Social media connects countless educators each day—here’s how to take advantage of it
Though some educators are hesitant to embrace it, social media has taken education by storm. All it takes is one look online to see the proof: educators have formed professional learning networks with fellow educators they may or may not know in person, students are connecting with one another constantly, and the list goes on.
Social media can be a valuable classroom tool, but it is one that must be used carefully. It’s probably not a good idea for teachers and students to become friends on Facebook or Instagram, and it isn’t smart to tweet a message that mentions how much you really, really don’t want to deal with students on Monday.
But with that said, social media has a ton of potential for students, teachers, administrators, and parents. When used wisely, it can have great impact.
(Next page: 6 ways social media can be used in school)
How are you using social media in your classroom, school, or district? Let us know in the comments section below.
1. Help students create impressive digital portfolios. We all know that what you do online stays online, because even if you delete a post or picture, it’s likely someone grabbed a screen shot while your post was live. But let’s take advantage of the internet’s longevity and far-reaching nature. Help students set up secure blogs or protected websites in which they can post examples of their work, write about anything that inspires them, or create other examples that showcase learning. Even young students can do this, and it will motivate students to see how their learning progresses and how far they’ve come.
2. Teach students about the “dos and don’ts” in a humorous way. Find or create funny, but valid, examples of what NOT to tweet, blog about, or post when it comes to maintaining a scandal-free online track record. Students will remember the funny examples, but they’ll also remember the lessons behind those examples.
3. Open up parent communication. Phone calls to students’ homes, or letters sent home in backpacks, are a thing of the past and aren’t always reliable. Ask parents if they have Facebook, Twitter, or other social media accounts and if they are open to receiving communications directly from you in that manner.
4. Promote your school and build your brand. Learn popular hashtags and use those in conjunction with posts about school accomplishments, events, and so on. You can use social media to connect with local businesses and community groups to form partnerships, too.
5. Let students become independent learners and take ownership of their education. Show students how they can use social media to locate resources, look up posts about current events (such as posts in favor of and opposed to an issue), and evaluate information to determine if people and/or resources are credible. Students can connect with experts in various academic fields to gain real-world perspective, and can form friendships with peers across the nation or across the globe.
6. Use social media to locate resources or professional development opportunities. Some school leaders even offer credit to educators who seek out their own learning opportunities through social media. Find out about virtual or online workshops through social media groups or hashtags, or use those hashtags when asking questions, to ensure that your question reaches a wide audience. Network with colleagues and build a professional learning network.
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