Social Media Plan For the Classroom By: Dawn B. Whitten CUIN 6320 Summer 2012

Pros of using Social Media Currently, the two most prominent Social media interfaces are Facebook and Twitter and today’s students arrive on campus, fluent in Web and social networking technologies. So, educators can take advantage of using this knowledge to enrich the learning experience. With the help of social media, instructors can exchange ideas and boost student interaction. Students who are too shy or fearful in class may feel more comfortable expressing themselves on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. Professors can establish back channels via social networking platforms to help such students. http://www.thegeeksclub.com/social-media-helpful-educational-tool-distraction-college-classrooms/

Cons of using Social Media Students can use proxy servers to access unsuitable resources such as gaming and explicit material. Overuse of social media or its addiction may prevent students from developing well-rounded personalities. Students may access harmful websites which may  distract them from the primary focus of the lesson. http://www.thegeeksclub.com/social-media-helpful-educational-tool-distraction-college-classrooms/

Internet Safety Student safety is the number one priority when dealing with the internet and making global connections. Simply denying access to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter is no longer strictly appropriate, however. Instead, teachers need to decide how to best teach with social media while working within internet safety policies. http://www.goedonline.com/cyber-policy-and-internet-ethics

Internet Safety Stay as anonymous as possible. Be purposeful when creating user names, screen names and email addresses. Be very aware of chat rooms and the people that come and go from these rooms. http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/safebasics/internet_safety.html#

Cyber Bullying Cyber bullying refers to cruel or bullying messages sent to you online. These might be from former friends or other people you know. Students need to clearly understand the school’s definition of cyber-bullying in all of its online and mobile forms, and they need to know what the serious ramifications are for any breach in your school’s cyber policy. http://www.goedonline.com/cyber-policy-and-internet-ethics http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/safebasics/internet_safety.html#

Social Media Tools to Use The purpose of social media in the classroom is to help students connect with each other and the content. Most tools have their place. Tool should be selected to enhance the objectives of a lesson. Students can have choices. Students need clear expectations about content and use of technology.

Tools to Use In the middle school setting the tools I have used most often are Edmodo and Ning. Both of these have a few more parameters built in than facebook or twitter. I have used these in both the classroom and with extra curricular groups such as student council. Great for announcements and student discussion.

Get Creative Teachers can incorporate the spirit of technology even when the technology is not available. Example: This past year I had each of students make a facebook page for an element. They did this on paper but it included all the major parts of a facebook page. Students included friends, likes, hobbies etc. Students were very creative.

Basic Social Media / Technology Plan Make technology an integral part of the classroom environment. Make sure technology is used in a thoughtful and purposeful manner and not just for the sake of using technology. Teach students about all aspects of internet safety.