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!