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FSU Fall 2019

Dana Hardy

Johnathan Williams

Michael Bull

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Specific ways to incorporate social media into your next classroom lesson:
Use Kahoot to test student learning in a less formal aspect. Use twitter to encourage class participation by asking students to tweet something specific to the material. Use core subject learning games online to give students further help with instant feedback and reflective games. Use Facebook to create a private group for discussion and content posts. use remind to remind students of upcoming assignments or events where they will receive reminders instantly. Ask students to create a blog platform to encourage freewriting and creativity. Use Pinterest to have students create boards specific to a subject, and collect various resources. Lastly, utilize news sites for current and relevant information. All of these platforms can be used for the enhancement of student learning if first received parental consent, evaluated student resources based on your class, and discussed the regulations and motives for such platform with your students. When implementing these specific tools, make sure you understand the dynamic of your class and what will best suit them for their specific learning types.

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This graph lists the top reasons teachers use technology in their classroom's. The top reason on this list is to increase student motivation to learn. Well that's very important because if your students do not want to learn they will not learn plain and simple

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This image shows the current 21st century standard classroom and how technology is embedded in most teachings. It states how 59% of students would like to use their phones to enhance their learning. From personal experience teachers have used Kahoot which students have to have a mobile device, tablet, or computer to join the game. Teachers use this method to help students study and test their knowledge.

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Using technology in a classroom gives students the freedom to surf what they so desire if not regulated. Using specific platforms, like in this case twitter gave students a chance to participate, because verbal participation wasn't required. Although risks do form when using such a platform as twitter, making sure eye contact, and questions addressed are answered will avoid or better the chances of student distraction.

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social media in classroom video - Bing video

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Social Media Revolution 2013 Best Social Media Social Media Sites Social Media Revolution 2014 Social Media Social Media Revolution 2012 Why Choose Social Media for Marketing Video About How Social Media and Its Taking Over Anti Social Media Not Being Social Is Social Media Video Social Media Digital Social Revolution YouTube

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This video is a what if scenario. In this video you see a future classroom where technology in used in almost every aspect of the classroom to help the students learn and also keep them engaged in the lesson.

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Technology in Education: A Future Classroom

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The below photo outlines general implementations of social media in a classroom, and presents statistics based on grades 3 through 12.

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Why should you use technology in your classroom?
There are multiple why teachers should use technology in the classroom but I think the most one is when you look at today's society it runs through technology. I believe as a teacher your most important job is to prepare your students for life and in today's world to do that you need to make sure your students can use and understand technology.

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This article explains how social media can be a kid friendly and classroom safe tool that teachers can use to enhance student learning within and beyond the classroom.

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Remind

Remind is a great tool that allows teachers to connect to students through their mobile device. Teachers create a group on Remind that students join with their phone number. The teacher can send text messages to groups of students without anyone having access to anyone else's numbers. It's one-way communication, not a potentially annoying group text message.

I use Remind to connect with my students after school, sending them messages about work that's due the next day or something to lift their spirits. Sometimes a silly message is the perfect thing after a long day of testing. Remind allows users to attach pictures and PDFs, so I can send documents via text in case students lost the paper copy that went home with them. Remind gives me the opportunity to keep them informed of what's going on at school. These messages are short and to the point, and the kids have said that they love getting those reminders.

Twitter

Twitter has been another great tool for sharing and connecting. When it comes to my classroom, I use Twitter to announce the day's homework and share random thoughts and ideas with students. It's also an easy way for students to ask me questions. It's important to become familiar with your district's policies about "following" students on Twitter or interacting with them through any social media site. My district doesn't allow it, so the only Twitter communication is through public mentions. If there is no district policy regarding this, you could lead the initiative to write it.

Over the years, Twitter has become a medium for students to expand their learning in the classroom. They've used Twitter to share something they saw outside of school that related to our class conversation. A student visiting Baltimore once tweeted a picture of Edgar Allan Poe's grave because we'd just completed a unit on his stories. I've also had students reach out on Twitter to set up a time to meet before or after school to discuss their classwork. As a communication tool, many students prefer it to email because of how quickly they can get a response. Twitter allows students to contact teachers and share more of their learning that happens outside of the classroom. I've also had students live tweet class discussions and our mock trial. These interactions allow students to feel more connected to the learning, and that's what teachers really want to see from their students.

Instagram

Instagram is a fun site for taking and sharing photos, and the kids love it. Some students are much more active on Instagram than they are on Twitter. I'm a pretty avid Instagram user, and students love to check out my photos. Instagram has different filters for altering the photos that you post. It's a simple and quick tool that any teacher can use in the classroom.

One great way to extend learning beyond the classroom with Instagram is to assign a learning scavenger hunt and have students post pictures of their finds with a specific hashtag. The scavenger hunt can revolve around a specific unit or theme, and students can post photos over the course of the unit or marking period. The final piece is a discussion to see how the photos connected. This is a very cool plan that lets students use a tool they're already familiar with and connect it to their learning. This isn't a graded assignment, just something fun to add another level to the classroom. The more opportunities we give students to think about the content we're teaching, the better their understanding of the material.

Blogging

Blogging is a huge part of social media. It's not just about the writing -- it's about the commenting. If students aren't connecting with others who are writing and sharing their thoughts, it's just an online journal. There's a place for journaling, but blogging offers the chance to make connections with people from all over the world. Using Twitter with blogs has been key in connecting students to conversations outside of the classroom that enhance the learning in the classroom.

One great hashtag that every teacher should explore is #Comments4Kids. This Twitter hashtag is designed to connect people to students who are blogging, and it really works. Every time I use this hashtag with my student blogs, students and other educators have left comments. When students see the notification that they have a comment, it blows their mind. They get to read the comment, respond to it, and think more deeply about what it is they're communicating. Reading and writing for their blog is no longer limited to just the classroom. They can now use their time at home to continue thinking and interacting about the day's topics that interest them. Blogging allows for powerful connections that can enhance student learning outside of the classroom.

Another way to use these tools is reaching out to students if there's a sudden cancellation in school or change in events. Michigan is one of those states where we've had to cancel school due to severe weather. Social media has connected us with our students during these times. Teachers can change assignment due dates, reschedule tests, and let kids know what will be expected of them when they return. Keeping students connected is good for everyone.

Social media allows teachers to pass along information in ways that weren't possible before. It knocks down the classroom walls and lets learning happen anywhere and at any time. It's important for teachers to start considering how they can use social media for connecting their students to support learning in a connected world.

The tools I've discussed here are only a few of many out there. Do you have a cool way to use one of these or any other social media tools? If you do, leave them in the comments sections below.

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Remind is a great tool that allows teachers to connect to students through their mobile device. Teachers create a group on Remind that students join with their phone number. The teacher can send text messages to groups of students without anyone having access to anyone else's numbers.

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In this video Dr. Derek Muller makes his point how, as technology advances, traditional methods of learning and instruction are being challenged. And he questions the audience "Can we learn a complex subject such as science by watching a video on social media? Can social media become the future medium of learning?"

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How is Social Media Transforming the Future of Education?

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This article and chart gives you research and surveys that included questions exploring faculty and student perceptions of experiences with social media as an academic resource. You learn about opportunities and challenges with social media in the classroom as well as recommendations, and incorporating the use of social media in academic work.

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Pro's of social media in a classroom:
collaboration, participation, updates, reminders, Staying connected, communication through teacher student, further assistance, parent-teacher-student on same page, easy access.
Con's of social media in a classroom:
distraction, improperly used, cyberbullying potential, anti-social, easy access, lack of monitoring, not dependable (wifi).
There are both pros and cons of utilizing social media in a classroom to educate, but with every risk taken there is a far greater positive outcome. If used properly with regular monitoring, and valid reasoning then social media can positively impact student learning. Social media, if used at all should be used in moderation in order to help grow student knowledge and impact student lives.

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This article emphasizes the fact that certain social media forums can expand learning, and incorporate it into students daily lives, outside the classroom. Social media creates more ways of communication for teachers with students directly, but safely.

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Remind

Remind is a great tool that allows teachers to connect to students through their mobile device. Teachers create a group on Remind that students join with their phone number. The teacher can send text messages to groups of students without anyone having access to anyone else's numbers. It's one-way communication, not a potentially annoying group text message.

I use Remind to connect with my students after school, sending them messages about work that's due the next day or something to lift their spirits. Sometimes a silly message is the perfect thing after a long day of testing. Remind allows users to attach pictures and PDFs, so I can send documents via text in case students lost the paper copy that went home with them. Remind gives me the opportunity to keep them informed of what's going on at school. These messages are short and to the point, and the kids have said that they love getting those reminders.

Twitter

Twitter has been another great tool for sharing and connecting. When it comes to my classroom, I use Twitter to announce the day's homework and share random thoughts and ideas with students. It's also an easy way for students to ask me questions. It's important to become familiar with your district's policies about "following" students on Twitter or interacting with them through any social media site. My district doesn't allow it, so the only Twitter communication is through public mentions. If there is no district policy regarding this, you could lead the initiative to write it.

Over the years, Twitter has become a medium for students to expand their learning in the classroom. They've used Twitter to share something they saw outside of school that related to our class conversation. A student visiting Baltimore once tweeted a picture of Edgar Allan Poe's grave because we'd just completed a unit on his stories. I've also had students reach out on Twitter to set up a time to meet before or after school to discuss their classwork. As a communication tool, many students prefer it to email because of how quickly they can get a response. Twitter allows students to contact teachers and share more of their learning that happens outside of the classroom. I've also had students live tweet class discussions and our mock trial. These interactions allow students to feel more connected to the learning, and that's what teachers really want to see from their students.

Instagram

Instagram is a fun site for taking and sharing photos, and the kids love it. Some students are much more active on Instagram than they are on Twitter. I'm a pretty avid Instagram user, and students love to check out my photos. Instagram has different filters for altering the photos that you post. It's a simple and quick tool that any teacher can use in the classroom.

One great way to extend learning beyond the classroom with Instagram is to assign a learning scavenger hunt and have students post pictures of their finds with a specific hashtag. The scavenger hunt can revolve around a specific unit or theme, and students can post photos over the course of the unit or marking period. The final piece is a discussion to see how the photos connected. This is a very cool plan that lets students use a tool they're already familiar with and connect it to their learning. This isn't a graded assignment, just something fun to add another level to the classroom. The more opportunities we give students to think about the content we're teaching, the better their understanding of the material.

Blogging

Blogging is a huge part of social media. It's not just about the writing -- it's about the commenting. If students aren't connecting with others who are writing and sharing their thoughts, it's just an online journal. There's a place for journaling, but blogging offers the chance to make connections with people from all over the world. Using Twitter with blogs has been key in connecting students to conversations outside of the classroom that enhance the learning in the classroom.

One great hashtag that every teacher should explore is #Comments4Kids. This Twitter hashtag is designed to connect people to students who are blogging, and it really works. Every time I use this hashtag with my student blogs, students and other educators have left comments. When students see the notification that they have a comment, it blows their mind. They get to read the comment, respond to it, and think more deeply about what it is they're communicating. Reading and writing for their blog is no longer limited to just the classroom. They can now use their time at home to continue thinking and interacting about the day's topics that interest them. Blogging allows for powerful connections that can enhance student learning outside of the classroom.

Another way to use these tools is reaching out to students if there's a sudden cancellation in school or change in events. Michigan is one of those states where we've had to cancel school due to severe weather. Social media has connected us with our students during these times. Teachers can change assignment due dates, reschedule tests, and let kids know what will be expected of them when they return. Keeping students connected is good for everyone.

Social media allows teachers to pass along information in ways that weren't possible before. It knocks down the classroom walls and lets learning happen anywhere and at any time. It's important for teachers to start considering how they can use social media for connecting their students to support learning in a connected world.

The tools I've discussed here are only a few of many out there. Do you have a cool way to use one of these or any other social media tools? If you do, leave them in the comments sections below.

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Remind is a great tool that allows teachers to connect to students through their mobile device. Teachers create a group on Remind that students join with their phone number. The teacher can send text messages to groups of students without anyone having access to anyone else's numbers.

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The article below lists several ways a teacher can correctly and in positive manner use social media in a classroom.

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This video is about how the use of technology in the modern classroom is important. This video talks about how in today's society many of the students use technology on a regular basis and enjoy using technology so it will keep them engaged and interested when applied to the classroom. The video also mentions how students will need the knowledge of how to use technology in today's workforce and society so by using it in your classroom you are helping to prepare your students for life.

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The Importance of Technology in Classrooms

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This article talks about the multiple reasons using social media can be useful and beneficial for the students.

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Social media technology in the classroom sites like Facebook and Twitter have been a prevalent part of our society for some time now, and it's no secret that they are here to stay. While some teachers may frown upon using social media technology in the classroom, others say that it can actually be useful for educational purposes. Here are a few reasons why teachers like to use social media technology in the classroom.

Social media has the ability to increase knowledge in a matter of minutes. By simply scrolling through your newsfeed, you can get updates on the latest current events and news. You can also easily search for relevant information by using hashtag #news. The ability to get timely updates is what makes social media so great. Many teachers have found that using social media sites in the classroom is an effective and quick way for their students to increase their knowledge about current events. As long as you set some boundaries, and show your students what it can and cannot be used for in the classroom, it can be an effective way to increase knowledge.

Improves Communication between Parents, Teachers, and Students

Social media has the ability to keep parents, teachers, and students on the same page about what's going on in the classroom. Teachers can easily post homework assignments, upcoming project dates, and school event information to their social media page. Long gone are the days where you have to sit and wait by the phone to get a reply. Teachers love social media because you can easily communicate with parents and students in an instant. Sites like Facebook and Twitter make it easy to instantly provide feedback, ask a question, comment, or private message someone.

Allows Students to Get Help from Others

Social media sites can be useful for students to get help from their peers or other relevant experts. If a student has a question about their homework assignment, all they have to do is post their question and ask for help. Students can also ask an expert by tweeting or posting to a Facebook page. Social media also gives students the ability to private message the teacher or post a specific question to the teacher on their wall. When students do that, other classmates can see the question posted on the wall, and chime in which is a great way to get the discussion started and get feedback from one another.

Can Encourage Student Participation

One of the great things about using social media in education is that it encourages students to participate, especially for those shy students who don't like to verbally talk in class. Social media can help make these types of students more confident in speaking their opinions so that when they are in the classroom they will feel comfortable sharing their ideas. Social media also makes it quite easy for students to collaborate with one another. Students can work on school projects or group assignments from home and easily contact one another via social media to work on their task.

Has a Variety of Engaging Features

Every social media site has different features that can help their users to do different things. For example, Twitter and Instagram are known for using hashtags. When students are using these sites and want to search for something specific, all they have to do is use a hashtag. For instance, if students were working on a project about Rosa Parks, they can use the hashtag #Rosaparks to find out specific information about her. Facebook has what they call "Groups" or "Pages" where you can join or like to find out more information for your project. These unique features are what makes social media so much fun and engaging for students.

If you are still on the fence about whether or not you want to introduce social media into your classroom then you have to think about it like this. Technology is here to stay, and you can either embrace it or not. As long as you set up filters that prevent students from posting or looking at profanity, then you can embrace the positive aspects that social media has to offer your students.
What's your take on social media technology in the classroom? Are you for it or against it? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below, we would love to heart your take on this controversial topic.
Janelle Cox is an education writer who uses her experience and knowledge to provide creative and original writing in the field of education. Janelle holds masters of science in education from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. She is a contributing writer to TeachHUB.com, TeachHUB Magazine, and Hey Teach. She was also the Elementary Education Expert for About.com for five years. You can follow her on Twitter @Empoweringk6ed, on Facebook at Empowering K6 Educators, or contact her at Janellecox78@yahoo.com.

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Technology in the Classroom: Reasons to Use Social Media

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Social media technology in the classroom sites like Facebook and Twitter have been a prevalent part of our society for some time now, and it's no secret that they are here to stay. While some teachers may frown upon using social media technology in the classroom , others say that it can actually be useful for educational purposes.

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The below link illustrates the validation social media gives students, and explains the idea of integrating it into a classroom through different platforms.

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Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.