How To Use Social Media in the Classroom

Social media sites have been exponentially increasing in popularity, especially in elementary classrooms, through social media has been given a bad rap in schools.  Many argue that it eliminates face-to-face interaction, that it is more of a distraction than a classroom aid, and that there are too many safety concerns for it to function well in a classroom.  

Anne Wujick, an EdNet Insight editor, claims that beyond technology, using “social media is key to 21st century learning” as it “adds spice to topics that students typically find pretty bland.”  Social media also allows for a greater degree of collaboration, participation, and fun within the classroom.  The amount of educational, safe, and fun resources online are only growing.  My feeling is, too, that students are going to use social media outside of school anyway; why not learn how to use it safely and with educational goals?

A warning fairly given to social media users are the dangers of bullying and other red flags that can come up on sites such as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.  Here are some valuable safety lessons regarding the use of social media. Some tips that are suggested include discussing news stories that deal with the negative consequences of social media, hosting lunchtime mediation sessions in which students can discuss any online ordeals they have encountered, and hosting a parent night to openly talk about challenges surrounding social media.

Instagram: For a classroom Instagram account, students can take pictures of their own artwork, feature a student of the week, and capture field trip memories.

YouTube: Use video cameras for small group or classroom projects, then set up a classroom YouTube account which you can share with your students, parents, and future classes.  We Are Teachers offers several video projects that classrooms can try.

Pinterest: Some ideas for Pinterest include creating story boards, through pinning images that are inspiring to write about, creating a board about cool scientific or technological inventions, and creating a "Classroom" Board that is pinned with images and links to current events.