Embracing Facebook

Social media networks are omnipresent.  Everywhere I turn I see Twitter, Facebook and other icons for promotion purposes.  With its steady increase in use and popularity globally, social media have certainly claimed their mark our modern lives.  So, why are they viewed as evil and taboo in the education world?  Why are many districts fighting and resisting them? At least in my school district they are banned and teachers are adamantly discouraged for having Facebook pages. 

Okay, there are those few educators that have warranted negative press due to indiscretions on Facebook.  However, I feel that my school district has completely written social media off altogether. Like everything, there should be set parameters for using Facebook.  Although there have been cases where educators did not use Facebook appropriately, there are many educational implications for using it. 

Facebook can be used to inform and educate staff, students, and the community.  Schools or districts can announce events or post new initiatives that are taking place.  Documents and links can also be shared via Facebook.  It’s a way for people to stay connected to the school and/or district. 

Facebook can also be used to engage staff, students, and communicate with the on goings of the school or district.  This is a forum for people to ask questions or voice their opinions about issues.  We all have busy lives and hectic schedules that may prevent us from attending events such as PTA meetings.  However, information that was shared at these types of meetings can be posted on Facebook for others to view and engage in discussion about. 

Another way to use Facebook positively in the school setting is by celebrating and sharing accomplishments.  Pictures, videos, or information showcasing positive things going on in the school can promote school-home communication.  For example, assemblies or award ceremonies can be posted on the Facebook page for all to see and celebrate. 

This is a link to the Homework Hotline Facebook page.  It is a prime example of how Facebook can promote communication and learning.  People can ask questions regarding the curriciclum and others can view responses and strategies.  Visitors can also tune in to watch Homework Hotline being aired to ask questions or view the program.  General information that pertains to the school district in which Homeworok Hotline serves also is posted for visitors. 

Facebook is not bad.  It’s just how you choose to use it.  I am a proponent of integrating and allowing the use of Facebook in schools.  However, as previously mentioned there certainly should be terms by which users should abide by to ensure that it is being used appropriately. 

Preparing for the future

I strongly believe that technology education should begin early.  In this “Shift Happens” video it really conveys how technology is advancing at exponential rates. The video states that “we are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist” (EvolvMyLife, 2011). This is an astounding fact which evokes questions for me such as, “how do we prepare our students for their future?” In my district the big push in our new curriculum is critical thinking and problem solving skills. By teaching students these types of skills, they can be ready to learn and adapt to those jobs that don’t yet exist. However, in terms of technology education, again I believe it should begin through early exposure and integration. Additionally, students come to school with a range of abilities and background experiences with technology.  For this reason I think it is essential to provide the opportunities for students at school with technology. We can’t predict the future, but we can aim to prepare our students with the skills they need to be successful.

The video also addresses some astonishing statistics about trends that are rapidly progressing.  “We are living in exponential times” (EvolvMyLife, 2011) and I feel that education policies and standards are not reflecting these shifts.  As educators aware of these trends, what responsibilities should we uphold to prepare our students?

 

EvolvMyLife (Producer). (2011). Did you know 3.0 – shift happens. Available from http://youtu.be/F9WDtQ4Ujn8

To wiki or not to wiki, that is the question!

Throughout my graduate studies, the topic of wikis is the center of much debate.  Personally, I turn to Wikipedia frequently to find information on a range of topics.  At dinner the other night my parents, both in their late 60’s were talking about “Googling” and turning to Wikipedia for information.  The layout of Wikipedia and organization make accessing desired information fairly easy and user friendly.  However, in the classroom I think using wikis such as Wikipedia really depends on the age group of your students.  In first grade, my students research and conduct searches for information on the Internet. However, I commonly limit their searches to predetermined websites that I have listed within a webquest or similar a forum. However, if I taught students in upper elementary grades such as 4^th and higher I would allow my students to use wikis – only after teaching them the importance of evaluating sources and how to do so.  I think wikis are a great place for gathering basic information on a topic such as dates or general facts.  Overall, it can be a helpful starting point for general information or academic research.  Richardson (2010) adds, "The early consensus among educators seems to be to tell students to use Wikipedia as starting point for their work, but not as a sole resource.”  On that note I think that using wikis such as Wikipedia takes practice and requires learning how to evaluate sources using information literacy criteria such as credibility, authority, accuracy and reliability of information.  Along with the unlimited uses for wikis in the classroom they provide students with wonderful opporunities to practice the aforementioned information literacy skills.

 
At the end of the day I am for the use of wikis in the classroom when used for the appropriate purpose and when evaluative strategies are applied.  But, this is just my opinion.  Here is Michel Scott’s take on wikis!

Welcome! Using blogger.com made setting up a blog very easy.  This is the first (but not last) blog that I have created.  The most challenging part of the set up was finding a domain name that was available! Once I did that, I found the settings and layout pretty intuitive for the novice blogger such as myself. Richardson (2010) explains that a "society of authorship" is being created, where "every teacher and every student - every person with access - will have the ability to contribute ideas and experiences to the larger body of knowledge that is the Internet".  Richardson is supporting the idea that blogs should be used in the classroom.  One way to integrate them is by having students respond to a text, experience, or question.  Afterward an initial post has been made, others can respond support or critique the post.  This fosters effective communication skills with is an important 21st century learner skill. 

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin