Social Networking Tools in the Classroom

     We have been told over and over as educators that we must engage and create meaningful tasks for students.  What is more meaningful and engaging to students than using the technology and tools many of them use during their free time?  Using social networking in class will engage students while at the same time teaching them how to act responsibly online.  Many students use these social networking tools outside of class without any boundaries.  They have not had anyone teach them how to create comments or how to respond to comments.  The only guide many students have is to read what others have posted.  Students will mimic what they see. Therefore, as teachers if we are to use social networking in class it is important that we model and teach students how to present themselves electronically.  There should be discussions around safety and how to post and respond to comments.  If this is done in class, students will develop an understanding of how to develop a positive digital footprint.  By using of social networking tools in class the students will be taught first hand how to use the tool properly.

Some uses of social networking in class:

Tweeting a point of view of a character - this exposes the students to multiple ideas.  These ideas my confirm or give new perspective on the character.
Blogging responses - This allows collaboration, discussion and reflection.
Pinning interesting facts or related ideas to an area of study. For example, when studying a character the students might pin symbols that reflect the character, places the character might go, clothing the character would wear, things that the character might be interested in.  This is a great way for the students to infer about the characters. 

By giving meaningful and engaging tasks the students are not only consumers of information but they are become creators of information.

How do we make students accountable and ensure that they are using the tool for the right purpose in class?  How do we ensure that the networking tool fits the task?

 

Digital Footprint - An impact on privacy, security and reputation

     As I begin my journey into my course I must also take my first steps into using social media and thus expanding my social footprint.  I have often thought of my digital footprint and thus check to see what comes up when I search my name.  I also search my children's names and found that my nine year old was linked to nine results and my four year old was linked to one result.  This was a little surprising as neither is active on the internet. 
      I was curious to find out more on digital footprints and found out that our footprints can be created through active and passive acts.  Active acts are when an individual willingly shares information and thus creating a footprint online.  Our footprint is also created through passive acts such as surfing the net.  Profile companies link and collect data on individuals to determine likes and dislikes.  The company then analyses the date and is able to determine habits, preferences, intentions and possible future behaviour of an individual.  It is important for all individuals to be aware of this in order to create positive footprints by discriminating what information is shared.
     A footprint is something we leave behind, it is like our legacy.  As teachers, we need to ensure that we leave behind a legacy that has a positive impact on students.  Our legacy should inspire, inform and teach.  Information that can do this should be shared by teachers. 
     The impact of sharing information:

• loss of privacy
• loss of trust others use our information inappropriately
• loss of reputation if information is negative or incorrect

As teachers we must model and guide students to develop a positive footprint.

 

What is your legacy?

Changing Role of Teachers in the 21st Century

     In the past, teachers were seen as "keepers of knowledge."  The teacher would share this knowledge and students would consume, memorize and regurgitate.  Today students have access to information 24/7 because of cellphones, tablets, pcs, etc.  The teacher is no longer the student's primary access to information and therefore the role of teachers must change is the teacher is to remain relevant in the 21st century. 
     To be relevant the teacher must now model and mentor students on how to share knowledge and learning.  With the availability of information, the teacher must guide students on how to access, analyse, evaluate, synthesise, create and collaborate in order to create global learners and citizens.  In order for this to happen the teacher must be willing to release "control" of the information and allow students to learn, explore, and create meaningful tasks relevant to their world.  The teacher's role should guide students to be wise consumers of information, responsible producers of content and active participants in collaboration with a global community.

Our changing students.
Follow the link to see the importance of changing the way we teach in the 21st Century.