Using Social media in school can be such a wonderful and powerful way of allowing the students work to be viewed by a truly authentic audience. When I was a primary school teacher this would have been the most exciting new way to give my students a digital learning portfolio of their life at school. Now that I have finished my first year as a high school teacher, with only year 9 learning support (often behavioural support) students, I am constantly seeing these ideas through very different coloured glasses.
I total agree with Magette 2014, “Embedding social media in the classroom helps equip students, beginning even before middle school, with the skills and judgment to help them become effective communicators in the spaces where it can count most.” I just get this knot in my stomach when I try and imagine how this could be managed well with my students. Would they take this seriously? Which ones would misuse it? I know the ones that would just love it and see it as a fantastic way of keeping a record of their work and learning.
Mrs Cassidy talked about the connectedness that social media bought to her classroom. This excites me, on a primary school level. It scares me on a high school level. So many of my students are obsessed with their phones and texting their peers during class time. I have a sign on the door as they enter, instructing them about the use of phones, if seen they are asked to put them in their bag, if seen twice then they will be taken off until the end of the lesson. If I was to go down the road of social media for blogs etc, I am just not sure I would be opening a can of more than worms. Our school currently blocks all social media sites for staff and students, and with warranted reason.
How can I make this work? I would desperately love to, I see it as such an exciting tool. Has anyone had any experience with using this at high school level? Please give me feedback and comments I would love to read an article or communicate with anyone who has successfully implemented social media use into their classroom.
Using Social Media in the Classroom- Kathy Cassidy https://ed.ted.com/on/LY83ADUs
Magette, K. (2014). Embracing social media : a practical guide to manage risk and leverage opportunity. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.(Available in Unitec library).
Hello there, I loved hearing the enthusiasm in your reflection. I too trained primary and now teach in high school. I am learning to use digital tools in my class. My students use their phones, phones, laptops within most lessons. I have closed Facebook groups to communicate with students and parents. Rather than putting devices away, we are working with the students to make good choices on their use. Perfect? No way... they are young people who learn well through consequences - and losing a phone is a big consequence. Our rules are that they have to ask to use a device.At times this is a signal across the room. Students have to ask if they want to listen to music and accept if the answer is no, nor now. Devices have to be on silent. Devices have to be screen down when not in use - notifications are a distraction. Phones have to be face up when in use, so I can walk past and see what is in play. I use gamification and numerous apps to support learning or to modify a task. There are usually options of non-digital or small group collaboration activities. I have not yet worked out flipped lessons, but I'm keen to try. Not all of my students have devices but the number grows each year. I know some students will push the boundaries, however, by working with them I believe they will be too busy learning and peer pressure reinforces making good choices. Feel the fear and enjoy technology alongside our students.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated reading your blog Lynne and your comments Nica. As I am at the same school, I am aware of the blocks that our school has imposed. Like you, I have mixed feelings about them. I like Nica's reminder that when we try new things, we cannot expect perfection. When we, and our students, try something different, there are bound to be problems and failures. If we expect such difficulties and work through them, then growth can happen. The guidelines that you shared are very helpful Nica.
ReplyDeleteI am finding that often students lead the way. A good example for me is co-ordinating the opportunity for senior Tongan students to do Tongan externals. We are currently forming a group of interested students and have arranged an introductory meeting with a Tongan teacher from another school who is prepared to help students to prepare for these exams. Communicating with everyone and finding out a preferred meeting time felt challenging. Bella has already formed a Tongan group Facebook page and invited all the students who may be interested to join. The communication and decision making is happening so much more easily. I echo for both of us, "Feel the fear and enjoy technology alongside our students."