Social networks and classroom teaching/learning

Social networking has become a significant part of students’ life outside the classroom and is gaining momentum. Connecting what was done in the classroom with the students’ life outside the classroom is an important aspect of classroom instruction as such social networking is expected to become a feature is increasing significance in the classroom. The internet is a fun and valuable place for children to play and learn, and the vast majority of the time using the internet is a fantastic experience for millions of children.

However, as with many things in life, there can be hidden dangers. The main dangers children and their parents need to be aware of are: cyber bullying, grooming by sexual predators and the problems of posting personal or embarrassing information online.

 It’s easy to be fearful of new trends because we don’t use them or fully appreciate how they work. What is done in school must prepare students for life outside of the school gates and increasingly this includes how to behave and act responsibly and safely in all arenas – including online.

 These are some key questions that should be asked in attempting to incorporate social networking in the classroom.

 

1. Do I know enough about social networking? The intent is that teachers should familiarize themselves with the networks so that you can know what the students are engaged in and what you are asking them to be involved in, and to make judgments on students using them.

 

2. What are the advantages/opportunities they afford? How may they be used to facilitate/complement the school curriculum?
3.  What are the disadvantages/problems associated with their use and what measures may be taken to mitigate these?
4. What programs or policies does the school have in place to support, promote and address students’ use of social networks? What does the school need to put in place?
5. How should I as a teacher use these social network and what should be our code of conduct in terms of interaction with students and parents?

 

Some measures that could be taken to maximize the benefits of their use and to minimize the associated problems

-          take time to learn about how social networking sites work

-          Understand the risk and safety issues

-          Find ways to integrate the issues into the curriculum

-          Involve parents

 

It is important that measures be taken to ensure that students use social networks in a safe and productive way. It is important that teachers listen to the students share what they do and what they think about their activities on social networks. Teachers would then be in a good position to provide appropriate guidelines and regulations.  As a word of cation to the users of social networks I Borrow from The St Augustine Catholic College (E-safety Advice)

It's also worth remembering, once something is posted on the internet it's almost impossible to remove and so personal or embarrassing material can be seen by anyone, anywhere.

As a word to the teachers I borrow from the same source:

We should not be overwhelmed by the negatives, remember the internet is a great resource for children. It's important that we give them space to explore the internet, so they can learn to keep themselves safe.