Unlocking Education: Harnessing the Power of Social Media + Smartphones in the Classroom
In today's day and age, there are very few ways to avoid technology. Technology has revolutionized the way we live, work, learn, and operate. The use and integration of online learning platforms has really opened up a whole world of possibilities for students and educators. While these tools open so many doors and experiences, I feel that they often get a bad wrap. Whether parents and teachers find it to be a distraction or crutch, I feel that with purposeful and thoughtful use, we can utilize this powerful tool to enhance learning. This blog post will look more at the use of social media, online learning and how smart devices can be these enhancements in the educational experience.
Social Media
We are undeniably in the age of social media, where students and kids are using various platforms for entertainment, communication, and other reasons. Platforms such as twitter, instagram and snapchat have become integral parts of our daily lives. If we can strategically incorporate the use of it in class, we can foster an engaged and collaborative classroom. We know that kids are using these platforms, so why not include them and create fun ways to appeal to what they are already into. Using these platforms to create private groups and threads where students can post and read on a shared discussion post helps create that community beyond the school walls. Peers can ask and answer questions, outside sources can be linked, and instructors can monitor and interact with students as well. I am a big fan of including the use of social media in an age appropriate manner because it really does help prepare students on how to navigate these platforms in a safe and responsible way. This is something that they will inevitably come into contact with in the workforce and is a skill that can be taught.
Social media enhances classroom discussions. Here's how teachers can use Twitter, Storify and Padlet to engage students in class discussions
Final thoughts from Ms.D regarding Life online
Online learning has become a new norm. Growing up this simply was not an option. The technology and resources available now have made learning accessible across spaces, more flexible for individualized and tailored lessons and assignments, and allowed for easier access to diverse learning tools and platforms that engage learners in a variety of ways. I think it is crucial to strike a good balance when using these tools. As an educator, my goal is to encourage collaboration, provide flexibility and this is also essential in our rapidly evolving digital world!