#SocMedHE15 Conference topic 1 - What are the myths about Social Media in learning? What's the truth behind them? and how do we counter them? by SocMedHE

Students don't like using their own spaces e.g. Facebook for learning.

socmedhe — 2015-12-10 19:14:39 UTC

I find this one quite frustrating as it's often repeated as a 'truth' - but we have many examples of it taking place, some autonomous, some managed by staff, so while it may once have been roughly true, I don't think is still. Aproaches are constantly changing, but the myths linger..

Personally I don't want to use my FB for work - it encroaches on my personal life, But if it were necessary, I wouldn't have a problem creating a professional one that I could manage accordingly. Perhaps students see it differently?

We DO have a responsibility though (in almost all cases) to make sure it is not mandated. Discuss on Twitter? #SocMedHEMyths

Social learning is the same as Social Media

2015-12-16 12:34:31 UTC

Myth 2

http://www.blackboard.com/sites/social/thought-leadership/myths.html

Six Social Media In Education Myths

2015-12-16 12:42:21 UTC

http://www.learnerjourney.com/blog/2014/06/10/six-social-media-in-education-myths/

Top 5 Social Media in Education Myths

2015-12-16 12:44:42 UTC

http://thinkonline.smarttutor.com/top-5-social-media-in-education-myths-edchat-recap/

All students are one social media and know more than you

2015-12-16 14:21:32 UTC

This is just wrong, plain wrong

Social media isn't a useful learning tool

bondm — 2015-12-16 14:23:50 UTC

People at this conference (hopefully!) don't think this, but some people still see it as a fun/lifestyle thing with no place in education. This conference is an excellent start in proving them wrong!

Traditional e-tools are the only way to go

2015-12-16 14:57:02 UTC

IMHO - Some people think that e-mailing is the best way. Others think that only the in-house Moodle or Blackboard are the "best" means of communicating and/or engaging students. But what about other tools? Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat? How about the collaborative elements of Google Docs or OneNote? None of these can be truly replicated within restrictive environments that Moodle, Blackboard or traditional e-mail impose due to system and/or admin constraints in place! :-) - @DustinAcEd

Social Media is about trivial things

2015-12-16 15:09:31 UTC

what celebrities are eating etc.

Students feel confident using social media

amltaylor66 — 2015-12-16 15:13:30 UTC

My research is showing that this is not always the case - that students feel unsure about the appropriateness of their online presence.

I have used David Whites work to investigate this area http://daveowhite.com/vandr/

White offers a reflective tool that enables students to think through the technologies they use and for what purpose; to explore the professional and personal boundaries that can be hard to define and maintain

Myths ... or something else?

2015-12-18 08:23:01 UTC

Just wondering whether these are 'myths' or contested assertions? Would it be fair to say that some of these, in some situations, are actually true?

e.g. Myth - "Social Media can be a distraction." Actually, unless we think through the issues in advance, have a well-articulated plan and set clear expectations for our students, then couldn't SM could actually be a distraction.

I'm @IaninSheffield and I'll be your devil's advocate for the day.