Social Media Use in Teaching and Professional Development

According to Wikipedia ‘Social media are computer-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks’.

Social media provides a range of benefits teaching and learning in the classroom. Sharples et al, (2016) stated how social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook as they provide a variety of learning opportunities to access advice from experts, defend or justify student’s opinions, and possibly amend ideas.  According to Sharples et al, (2016) the teacher’s role changes to a ‘facilitator’ where they locate suitable projects i.e. @RealTimeWW11, @NASA, or video games i.e. Minecraft, ROBLOX, then gather appropriate resources and select suitable ‘experts.’  Engagement for learning appears to be the biggest benefit for students as these social media sites create learning opportunities that are real and meaningful.  They also support creativity, collaboration and communication, vital skills for the 21^st century learner and in the workforce. Melhuis (2013) states that social media sites promote self-directed learning as students are in more control of their participation to connect with, and learn from others, in places that previously would have been inconceivable.

Kathy Cassidy (Edpuzzle video) demonstrated how simple it was to use ‘blogs’ in the classroom to create digital learning portfolios for young student which were easily shared with their families and whanau - creating a digital keepsake for years to come.  According to the Education Council (n.d.) social media provides an ideal platform for learners to communicate with parents and whanau, and the wider community.  ‘Twitter,’ another social media platform, connected students with others around the world by communicating and learning from them which also promoted genuine empathy. 

Potential challenges that teachers need to be aware of when integrating social networking platforms into their classroom practice are;

Privacy: social media sites are largely public and opinions are seen in the wider community, and exposed to an unknown audience.

Professionalism & boundaries: It is so easy to connect with people so teachers need to keep a professional distance from their students. The New Zealand Education Council agrees that social media has created some issues for the teaching profession due to its potential to blur professional boundaries.

Safety concerns: Social media can be a potential platform for harassment and intimidation as others may have different views to the ones posted, causing conflict amongst students.

Cyber bullying: This is becoming an increasing phenomenon between students who do not interact positively or respectfully in the digital world.

There are many ways that the challenges of using social media in the classroom can be addressed. Melhuis (2013) and the New Zealand Education Council (n.d) provide helpful suggestions for teachers and schools to follow, to keep themselves and their students safe: 

• ·         Have a specific reason to use social media and clear goals for students learning.
• ·         Establish clear guidelines in the school about how it should be used.
• ·         Discuss and establish expectations by everyone to ensure they understand their professional and personal boundaries, and act accordingly.
• ·         Talk to parents/whanau about why and how you are using social media for your teaching.
• ·         Seek permission from learners and parents/whanau before sharing information.
• ·         Keep parents/whanau updated and involved in what’s being shared on blogs and on-line spaces.

Sean Lyons from Netsafe (2012) supports the above suggestions and states that safety reasons should not stop teachers from using social media sites in the classroom.  He strongly recommends that teachers establish safeguards by thinking about the process, planning it, discussing it with others, communicating this all with the community and demonstrating how it will be used in a safe way.  

Although I do not use social media in my classroom programme, after reading the articles and watching the videos, I have been enlightened and inspired by the numerous benefits that these sites can provide for students, teachers, families and whanau.

References:

·          Education Council New Zealand (n.d.) Guidelines on Ethical Use of Social Media. Retrieved from https://teachersandsocialmedia.co.nz/guidelines-ethical-use-social-media

·          Education Council. (2012). Establishing safeguards. Retrieved from https://vimeo.com/49216520

·          Melhuish, K.(2013). Online social networking and its impact on New Zealand educators’ professional learning. Master Thesis. The University of Waikato. Retrieved on 05 May, 2015 from http://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstream/han...

·          Sharples et al, 2016  Innovating Pedagogy 2016: Open University Innovation Report 5. Milton Keynes: The Open University. Retrieved from http://proxima.iet.open.ac.uk/public/innovating_pedagogy_2016.pdf

·          Tvoparents. (2013, May 21). Using Social Media in the Classroom.[video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riZStaz8Rno