Social
networking enables individuals to connect and interact through the use of
technological applications. It allows
avenues for discussion and the sharing of information, opinions, thoughts,
ideas and emotions both globally and in real time (Greenhow, 2009). Bentwood describes social networking as the
collision of sociology and technology and suggests those who become part of a
network take on the following roles: idea starters, amplifiers, curators,
commentators and viewers (2012). He
believes the most influential roles are the first three. To effectively use social networking in the
classroom teachers must be willing to take on these three roles to further
enhance the learning of the students in their care.
The Idea Starter
The idea starter, starts and
takes part in the early stages of a conversation, but does not necessarily
continue in the conversation (Greenhow, 2009).
Teachers may use this strategy to promote dialogue amongst their
students. For example: A teacher assigns
each child in a small group the role of a character in a story or novel
(Brumley, 2012). The teacher then posts
a statement, “The Cat in the Hat was Naughty” and has the children, in role,
discuss their opinions. This exercise
may be part of a Blog or on Twitter, in real time, encouraging the children to
be succinct with their comments.
“Backchanneling” where students are encouraged to tweet about
the lesson during the lesson and “Tweetups” where children digitally discuss a
topic before an oral discussion are also methods the teacher may use as idea
starter (Brumley, 2012).
Taking on the role of idea
starter among colleagues may lead to the collaboration and sharing of ideas and
strategies, in the ‘global staffroom’ to enhance the learning of specific
concepts. For example: A teacher may post a question on a teacher
blogsite such as “Help! I have to teach ‘inferencing’ to a Year 1 class next
week in Reading. Any ideas?”. Not only would this statement encourage the
sharing of ideas but would also allow for the building, adapting and creating
of new ideas and strategies; the sharing of expertise to enhance learning.
The Amplifier
As amplifier the teacher
chooses what content to place on the social network site; quite simply the
information in learning that will have the loudest voice. “Frontloading” (Brumley, 2012) is a method
that facilitates amplification. This
method is where the teacher uploads the bulk of the information for a lesson
onto the net in the form of a video, website, multimedia presentation or
written extract posted on a blog, or wiki site, for the children to complete
before a lesson and comment on in preparation for future activities (Stansbury,
2011).
Virtual excursions, virtual
visitors such as authors and specialists, enabled by such programs as Skype,
are other strategies the teacher may use in her role as amplifier (Online
Universities.com).
The
Curator
A curator is a custodian of
cultural heritage and values. In her
role as curator, of social networking in the school, the teacher has a
responsibility to ensure that children are taught not just ‘netiquette’ but
Christian ‘netiquette’ or how to treat others as we would like to be treated
(Luke 6:31) while using social media.
Sowden refers to this as learning to be a ‘good digital citizen’ (cited
in Gardiner, 2012). Education is not
just about information; it is also about teaching children how to get along in
the social world in which they find themselves.
To instil Christian social values teachers need to purposely teach ways
to manoeuvre network sites and impress upon the children the permanence of all
forms of information placed on the web.
As curators teachers may
teach the value of each individual’s contribution and right to speech again
using such things as Microblogging and Twitter where all are encouraged to
contribute and feel safe to have their say.
Collaborative tasks that are placed on the wiki with provision for
comments and peer reviews, or links to global communities allow children to
comment on another’s work and learn to contribute constructive criticism without
condemnation; they may also promote cultural tolerance and understanding.
As curator the teacher may
also access social networking to enhance relationships between the school, the
parents and the child. Teachers can use
social networking to communicate initiatives, achievements and successes of
individuals, groups and the school. By including parents as members of wikis
and blog sites the parents may become learning partners with their children.
Conclusion
Social networking is here to
stay and it will continue to have an impact on the way we relate and interact
together as a society. Shirky rightly
states, “When we change the way we communicate, we change society” (2008, p16). How teachers choose to use social networking
in their roles as idea starters, amplifiers and curators will determine whether
social networking has a positive or negative impact on the future of societies’
children.
A great read about social networking
A link to a fantastic resource - you are sure to find something here to help you integrate social media into the classroom.
References
Bentwood,
J. (2012, June 23). 2012 Academic Summit on Social Media Stanford University
[video file]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocKhpm95Nbg
Brumley,
M. (2012). 7 Tips for Using Social Media in Your Classroom. NBC News Education Nation [Electronic
version]. Retrieved from: www.educationnation.com/index.cfm?objectid=D25A95BE-6152-11E1-8D32000C296BA163
Gardiner,
S. (2012). The Facebook dilemma: how young is too young? Sydney Morning Herald [Electronic version]. Retrieved from: smh.com.au/technology/…/the-facebook-dilemma-how-young-is-too-young-20120514-11ym6g.html
Greenhow,
C. (2009, October 2). Social Networking Sites Have Educational Benefits [video
file]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxrlrbP4UNo
Shirky,
C. (2008). The Power of Organizing Without Organization HERE COMES EVERYBODY.
New York: Penguin.
Staff
Writers. (2010). 100 Inspiring Ways to Use Social Media in the Classroom.
Retrieved from: www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2010/05/100-inspiring-ways-to-use-social-media-in-the-classroom/
Stansbury,
M. (2011, October 21). Ten ways schools are using social media effectively.
eSchool News Technology News for Today’s K-12 Educator [Electronic version].
Retrieved from: http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/10/21/ten-ways-schools-are-using-social-media-effectively/
No comments:
Post a Comment