Using Social Media in Elementary Schools
When I think of social media apps, I usually think about using them for social purposes as the name implies, but as the ways in which most people communicate and interact with the world are changing, it makes sense to reconsider using social media apps in education. Many students are inherently motivated by technology, especially when it includes technology they are using for fun or see those around them using. In addition to motivation, “social media enhances student’s communication skills; They develop a great ability to access, evaluate, maintain, and share information” (Kiiki, 2022). Beyond using social media to enhance classroom activities for your students, “social media gives you a chance of interacting with teachers and students from across the world” (Kiiki, 2022).
At the elementary level, students may not have much experience with social media. Some concerns people have about integrating social media with younger students include: “students already have enough screen time, students need to be able to communicate in person, students don’t need to know about social media at this point– it isn’t age appropriate” (Holland, 2013). But Holland goes on to refute this idea saying that students have always learned about the “social media” of the time whether it was writing letters, or how to speak on the phone appropriately.
Some examples of social media being used well at the elementary level are students sharing math stories with students in another state, collecting and sharing data about animals with students in another country, checking a daily class twitter account, and blogging during literacy centers (Holland, 2013). For those teachers who may not be fully ready to make the leap to social media online but would like to begin taking steps, Holland 2013) observed a good alternative. One teacher created a physical blog in the hallway of their school. Students posted on paper and hung their posts in the hallway for the rest of the school to read and respond to.
Students are living in a world in which they will be able to post information quickly and easily while also having access to comments and information from many sources. Teaching students early how to responsibly and effectively communicate with others using social media will better help them to use these tools on their own. I could see myself using many of the ideas shared in the article by Holland (2013- link in sources). The main obstacle at this point is finding the time to plan well for each technology; I want to make sure that I introduce and use them in a way that is enriching and motivating.
Sources:
20 Benefits of social media for students in 2022. (2022, July 15). Kiiky. Retrieved November 22, 2022 from https://kiiky.com/how-social-media-benefits-students/
Holland, B. (2013, June 18). Introducing social media to elementary students. Edutopia. Retrieved November 22, 2022 from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/introducing-social-media-lower-elementary-beth-holland
Jenna, I agree that the use of technology naturally engages and motivates students in their education. I also agree that elementary-level students would not have as much exposure to social media, which would make it more difficult to use at that level. I liked the ideas that you shared about easy ways of integrating social media into the classroom. I think when we prepare to use a technology tool in the classroom, we have to think about the best way we can use the tool. It does not make sense to use social media in the classroom if it is not effectively enhancing instruction. This was a very interesting post! Great job. Amanda
ReplyDeleteJenna,
ReplyDeleteBefore this week, I never really thought about using social media in my own classroom. I know for my district we have a Facebook page that shares announcements and what's going on within the district, I just did not think that I would use it in my own classroom. After reflecting on that, doing the readings this week, and writing my blog posts it made me realize that with just one post, you are reaching thousands of people within seconds. For my own personal use, I know that sometimes I see things seconds after they are posted, imagine the power if you are using that in your classroom. In your post that some teachers, especially at the elementary level, might not be comfortable making the jump right into social media. I think that's perfectly fine! Using a blog post, similar to what we're doing in this course, would still be a great way for students to connect and be engaged. Like you said, it's important to teach students how to use this effectively and properly. Insightful post!!
Jenna, thank you for sharing. I think students motivation definitely increases with the use of technology that they already like using for fun. I think it is also a great way to build on language skills as students have to read, write and many times speak to create and interact with content.. Like you mentioned, I worry about the amount of screen time students already have. They are becoming so much more comfortable interacting online than in person. I have had a number of students email me while sitting in my classroom. I think using social media in the classroom can be fun and engaging but I also think that it should be in moderation!
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