Journal 3: The Case for Social Media in Schools

Kessler, Sarah. "The Case for Social Media in Schools." Mashable. N.p., 29 Sept. 2010. Web. 16 Oct. 2015

http://mashable.com/2010/09/29/social-media-in-school/#cKC6NqjgJGq2

Kessler starts her article by stating that “Social Media is Not Going Away.” She discusses how the internet has grown, and initially schools refused to allow the use in the class room, however times have changed and “its better to be on the cutting edge” and incorporate social media into education. She discusses that kids learn better when they are engaged, and discusses using blogs for writing assignments, much like this one, as a way to encourage writing as students see writing blogs as “playing” and “fun.” There is, of course, the concern about exposing young students to the internet, predators and other dangers, but Kessler suggests using kid friendly sites suck as www.kidblog.com which is a blogging site developed for children that requires teachers to have key and codes for the students, keeping everyone safe. She discusses ways to use social media for education, rather than mindless browsing, by suggesting students commend on presidential speeches and make videos about sustainability and states that they found that children spent 4-5 less hours on facebook when such assignments, although not graded, were available. Such assignment also encouraged students to collaborate, work together and develop bonds with students who were not in their normal friends ciricle. She discusses using text messaging to help wake chronically late students, to remind students about assignments and send out educational pearls. She ends her article by stating that there are dangers on and off line and that “The teachers and parents who embrace social media say the best way to keep kids safe, online or offline, is to teach them.”

I think that Kessler brings up some great points, she discusses the fears behind social media, as well as ways to incorporate it into educations. Regardless of who is using social media or why, we have to always protect ourselves. Professional and students alike can get into trouble based on what they post to their social media, think of the dentist who recently shot a lion in Africa, he has now lost his dental practice because he posted a photos of him next to his illegal kill. However, I think that when social media is used correctly it can help provide education to the students that are already going to bet checking their twitters and facebooks--small education facts 2-3 times per day add up, and quickly!

Q1: Do you incorporate social media in your student’s education, why or why not and how?

A1: Yes! I think social media is a great way to educate in a fun and non-traditional method.

Although I am involved in teaching adults, so there is less worry about the dangers. But currently we have a twitter account (@UCIrvineEM) that we tweet out education pearls, we also have a resident run blog that posts interesting visual diagnosis images!

Q2: What scares you most about using social media in your classroom?

A2: I work with adult learners, so social media doesn't really scare me, they are consenting adults and can participate at will. I also don't have to worry so much about predators. If I worked with children I think closed accounts, like kidblog would appeal greatly to me, it offers the benefits of social media but without the fear. 

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