Month: October 2018

Social Media and Education Blog #3

by iTeachWorldWide

Today, almost every students is seemingly born onto a social media platform.  Many students have never seen the world with out social media.  After reviewing the article, “How We Use and Are Used by Social Media in Education“, I agree with so much concerning this generation and social media, specifically in terms of its us in school.  Today, I have not used social media exactly in the classroom yet, variations of it that fit.  For example, YouTube is not the typical social media platform that comes to mind when someone says, “social media” however, it is a social media platform for music.  I use this in many different veins through the day.  From using music to set the mood in the room or to watch educational videos, it is used heavily.  I could see a version of Facebook or Instagram being used in a less public manner within the classroom.  Particularly, with secondary students.  Having a conversational and functional online platform like Facebook could really engage students.

Many of the social medias used in schools are usually google, or YouTube.  Many times, typically Facebook or Instagram usage is not used too often with class.  However, sometimes teachers have used Twitter to connect in various ways to engage students as well.

Concerns with these technologies are partly what I mentioned earlier. Most concerns parents and even students have with the use of social media in education is the privacy you have when using some social media tools.  Safety is the number one concern with accessing social media and different social media platforms. Once safety concerns are eschewed, there are not many other heavy concerns associated with social media in the classroom.  One last thing may be the appropriate use of the social media platform.  Our students using it for the intended purpose of class or our they simply surfing through the site.

I believe churches have tapped into the use of social media to engage their congregations more and more.  I think this is a smart and relevant for the times.  I have been able to access my church services and announcements all from Facebook.  This is something that has changed the church across the world.  Any service can be made accessible to share the good news of Jesus.  This is something no one should question.  Social media definitely can have negative aspects and some major cons however, it has been doing just as much good, if not more.