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.
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
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.
I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This paragraph posted at this site
is genuinely nice.
This paragraph is truly a fastidious one it assists new net users,
who are wishing for blogging.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Outstanding quest there. What happened after?
Take care!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hi mates, nice article and good urging commented here, I am really enjoying by these.
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.
It’s awesome for me to have a web site, which is valuable in favor of my knowledge.
thanks admin
Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of the challenges.
It was really informative. Your website is useful. Thanks for sharing!
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.
. . . . .
Hi Dear, are you truly visiting this web site on a regular basis, if so after that you will absolutely takie
pleasant experience.
Feel free to suurf to my website – https://vivariumbuilders.com/community/profile/shauncoulombe3
Great web site you’ve got here.. It’s difficult
to find quality writing like yours these days. I truly appreciate people like you!
Take care!!
my homepage – the number one sex chat
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
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across
a blog that’s equally educative aand interesting, and without a doubt,
everything you need to know about filles nues have hit
the naqil on the head. The problem is something which too
few people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I found this in my search foor something
relating to this.
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
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!
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
Fastidious respond in return of this query with firm arguments and telling all on the topic of that.
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.
US Sahin aga Oksani Sikiyor (Turkish). Şahin K alman hemşireyi sikiyorYine sikiş izle uzmanı türk porno artisti şahin k eline geçirdiği hemşireyi bütün fantazilerini üzerinde.
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.