Week 5: Media Studies Blog Post

Week 5: Media Studies Blog Post

Stewart, Sarah. (March 25 2015). Picture [Online Image]
Retrieved From http://www.sais.org/news/223237/Schools-Using-Social-Media-in-Savvy-Ways.htm

 

Social Media's Relevance In The Modern Day Classroom

Technology is a huge aspect of our modern society. Specifically, social media impacts each and every one of us, especially the younger generations. Today's students, compared to my generation, are so plugged in and attached to their mobile devices, particularly engaged in social media. Thus, integrating social media into our classrooms has huge relevance for students in various grades. Students' today are extremely technologically advanced, therefore, they need to learn in a technological way in order to be successful. It's time to throw away the archaic overheads and handouts and promote a technological classroom through the use of social media. Below is a brief video stating the significance of using social media in the classroom setting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riZStaz8Rno

Cassidy, Kathy. (May 21 2013). YouTube Video [tvoparents].
Retrieved From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riZStaz8Rno

As the video above states, our schools are filled with students who have grown up with technology and grown up with the internet. Hence, technology is a tool for these students and social media is another way for students to access information and learn. Kathy Cassidy, a primary school teacher in Saskatchewan states that her students, as early as six years old can use social media such as blog sites and twitter to promote their learning.

This type of technological learning keeps students interested and engaged when it comes to school work. Social media provides various outlets for all different types of learners. Students can use videos, pictures, and writing to express their thoughts and knowledge on various subjects. As well, the excellent example of the use of blogs within our modern classrooms helps to track and record students work from the start of the year to the end. This digital record is created for each student and is always there. Thus, the excuse that a student has forgotten their homework or lost it becomes none existent. Kathy also states that the social media app Twitter allows students to connect with other classes and find out what other kids are learning. This promotes a wide outlook of learning and connections between differing classes and students.



Munson, Kristen. (2016). Picture [Online Image]
Retrieved from http://socialmediamom.com/social-networking-in-schools-yes-or-no/

Examples of Social Media in the Classroom

There are so many exceptional tools and apps that both teachers and students can use together to enhance learning within the classroom. There is still negativity that surrounds the word "social media". However, it is important to educate our students in regards to positive social media sites that help foster our students learning. For example, on the site teachthought.com there is a list of 10 social media sites applicable for both teachers and students. Such sites include: Edmodo, Wikispaces Classroom and Blackboard. Each of these sites proves that social media is relevant and prosperous within our classrooms.
http://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/technology/10-different-social-media-sites-for-education/

Similarly, another key video below promotes the importance and growth that technology has within the classroom, particularly digital media for both students and teachers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbVKPhVCRFI

Gabgorrilla. (October 20 2011). YouTube Video.
Retrieved From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbVKPhVCRFI

Curriculum Connection

In regards to the curriculum outlining Media Studies, both the videos and the article promote the use of a variety of multi-media sources that both teachers and students can use in the classroom. The curriculum states that students must use various media sources to communicate their ideas effectively. Thus, the numerous apps and websites are used by students to communicate and develop their technological skills. As well, students can work collectively together when exploring various social media apps, hence, promoting collaborative group work that can move on into independent work. Furthermore, this development promotes critical thinking and helps students to relate back to their own lives and experiences through the multiple forms of media.

Conclusion

Accordingly, it is my duty as a future teacher to educate myself on the advancing and growing classroom, tips and tricks to engage students and the constantly changing technology. Student's today are far more advanced when it comes to technology, their lives are consumed by it. The relevance of technology, specifically, the use of social media within the classroom is more important now than ever. Therefore, it is imperative to re-shape our lessons to fit each and every one of our unique students. This re-shaping of lessons and experimenting comes with the responsibility to properly educate our students on the uses of media devices within the classroom. Students are already using their devices 95% of the time while they are home. Why not educate the students on proper social media usage for their studies as well as their free time. This will then promote an exciting learning environment in which the students are always wanting to learn more.


Rosenthal Tolisano, Silvia. Poster [Online Image] Retrieved from  http://langwitches.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/social-media-for-schools_tolisano_1.png