Blog 4- Social Media
The generation of students that are attending school at this time are definitely motivated by technology. They are exposed to it daily for many different reasons. I will say that, I am still up in the air about the benefits of social media being included in the schools. I think that it could be a great aid for collaboration for students, but I also believe it could be a major distraction.
In my district we do have a website that teachers and students can use that is called, "My Big Campus". It is a collaboration tool for students and teachers, and can be monitored by administration at the school level. This would be the social media that our district uses in schools. For instance I used this website today by connecting with another teacher about a video for math. It was on her page, and we were friends, so I was able to pull it up. Very resourceful! However, I have also been in the computer lab after the fifth graders and their My Big Campus page pulls up a video of Rhianna. So again, with that being said I don't think elementary students are mature enough to handle social media collaboration.
After reading the article by, Fiehn I realized I did not know quite as much about the OPAC, Destiny Quest. I had no idea that it would allow students to submit audio, video, or text reviews. I am hoping to further explore the OPAC next week with the media specialist at my school. I think that many of my students would enjoy posting audio or video about the books that they have read.
I will also ask the media specialist I am working with about these features on Destiny. This media center uses Edmodo. It was explained to me as a FB for educational purposes. I don’t have a problem with Social Media. My son had an issue once, we talked about it, set boundaries, educated myself on parental controls and I haven’t had any issues since. You said in your post you didn’t think elementary students were mature enough for social media. These problems arose in elementary school with my son, so you are onto something there. He actually doesn’t use it much anymore. I can see where problems can arise with bullying and so forth. These are the times we live in and we have to learn how to live with these changes and stay in the loop or we will fall behind. I personally enjoy learning about all these new things.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the additional information on My Big Campus. I first heard about it from Team 1's Blog. I plan to look over this site more carefully. I am the technology teacher at my school and I understand your concern about inappropriate material popping up on these collaboration sites. I think this concern ties in with our internet filtering discussion. The majority of my students are very quick to recognize when something is not appropriate and leave the site.The information may pop-up in an advertisement on a video, as you mentioned. If you really want to try using social networking with elementary students look into Edmodo. I use it with my 3rd through 5th graders. There are also "safer" sites to find videos such as Teacher Tube and School Tube. Even I have to admit there are more choices of quality videos on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteI, like you, did not know OPAC had capabilities beyond hosting book titles and other bibliographic items. I am definitely for social media sites for adults for recreational use as well as for their potential to enhance careers. However, I do not believe students should be able to access or join all social media sites. They are too immature for some of the content that is being placed on some of the sites.
ReplyDeleteHi Shea,
ReplyDeleteI understand your concerns regarding social media, especially for elementary students. In my school, we have struggled with the BYLD (Bring Your Learning Device). There are so much that needs to be addressed which isn’t covered in my district’s “acceptable use policy”. It is the same for social media. You hate to be negative, but sometimes only those of us that are with students day to day truly understand all the ways students will abuse some privileges. The temptation is to say no, and avoid all the issues. Sometimes I feel like technology is interfering with my instruction (especially when equipment isn’t working properly), but it is true social media is a big part of many students’ lives and it isn’t going anywhere soon. I would like for districts to allow teachers to get a head start on programs before they are opened to students, then maybe we wouldn’t be so surprised at what students can figure out and do even with all the safe guards in place. I didn’t know you could use OPAC and Destiny Quest to submit audio, video, and text reviews. I definitely ask my media specialist about it.
Thanks for sharing!
Belinda