Social Media: The Most Useful Tool in the Shed Today

I would definitely use social media in my classroom, as well as outside of my classroom. It is important that we stick with the times-and today social media is the way forward. These are not only tools which expand and encourage learning inside of the classroom but also outside of the classroom. Obviously it is important that the teacher familiarise himself or herself with the different tools apparent on social media, and to check with the school whether it is acceptable to use these tools in these particular ways. Therefore, using social media is a way in which the learners can practice their writing, reading and communication skills in other forms online.

Blogging online and encouraging commenting is a useful tool to use, particularly in English as it will encourage creativity and effective communication which is essential for gaining and voicing your own opinion on a particular matter. I would use blogging as a tool for learners to engage in discussions regarding the themes of the lessons, and it would be useful for me as the teacher to identify whether they are on track or if they are not quite getting it. I find that people tend to open up more online, as if it has become a safe space in which to share their thoughts on the matter, and to be as imaginative and as creative as possible. However, this isn’t always a good thing, therefore there has to be particular rules or guidelines in order to ensure that the conversations remain on topic, inoffensive and respectable. Nevertheless, if the learner respects you as a teacher, and fully understand the rules of social media in which you have explained clearly there should be no issue. Also it should be made clear that if any of these rules are broken, social media will no longer be a privilege in the classroom. 

 Journal entries are also a great idea for learners to create online, providing a way in which the teacher can personally access these journals without anyone else seeing them. This can encourage colloquial or more informal styles of language online as well as getting the teacher gaining insight into the lives and individual personalities of the learners. Also, teaching learners how to access their emails and how to use them to engage in formal speech is fundamental in using communication effectively in particular situations and with different groups of people.

I would also use it to teach them how to access and engage in current events in the world, so by encouraging the use of Twitter, the ability for them to read current world events is made available. Thus, reading and engaging in current world events online will allow them to understand what is happening in the world and to conduct their own understandings, views and opinions of these. Twitter will also be a great place in which to discuss certain topics or themes discussed in class, and to communicate what work there is for them to do after class.

Essentially using social media in the classroom today can make the class more fun, exciting and engaging for the learners. Without this, the information will not be remembered and then what is the use? The teaching has to be applicable to their day and age so why not do just use it? Using social media is just another resource in order to make teaching more interesting, so whether it be for projects, communication competency, reading and writing development or simply for engaging in interesting and educative topics, I say go for it!

Teaching Life in the Age of Technology and the Internet

What do we value most about education that cannot yet be reproduced on the internet? I'm not talking about education in the sense that knowledge is just meant to be absorbed by learners in hope that they are able to pass the class test. I'm referring to teaching in which the learning is remembered long after it has been taught, whereby learners are able to understand not only that particular topic but a broader understanding as to how this topic fits into their understanding of what is important to remember.

In terms of pedagogy, which concerns itself with instantaneous, momentary and vital exchange that happens in order for learning to happen, this is what I am referring to above. It honours the experience of learning that is life-long, and that meaningful and sustained in the learners. That is what is missing in the attempt at creating digital pedagogy or even just teaching online and that is why the attempts of learning has been unsuccessful online. And for meaningful and sustained learning to take place, the teacher has to be present. Call me old school but I would prefer to be educated directly, experiencing the personality of the person who is meant to be my mentor and my guide, equipping me for tools needed for the rest of my life, I may be a tad over dramatic, but I speak from experience. Perhaps I am from a generation whereby the internet was not a part, an actual part of society, and I do realize that times have changed, I witness it everyday. I am a part of it! All I am saying is that if it wasn't for the physical presence of the teachers in my life and the way in which I was given the chance to banter, argue, joke and be educated and challenged by them, I probably would have lost all motivation to get an education. These teachers love to interact and engage with their learners directly as well, so maybe there can be a balance? Perhaps after school digital pedagogy activities by which the use of the internet can encourage further learning and understanding, but I do not like the idea of digital pedagogy online as taking over the role of teachers, because then what's the use of having them around besides the fact that they are needed to produce videos which can merely be reproduced?

Life is based on moments of experience, but experience that is physical, in the here and now and not in the world of technology. I am finding now more than ever that people are struggling to tell these two apart, and are being engulfed in a world that is not real, but a mere representation or even a distorted representation of the world in which they live. So call me old school, but the person that I am today is partly due to the memorable and meaningful friendships made during the interactions between myself and my teachers.

Goodbye libraries, hello future!

Unfortunately it's a sad truth but in order to keep up with the times and the rapid advancement of technology and the rise of social media, old methods of teaching need to be 'refined' and adapted to suit the new age. Libraries are not being used as much, being replaced by faster, more advanced ways to access the same information. The truth is that life is moving faster than ever before due to the surging and successful production of electronics and technological tools and devices .But if we include technologies, how do we make sure that these instruments do not limit the horizon of our pedagogical creativity? Teaching in itself is a hands on task, and it comes with its joys and its difficulties, but to add technology or electronics into the equation, how do we implement these tools in a way that is beneficial to our pedagogy?

To include digital pedagogy into the teaching profession it is essentially to hack the pedagogy by adapting, manipulating and making productive uses out of the given technology. But how do we do this? It first starts with the teacher and the personal realization that people today will be at an extreme disadvantage without the knowledge, experience or the use of the given technology. Although teaching itself needs to be effective and educational based without the crux of technology, the new day and age relies and expects the use of particular electronic tools to further the age of the 'rise of technology'.

For a technological context or platform to occur and to prosper, there needs to be clear guidelines and rules in order to further the knowledge of these devices for educational purposes. Learners are going to bring their cellphones and other electronic devices to class whether the teacher agrees with it or not so why not embrace the new age by making learners able to use technology responsibly? Firstly, teachers can be the examples by using their own electronic devices to add interest to the lecture, and to relate to learners who base their knowledge on what they already know in the real world: technology and social media. Secondly, where can the learners be taught how to use technology responsibly if not in the classroom? It's simple, if teachers really care about their learners, and are there to equip them for life outside of the classroom, surely the teacher will learn the relevance of technology alongside teaching and to educate them accordingly? There is always room for adaptation and manipulation in a world encapsulated by change and possibility. So instead of dragging behind, lets look beyond by learning to integrate all current methods of teaching, whether it be by using technology or by showing the learners how to use technology and social media in a way that would benefit their careers one day.

Food For Their Minds

So learning to teach is a lot different from actually teaching. This PGCE is definitely enlightening and beneficial for a future teacher but does it actually prepare you to be the best teacher you can possibly be?


The challenge I have had in these last two weeks is the constant questioning of my own abilities. I am knowledgeable and educated but am I going to be influential enough for my future learners? Do I know enough? Have I the ability to mould minds, to encourage and influence others?


But I've realised that I have been asking the wrong questions. It isn't about me and my ability as a teacher. I want to be a great teacher yes but the learning process is about the learner. It is about the individual. I need to set aside my own doubts or insecurities and focus on the lives of others. These adolescents are human beings with innumerable capabilities and I will be privileged enough to be a part of their development: whether it be intellectually, emotionally or physiologically, I will be witness to the change of perspective, minds and the growing hunger for knowledge and success.


People have the inherent need to learn, and we need to keep that in mind as educators... We can either feed their appetites so that the learners are able to thrive in all aspects of their lives now and in the future or we can starve them of what we know, through our own knowledge and experience. But to starve them of exciting and passionate learning is extremely sad to comprehend, and that is why so many schools are failing. I want to feed learners, and through constantly learning the ways of teaching and what it means to be a great teacher, I will accomplish this. Life is about the making of moments, and I want to make their schooling lives about receiving these moments whereby the lessons which are taken away are those which are to be treasured inside the learner throughout the rest of his or her life. It isn't about me obtaining a legacy, but about them learning to enjoy and treasure their moments as a learner.