Social Networking in the Classroom

How can teachers use/teach social networking tools into the classroom with or without a computer or device? (Provide rational about why (or not) these skills should be addressed in the classroom (examples).

I think that it is very important that teachers teach through example.  Showing students how to appropriately use social media is important for them to see.  Whether it be setting up a Google Circle for your class to collaborate on or using twitter for homework reminders, it will have a positive affect on how students view the emerging technology. 

As well, the use of this technology also opens the door for many other rich conversations relating to the safety and etiquette concerns around social media.  Weather or not the students have access to these devices or forms of social media, it is very important to teach it because it is inevitable that one day they will be using it as part of their daily lives.  Students need to know that more than ever their digital footprint is there forever and they need to make decisions that are responsible. 

In addition, the skill of posting online is becoming more and more an important factor in education and employment.  Giving the students necessary skills to effectively communicate their ideas will be just as important as their ability to communicate in person. 

For my lesson plan, I decided to create a lesson that could be used with or with out a computer or device.  I thought it would be a great way for me to challenge myself to deeper explore how this would look in a school that is not as technologically endowed or in an area that most students are not carrying devices or do not have access to technology at home.  I decided to transfer two Oral expectations (2.2 and 2.3), that focus on effective speaking, to effective blogging.  I wanted to create a link between the ways that we communicate in person to how we communicate online. 

I tried my best to create a lesson that did not require the students to use computers, but would still teach these 21^st century skills.  I also wanted the lesson to be easily adaptable to those who have the technology, therefore I used the extension activities to do so.  Overall, I feel that this lesson would be successful either way, however, I think that introducing the technology makes it even more real for the students and will really engage them.

I definitely think that these skills need to be taught in the classroom.  Social media is here to stay and it is our job to make students productive members of the online community.