I was asked to respond to the following question.
"How can teachers use Social Media in the classroom as both, part of the instructional approach in teaching as well as helping students understand the online web 2.0 environment?"
How can they not??? It’s 2015, isn’t every teacher at the very least faced with a Social Media message in some way every day? Think about its definition.
According to Wikipedia…”Social media are computer-mediated tools that allow people to create, share or exchange information, ideas, and pictures/videos in virtual communities and networks.”
I don’t think there are many school boards (I’m thinking about Ontario) around that don’t have an email conferencing system. Teachers have resources and messages at their fingertips 24/7. They are provided by colleagues, administrators and board officials. Every staff meeting and workshop I attend incorporates advice or examples or visuals or models or statistics or links to someone else’s idea for our instructional approach in teaching. Even if a teacher doesn’t follow up on any of these opportunities there is still a very high likelihood that Social Media infiltrates its way into their classroom anyway! They know about world events, weather, latest trends etc. through shared information. And they pass this on to friends and students daily.
An informal survey was conducted at my school in the fall and every teacher that participated was using Social Media in some form for personal use. By association, teachers are going to reference or mention or share information in their teaching that was found ‘on the net’ whether purposefully or not.
So that would be one far end of the continuum. I would argue that even a teacher that ‘looks’ like they are not using Social Media IS using Social Media! And along the rest of the line are teachers that embrace and model these tools from lightly to tightly. It seems to be a one way street along this continuum. I have yet to meet a teacher who, for example, after learning about “the Twitter”, says to me, “There’s no need for students to know about this!” In fact, it is usually with some amount of resignation that a teacher will sigh…..”I know, I should be doing more…..” We are all moving in the same direction.
So back to the question at hand, “How can teachers use Social Media?” I’d say they should use it honestly, openly, and at their pace. The most important thing is to acknowledge to their students when they are using it. If they heard that there was a tornado in a country half way around the world because twitter reported it first, then they should tell their students that’s how they know. If they finally figure out how to “Skype” with an author and its exciting they should share that feeling with their students.
It’s not the individual tools they use but the attitude toward using them that counts. There are endless ways to teach with Social Media and endless information to share with students about the Web but there is only one impression students will take with them. Can their teacher help them use Social Media or not?
How do you create a school culture where teachers are using social media respectfully? Many schools -including my own, have many teachers who are attending to their phones while students are at their desks, responding to phone calls or texting across the room during staff meetings. Is there a way to best model the use of twitter or mobile technology that shows students how to still engage with their present environment? How do you get teachers to cooperate?...
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole, thanks for the question. I've been thinking about this one for a few days and kind of surreptitiously keeping my eyes open and observing folks around the school. I'm not gonna lie, that was weird! However, it was also very interesting. I'm quiet impressed (again) with my school, they seemed only to use their devices for personal use during breaks or planning times out of sight of students. I am fortunate to have an admin that has always emphasized in a positive manner, when and why to use your phone etc. In fact our VP will come into a class on a cold day and google the wind chill to show it to a classroom of students. I also personally demonstrate appropriate use with teachers as much as possible. The best way, I think, is to explain to a class with the teacher in attendance, when they might see a teacher with a device. I visit classes, as our school technology contact, with mini lessons occasionally and this has certainly been a topic. I always get the teacher to confirm the message I give to the class. At staff meetings, it is once again at the hands of the admin. If its well worded people will be respectful. Hope that answers you a bit!
DeleteFantastic Post. I know, as a teacher with the WRDSB that you are exposed to social media and technology infused teaching and learning often. However, do you see these tools as being part of mainstream? In my Junior ABQ course, at least 1/4 of the teachers indicated they felt that there is no place for these tools or methods in the classroom, and most cited instances of inappropriate use, or behaviour. What would be your response? How do you use your knowledge and understanding, as you stated in your blog, "how can we not", to inspire others to model and teach these skills, if not for anything else, but to keep kids safe?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your questions Zoe. I was tempted to answer quickly but decided to step back and look around my school a bit. I was originally 'horrified' to hear about the 1/4 teachers and their reasons for not using technology. But then I'm very lucky to have had time, resources and a supportive admin to foster an environment of positive and growing use of technology. My school has an active technology team of teachers with good representation from all divisions. We focus on getting technology into student hands, and offering support for teachers. We are geographically spread around the school. We have a presence at staff meetings. We try to make our lab inviting. As well we keep iPads and Chromebook stations in teachers classes partly so that other teachers have someone to talk with when they are thinking of 'signing' out something. It is incredible how many mini-lessons I have given at my door. I always find a way to share success stories either formally or informally. I would have to say that the negative stories and the resistance have lessened over time, defeated by positiveness!
DeleteI so agree on your comment ...How can we not? ....I can't count how many times I have felt that. Not that I am the most computer savvy person around but.....As a caretaker cleaning in the schools in the mid nineties, I was the most computer savvy. I was a struggling student and needed to know my way around the computer. Many times I would "rescue" a frantic teacher and explain to them how all their work was going to be easier ..... One particular teacher wanted no part of it...it was all a ploy to put more workload etc.....the attitude has always been present.
ReplyDeleteWe must still be the role models, that part of teaching will never change, we need to show restraint and not check personal things on the teacher clock. They need to know you have respect for what is important.