Teaching Using Social Media in the Classroom

Reflection Question: How can teachers use Social Media in the classroom as both, part of the instructional approach in teaching as well as helping students understand the online web 2.0 environment?

I think it is really important for teachers to educate students in the environment within which they live. We live in a technology-infused era, and as such, we need to prepare students for it by adding technology to our teaching strategies. By integrating technologies that they would likely use on a regular basis, we can build upon their prior knowledge and we are able to show them safer methods and how to use Web 2.0 tools for more than just snapping “selfies”. As part of an instructional approach, I think using technology in our daily lessons and assignments demonstrates to students that schools are not afraid of technology, as they once seemed to be when I was a student, and that we are embracing a tech-enhanced environment.

I think I was in grade 7 or 8 when we had our first computer introduced to our classroom. I’m not sure it was ever turned on. I do recall taking keyboarding on little electronic keyboards instead of software on the computer but our classroom computer went widely under utilized. We also took a computer class (our school had recently installed a lab) but it really wasn’t fun at all and we weren’t in the lab very often. I want students to be able to explore and co-create assignments to be able to build upon their own individual skill level with technology. I want them to learn to be creative and to think outside the box, but most importantly, to be safe and to build an online footprint that they can be proud of.