Journal 3 Blog Post:
Social Media
Friesen, N. (2010). Education and the social
Web: Connective learning and the commercial imperative. First Monday, 15(12).
doi:10.5210/fm.v15i12.3149
Coffin, T., & Fournier, J. (2015). Social
media in the learning setting: Opportunities and
challenges. Retrieved from https://itconnect.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Social-Media-in-the-Learning-Setting.pdf
Reflection:
While reading, Commercial Concerns in the Social Web,
I felt a little confused as to how this affects using social media in the
classroom. Yes these web companies make their money from sending us
advertisements that are tailored to our individual likes, but should that
diminish these tools in the classroom?
The learner may not
be “at the center of networks of knowledge and expertise,” but I have to
disagree with Friesen and say that there is still potential for “leading to new
forms of learning and education.” As a teacher I would use these differences in
advertisements to teach a lesson on acceptance and inclusivity. Furthermore the
advertisements could be used to teach digital citizenship. As Internet users we
are constantly being watched; we have to be careful about what we do and say
because it will always be there even if we delete it.
As stated in Social Media Concerns and Opportunities,
“students and instructors alike worry that social media is a distraction in the
learning environment.” As a 4th grade teacher I do worry about the Internet
being a distraction but my worry does not surpass the opportunities I see for
student achievement.
Knowing that my
students get easily distracted I use Chrome extensions like Lights Out and Work Flow to aid their learning while using technology. Lights Out prevents my students from
seeing the advertisements and related videos that pop up on the side of a
YouTube video by blacking them out altogether. Work Flow gives them a set time
to work (disables social media sites) than a set time to explore (all sites
open). Knowing that they have a scheduled “free time” helps increase their
productivity while working on the computer. As an educator I see the value of
technology in the classroom so I try to make it as seamless as possible for my
students to use.
Questions:
Q: Should we stop
using social media to aid our instruction because it has advertisements?
A: No, students are
surrounded by advertisements everywhere they go. If they come to be expected
they will become less distracting. Furthermore, if we teach our students
digital citizenship and explain why they are seeing these advertisements they
can gain a greater understanding of this powerful tool.
Q: Could the
challenges that teachers face with social media be prevented or changed to
opportunities with PD training?
A: From experience in
talking to my fellow teaching colleagues I do believe that many of the
challenges that they have with technology could be changed into opportunities
with support and training. So often I hear teachers say, “the district wants me
to use this new tool but has not given me the time to learn it or provided training
on how to implement it.” PD is so important in teaching as we are constantly
trying new things to improve our pedagogy.
I agree with you that our students are already surrounded by advertisements. They see them on tv, on the internet, on the radio, and even when they are in the car with their parents. That should not be a reason against using social media.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that it is difficult to implement new technologies or programs without the proper training, especially ones we are not familiar with at all. If we see the positives in something, then we may just have to learn them on our own.
You make a very good point that advertisements should not deter teachers from using social media in classrooms. They are everywhere, and it is better to just teach students to accept it than to try to suppress it altogether.
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