Ms.

Rafterys Social Media Statement

Social media has infiltrated many aspects of daily life for our society. The
way many of us keep in touch with friends, how we receive our news, where we save
pictures and memories have all changed with the rise of social media. Many
students today are growing up using
social media for all of these purposes
and many more.
In many schools, social media
outlet access is limited, if not blocked
completely. As a result, students are
often left to learn about these social
media platforms on their own.
However, if not addressed, online safety
may be an area that is not considered
for some students, which can have
lasting repercussions. Davis (2015)
argues that social media can get
someone fired, hired or forced to retire faster than any other form of writing. Many
employers and college admissions offices look
https://tinyurl.com/lo9d66w
into a candidates social media presence before
considering them for a job position, or accepting them as a student at their college.
Cyber-bullying can also leave lasting impressions on students relationships and
self-esteem.
Therefore, as an educator, I believe that it is important to teach students how
to use social media in a safe and responsible manner according to the policies of
the school district. Rather than taking a reactive approach by avoiding references to
social media completely until it creates a problem, I believe that taking a
proactive approach can prevent problems that may arise on social media
before they start. Making social media tools available for use in school allows
students to learn about social media platforms in a controlled setting. Manno
(2013) encourages a B.Y.O.D. or Bring Your Own Device policy, allowing students
to use their phones or other devices as a resource for learning in school, rather than
as a simple distraction. I also believe that it is important to teach students good
netiquette early, and allow them to apply these skills online, rather than keeping
these platforms off limits completely.
In addition, social media can be incredibly engaging and motivating to
students. Halla (2015) states that allowing students to interact with their own
devices in schools for educational
purposes gives students a sense of
responsibility for their own learning.
Social media allows opportunities to
engage in authentic activities that
connect to the real world outside of
school as well. Social media offers
many unique ways to connect with the
https://tinyurl.com/lpcnaf5
world that would be difficult or
impossible otherwise. For example,
students can write to and even talk
with pen pals from across the globe, and learn about another culture from the
perspective of fellow students who are living there today. This possibility would
have been almost impossible even twenty years ago.
Social media enriches student learning by providing access to a vast variety of
ideas and experiences beyond what can be found in a traditional textbook. These
authentic real life interactions have the potential to create a lasting impression
that will stay with students for the rest of their lives. By working with students
interests and methods of communication rather than against them, educators can
connect with students in new ways and inspire further learning.

References:

Davis, V. (2015) A guidebook for social media in the classroom. Edutopia. Retrieved
from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/guidebook-social-media-in-classroom-
vicki-davis

Halla, K. (2016) Deeper learning through technology: Using the cloud to

individualize instruction. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

Manno, M. (2013) New media in the classroom: Technology & social media as
effective teaching tools. Teacher Tube. Retrieved from
http://blog.teachertube.com/teachertube/new-media-classroom-technology-
social-media-effective-teaching-tools/