Social media and teaching

Ironically I began my journey with social media in education when I was out of the classroom, working as a course administrator for a professional development provider.  My motivations were twofold: to keep up with innovations and trends in education; and to use my free time (yes, I had a lot more of it) to play and explore.

Becoming social online was a slow and gradual process.  I began with Facebook, then Twitter, then YouTube, then LinkedIN, then Blogger, then Flickr, then Feedly, then Pinterest, then Google+, then ... well, you get it.

Perhaps because I didn't have a classroom to practice in it took me a while to become more than a voyeur and actively participate in conversations or write posts of my own.  Time to play and explore has been the best professional development.  It has allowed me to see and experience the possibilities offered by each different application.

Now I am back in a classroom I feel confident about using social media tools as an integrated part of our teaching, learning and reflecting.  I use the tools that will fill a need in our learning and that fulfil a purpose.  In this way I am able to model and teach social media etiquette and safety which I would not be doing if the tool was a gimmick or just for fun.

Which brings me to my choices for social media in the classroom.  I have chosen to keep some applications for personal use only (Facebook, LinkedIN, Flickr, Feedly).  These media contain more personal information or are not appropriate to my class' learning needs.  There is also an age restriction for Facebook (although several of my students have an account).

Blogger, YouTube, Google and Twitter are the media I use in class and in school.  I have found YouTube has revolutionised the way I demonstrate a concept.  We also upload our own videos to share on our class blog.  Our class blog is used as a reflection, record and launch page for learning activities.  Twitter is mainly my professional learning feed.  We do not have a class account but occasionally I'll share a useful link or conversation.  We have created Google accounts for each student in my class this year and they are very keen to use the tools.  Several students are enjoying being able to comment on their own and others' work.

The idea of being connected in school as we are at home is vital if we are to deliver relevant, real and responsive learning experiences to our students.  They already know I am not the expert on everything and through social media (web 2.0 tools) I can give them some pathways to discovering experts themselves.

Maraeroa Seniors blog http://maraeroaseniors.blogspot.co.nz/
My Twitter handle - susie2point0