved it
    to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon.
    Please check out my website too and let me know what you think.

  17. It’s awesome for me to have a web site, which is valuable in favor of my knowledge.
    thanks admin

  18. Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of the challenges.
    It was really informative. Your website is useful. Thanks for sharing!

  19. Hello very nice website!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful ..
    I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally?
    I am happy to search out a lot of helpful info here in the submit, we need develop
    more strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing.
    . . . . .

  22. Appreciating the hard work you put intro your site and detailed information you provide.
    It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that
    isn’t the same out of date rehashed material.
    Excellent read! I’ve saaved your sijte and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    Here iis my web-site; yotor.org

  24. Hi there, I found your website byy means of Google at the same time as looking for
    a similar topic, your web sitte got here up, it seems to be good.
    I’ve bookmarked it in my googlle bookmarks.

    Hello there, just changed into aware of your blog thru Google, and located tthat it’s
    truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels.
    I will be grateful in case yoou continue this {in future}.
    Numerous people will probably be benefited from
    your writing. Cheers!

    Also visit my blog best rated live sex

  25. Hey would you miind letting me know which hosting company you’re using?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
    Can you suggest a good hosting provider at found a XXX video here honest price?
    Many thanks, I appreciate it!

  26. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text inn your post seem to be running off thhe
    sceeen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this iss
    a format issue or something to do with intenet browser compatibility but
    I figured I’d post to let you know. The style and desin look great though!
    Hope you get the problwm solved soon. Thanks

    Feel ree to surf to my page: Christen

  28. Ankara Kapalı Türbanlı Dehset Sexi Escort Merhaba arkadaslar nasılsınız ben ankara escort sıtesınden azgın ve
    dehset kapalı endamlı escort aslı arkadaslar ben ankara nın yenı gelını azgın escort
    aslı ben aslen ıgdırlı yım azerı kokenlı bır
    bayanım yabancı escort ta dıyebılırsınız.

    Ben 25 yasındayım yaklasık olarak 1 senedır ankarada yım buraya evlenerek.

  30. Türkiye’nin en güvenilir şans oyunları sitesi, Bets10 mobil
    uygulamasında da lider durumda. Spor bahisleri, canlı bahis, casino, canlı
    casino, ve online poker oyunları artık cebinizde.

  32. My partner and I absolutely love your blog and
    find many of your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for.
    Does one offer guest writers to write content for you?
    I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write concerning here.
    Again, awesome weblog!

  33. Hmm it looks like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I
    guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say,
    I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m
    still new to everything. Do you have any recommendations for novice blog writers?
    I’d certainly appreciate it.

  35. Someone essentially lend a hand to make critically articles I
    might state. This is the first time I frequented your website
    page and up to now? I amazed with the research you made to make
    this particular put up extraordinary. Excellent activity!

  38. Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?

    There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content.

    Please let me know. Thanks

  40. I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your site?
    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
    But maybe you could a little more in the way of
    content so people could connect with it better.

    Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 images.
    Maybe you could space it out better?

  41. you are truly a just right webmaster. The website loading speed is amazing.
    It kind of feels that you are doing any unique trick.

    Furthermore, The contents are masterwork.
    you’ve performed a excellent activity on this matter!

  42. Hi there, I discovered your blog via Google even as searching for a comparable topic, your website
    came up, it appears to be like good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hi there, just was aware of your weblog via Google, and found that it is truly informative.
    I am going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate in case you continue this in future.
    Numerous other folks will probably be benefited out of your writing.

    Cheers!

  43. I think everything composed made a ton of sense. But, what about this?

    what if you were to write a awesome title? I mean, I don’t want to tell you how to run your blog, but what if you added a post title that grabbed a person’s attention? I mean The Pros and Cons of
    Social Media in the Classroom – The Online Mom is kinda plain. You ought to glance at Yahoo’s front page and
    note how they write news headlines to grab people to click.
    You might add a related video or a pic or two to grab people excited about what you’ve
    got to say. In my opinion, it might make your posts a little bit more interesting.

  45. Terrific article! That is the type of information that should be shared across
    the web. Disgrace on Google for not positioning this post
    upper! Come on over and seek advice from my web site .
    Thanks =)

  46. I’m curious to find out what blog system you happen to be utilizing?
    I’m experiencing some small security problems with my latest
    site and I would like to find something more safeguarded.
    Do you have any recommendations?

  47. Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
    you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is fantastic, let alone the content!

  49. I think that is among the such a lot vital information for me.
    And i am satisfied reading your article. But should remark on few common things, The web site taste is ideal, the articles is in reality great :
    D. Just right process, cheers

  50. Hi there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say
    I really enjoy reading through your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums
    that deal with the same topics? Many thanks!

  56. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for
    me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a
    developer to create your theme? Excellent work!

  57. I for all time emailed this website post page to all my
    contacts, because if like to read it after that my contacts will too.

  59. Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff
    previous to and you are just too wonderful. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like
    what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you
    still take care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far
    more from you. This is really a great web site.

  63. Admiring the dedication you put into your blog and detailed information you provide.
    It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same
    old rehashed material. Wonderful read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS
    feeds to my Google account.

  66. Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the web the simplest thing to consider of.
    I say to you, I definitely get annoyed whilst other people consider concerns that they just don’t
    recognise about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top
    and also outlined out the whole thing with no
    need side effect , people can take a signal. Will probably be again to get more.
    Thank you

  67. Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site?
    The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a
    little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended Articles

7 Social Networking Tips for Graduates

5 Test Prep Apps for High-Schoolers

Networking for a Better Education

10 things you shouldn’t do on a social network

10 iPhone apps for early childhood educators