Question one asked to identify at least two ways that social networking and/or social bookmarking can be used in the classroom for collaborative purposes. Below are some ideas that I collected during my research on this topic.
1. During a research paper they can bookmark different informational sites that will help their group when they start putting the project together.
2. On a much lower elementary level it can be used to model how to sort and organize information. How to create folders in favorites and how to label different websites so you know how to find them at a later date.
3. Getting kids to read. They can read and record their reading on computer and post it for other students to respond or for them to see the visual as well as hear the auditory aspect.
4. Create a sense of community in the classroom by doing some type of project before school year starts on the computer and posting it to a class blog so everyone can get to know everyone.
There was an awesome website that I came across when I was researching this question. It gave me a list of 101 ways to integrate social networking in schools. The website is listed below:
101 ways to use social networking in a classroom
Some other ideas I obtained from this site that would be a good way to integrate social networking in an elementary classroom would be:
1. Collaborate with pen pals from anywhere in the world. Which could also expand learning opportunities.
2. Create a class website where parents can view homework assignments, students can access educational games and information and classmates can answer questions as part of a homework assignment.
3. Create book reports.
4. Track number of books read.
5. Brainstorm about projects or topics.
6. Share book reviews.
7. Use Skype for an author visit during a unit on author studies.
This link discusses a program called Student Talk which is an educationally monitored social networking program that could be used in schools.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIcK-Ga07B4
Question two was regarding what a teacher's professional online presence should look like and how should teachers separate their online professional lives from their online personal lives?
This question is tricky to me because I am torn between teachers being allowed to have Facebook accounts and the rules and regulations that accompany having an account. Our school has told us that it is in our best interest to delete any parent from our school that is our friend on Facebook. I agree and disagree with this. I have tried to hide my pictures so that only my friends could see, and yet a parent who I am not friends with commented on my wedding pictures. I also disagree a little with this regulation or suggestion because I was friends with someone in high school, so for the last 8-10 years I have been their friend on Facebook and now I have her son in my class and I am asked to delete her. I just think that there has to be a way to keep friends like that and coworkers who have children in our schools and still maintain a professional relationship.
I know I don't post pictures of my nights at the bar anymore and I am aware that at one point in time I did and those pictures are still on Facebook. However, I feel parents should monitor what they show their child regarding my Facebook page. Also, I feel it violates my first amendment right to be told how to manage my Facebook account. It did have a benefit too when a parent was trying to get in touch with me and I responded almost immediately to my Facebook and not as quickly to my work email. This is because my notifications pop up immediately on my iPhone.
This You Tube Video makes me wonder about personal social networks and the importance for keeping them professional.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n2MxixHOdE&feature=related
During my research I did find a great website that I have currently set up an account with that seems to be a good way for teachers to communicate and share ideas. The website is: Educators Connect. It is simply used between teacher and teacher and not meant for parent/teacher communication.
This would be a great resource tool for teachers. I also think teachers need a professional website for parents and students to access instead of Facebook. In closing, I think that social networking needs to be looked at as a positive rather than a way to incriminate teachers.
Reference
Smith, F. (2011). How to Use School-Networking Technology for Learning. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/social-networking-how-to
Mallory, I loved your ideas on using social networking in the classroom. The website, epals, and using skype for an author visit are great ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. Using epals is not only a form of letter writing, but the students will be learning about new people and new places. Thanks for sharing that article on how to use social networking in the classroom. SInce taking this class, I have been trying to incoporate technology into my lessons. I recently set up a classroom blog where students can write their responses to text. I'm hoping that it motivates them to want to write not just for me, but for their peers. As far as facebook, I consider myself to be a "facebook stalker". I rarely post anything, and if I do it's about my personal life and not my professioanl life. I don't think that social networking is an outlet to vent about our profession or talk negatively about students. Our principal has not put any rules or regulations regarding social networking. I think she trusts our professional judgement. I am not "friends" with my students either, even though an article we read recommends it as a way to connect with students. I think we really have to be careful. The video you posted is a good example of what can happen when you are not careful. I understand the dilemma with the right to express ourselves through social networking and how it effects us because we are teachers. This is a very good discussion to have with colleagues, as many of my friends who are teachers choose not to facebook for many of the reasons we read about. They are afraid of how something they say may be taken out of context. Thanks for sharing your ideas and videos.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great website 101 ways to use social networking in the classroom. I loved the idea that suggested that kids to make a Facebook page for a character in a book. I teach 2/3 so my students might be a little too young for that but I think it is something that a teacher in 5th grade and above could use. I think since most kids already know how to use Facebook, it would be really fun for them not to mention it would require them to think critically and make inferences about a character.
ReplyDeleteMy principal has not set any guidelines about Facebook use for staff members. Although in a way I wish she would. Every single year I have parents friend request me and I always decline their friendship. I feel that if there were some sort of rule in the parent/student handbook about this then maybe it would stop happening. Or at least it would help parents understand why I do not accept their friend requests. Also, now that I have been teaching for 5 years, I am starting to get friend requests from former students! It would be nice if there were some guidelines for students, teachers and parents regarding this matter. I say this because I believe First Amendment Rights have been violated in some cases. If there is something I want to say, it is nice to know that no parents or students will be able to see it. At the same time I do not mention work in a negative light on Facebook because I do not feel it is the appropriate venue.
Mal- Thanks for the great understanding of the social networking! Now I have a much better understanding, and appreciation for the tool. The link to 101 ways to use social working was great because I was able to think about which ways I would use it in my classroom. If we had access to computers at my school I would love to use the reading log bookmark for students to post the books that they're reading not only at school, but at home. My students are required to complete a handwritten reading log at school and at home and it is such a hassle reminding students to complete this. I think if we were able to do online reading and complete the log online through an open bookmark, my students would be more willing to complete it!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_KF7TYKVc&feature=player_embedded
I found this video when I was researching social networking and I thought I would share it!
Also, I have to agree with your stance on professional online networking. Social networking is a way that we communicate as humans and we should be able to use Facebook if we so chose. I to have a Facebook account, which I do have to monitor at times because of pictures and comments. However losing the account due to the fact that I am a teacher would be a huge disappointment because I use it to keep in touch with friends from high school and college that I don't get to see a lot or ever anymore!
As far as adding my students parents.. I think I would be less likely to add them! Already this year I had a student ask me if I had Facebook and when I said "Yes, why?" she responded, "Yah, I know. My mom looked you up! I saw your boyfriend." And I was thinking to myself.. oh, great, and what else did she see?! But, nothing came of it and I think that has made me re-think the pictures and comments I post online. At the same time, it is our right to have a Facebook account, so as long as we are keeping in mind, like you said, of not posting pictures of when you're at the bar then we should be okay!
You have 2 ideas in here that I LOVE! The first thing you mentioned about creating a sense of community in the classroom by having students blog about an assigned project before the school year began is so cool. It would definitely help students get to know each other, and feel more comfortable coming to class on the first day. No one likes to feel like they don't have a familiar face to look for on the first day. The only modification I might make would be to have students work on some sort of a project like this during the first week of school. This way, they have definite access to the technology, and are more likely to read and reflect on classmate's postings.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you mentioned blogging as a way of increasing student investment in reading. Students could be responsible for posting minutes read, titles, summaries, etc. This is a great way to incorporate new literacies into the every day classroom.
We definitely need to find a way to embrace and incorporate technology, because we all know that Google is making us stupid! http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/6868/
Hi Mallory,
ReplyDeleteI loved your response to social networking and bookmarking. The ideas that you provided along with the website of 101 ideas are very useful. As a new literacy coach at my school, i am working with our librarian to incorporate technology into the curriculum. Clinton Ave is fortunate to have a beautiful computer lab and the teachers are eager to find new ways to use technology in a more productive way. I found the information about "101 Ways" to be an excellent resource. The fact that kids can share and collaborate in a positive way is refreshing. I also think that children are motivated by the use of technology but at times it can be misused. I liked the idea of building a community of learners as well as involving the parents. Awesome post...I can tell that you put a lot of effort and time into it.
In response to the other question about Facebook. Well, you know what I think about it because mine was hacked. It proves that anyone can see your personal information. Pretty scary thought! I realize that teachers are people and they want to instantly share personal information with friends and loved ones but they must be careful and make the right choices as to what they share. We all know the bad wrap teachers get even when nothing wrong has been done. Teachers always get the blame.
I guess I am old school about the subject because of my generation. I don't want to offend anyone but in my opinion,it's silly,a waste of time,and can ruin lives and relationships.