Social media has changed the way people communicate and share information in their personal and professional lives.  Today, students are using social media more and more from Snapchat to Facebook to Instagram to Twitter. Many teachers, however, do not recognize how big of an impact it plays on their developing minds.

Most schools do not allow students to use their cellphones during school hours let alone during class time. When students come home from a long day of learning they just want to relax and go on their accounts liking and tweeting away and not doing homework. However, this use of social media outside the classroom can lead to harmful things which can affect the student’s learning environment both at home and at school with issues like cyberbullying.  While a recent poll showed 9 out of 10 teachers do not use social media in the classroom, there are teachers who are. Social doesn’t have to be a distraction and kids can be safe.

Going through high school, I was not allowed on my phone at all during school hours. If we got caught being on it or even having it out it would be taken away until the end of the next school day. This made me want to be on my phone even more and break the school rules. It makes me wonder though what happens if something happens to a family member and my parents cannot get in contact with me because I am not allowed on my phone. Teachers need to learn how to incorporate social media into the classrooms such as using classroom hashtags or even having a class account on social media or using it for review.

Here are some links to get more information on why having social media in the classroom can be beneficial and why it has some downfalls as well.

Social Media and Reshaping the Classroom  This article is discussing how technology is already shaping the classroom in different parts of America. It provides examples of how social media can be used in the classroom in a good and productive way since many children are already on social media.

How Cyberbullying affects the classroom Even though having social media in the classroom is a good thing, there are a few downfalls to social media and one of them is cyberbullying. Teachers should be teaching students about cyberbullying and how in some states, like Pennsylvania, it is a punishable offense. The article provides an insight into some cyberbullying information and statistics and how it can be aware of in the classroom.

10 Ways Social Media Effects the Classroom This article shows the pros and cons of social media.The pros outweigh the cons as to why social media should be used in the classroom. This also shows the idea of how social media if taught properly can benefit a students future especially when they are applying for jobs later in life.

How it can lead to a lower GPA  I know for a fact when I was constantly on social media my junior year of high school my grades suffered. When my parents took away my phone, my grades improved dramatically. This article shows how social media can take away time from studying and doing school work. Students, in this case, should be taught how to manage their time between social media and doing their homework.

Social Media can affect a students future This article provides suggestions to parents that they can take to teachers or even for teachers themselves. From building a strong Personal Learning Network to teaching students to Google themselves every once and a while, these tips should be taught to students from the moment they create accounts online. What comes up in a google search of their name can affect the rest of their lives.

Suggestions to make social media a learning tool for students. This article gives tips that teachers can use to integrate the popular social media into their classrooms. While some districts may have limits on what teachers and students can and cannot access, it does not mean that the students cannot access the information from home. Many institutions are moving from paper and pencil to online sites such as Canvas and Moodle. These tips are a great way to keep the students engaged while being on social media and enjoying their “relaxing” time.

 

***I would also like to note that this post was written in conjunction with my educational psychology class I am taking here at Holy Family and it is supposed to be directed at parents.***