Social networking websites have replaced the 6:00 news as
the best way to stay on top of what is happening locally and around the world.
Although most schools block social websites such as Twitter, Facebook, and
Instagram, many use similar websites that are developed for educational
purposes. Edmodo is a great example of a social networking website that is used
in schools across the country. Edmodo is designed with user safety in mind and
it is structured much like Facebook. Student accounts are established with
minimal information that usually consists of a name and email; however, the
email address is not required. Teachers create classes and add students to the
class which enables instant messages to be dispatched in the form of text
message, email, or postings. Assignments can be submitted, grades posted, and much
more using Edmodo. We first used it a two summers ago as a way to organize a
summer reading program and communicate without face-to-face meetings.
Wikis are another great interactive tool that is growing in
popularity for media specialists across the country. Other social websites such
as Pinterest have pages dedicated to and developed by media specialists from
all over the world. A great example of this can be found at http://www.pinterest.com/slapensk/media-specialist/.
Webpages such as these are great tools when seeking ideas for creating unique
displays, bulletin boards, or developing homepages.
As part of the preparation for this blog, I was introduced to
the link http://teacherlibrarian.ning.com/.
TeacherLibrariaNing is full of current
information such as the inside scoop on newly release titles or equipment
purchases. Discussion forums make it easy for teachers and librarians to post
questions and share ideas. There are also hundreds of groups that members can
join to stay current on the group topic.
Social networking and social websites are a part of American
culture and have found a place in every facet of business. Even government institutions
are taking part in the social revolution by developing accounts such as Twitter
as a way to release information in a timely and cost effective manner. While the
education industry may appear to be slower than most to partake, it is not
entirely by choice. Internet filtering due to CIPA requirements is the reason
most schools are not active participants in social networking. For example, my
school has a Facebook page and although it is not accessible from school, it is
still used as a communication tool for staff and students. Students are allowed
to “like” the page, but are unable to comment or post content.
Social networking websites show no signs of slowing down. As
the popularity grows and new sites are developed the need for schools to
participate will increase. Shrinking budgets and lack of funds are also a
factor in the need to use social networking tools as a communication tool. It
cost nothing to post information and documents such as permission slips and
dollars are saved on postage, paper, and ink.
The uses of social networking are endless and the benefits
are great. While there are aspects that can be construed as negatives, such
hacking or equal accessibility, the future of social networking in education
appears to be a bright one. As more educational websites such as Edmodo are
developed, the demand will be too great to neglect.
Thank you for pointing out that while school budgets are being sliced and diced, social networking is a free tool to use and a great way to communicate with parents at no cost to the school. We also run a Facebook page to communicate with parents and students and have started a Twitter account this school year. The TeacherLibrarianNing sounds like a great website. I will definitely have to check that out. Edmodo, wikis, and using pinterest are also effective forms of social networking that I feel are safe and reliable for students and teachers to use. I have not spent too much time using Edmodo but it sounds like it is the way to go if you want to use social networking in the school environment.
ReplyDeleteDoes it really make sense for a school to have a Facebook presence that students can't interact with? What is shows is a refusal to engage students in a meaningful manner. Your comment that social networking has replaced the 6 o'clock news was dead on. Even though I still watch it when I can't, I get the most recent and breaking news through social networking. Edmodo sounds like a great resource. Are we sure this is not banned? I have heard that what is banned varies by district, and wiki's are not always accessible to all school. I do think wiki's are a great resource tool that could be used outside the classroom and to promote an online presence. I do think you are right, the advantages of social networking are already to great to ignore. The main advantage is that it is free, the second is that it is flexible, and third it is easily manipulated.
ReplyDeleteDelinda,
ReplyDeleteMany of the teachers at our school use Edmodo in the classroom for some of the reasons that you mentioned in your blog. At our school, we have problems with getting assignments printed due to budget restricts. Therefore, the teachers upload their assignments, rubrics, projects etc. to Edmodo. The students are responsible for printing the assignments and bring it to class. Yes, some of the students don’t have printers however they can print in the media center for .10 cents per copy. This has worked great for many of our teachers and has allowed the students to participate in a control social networking environment. Like you stressed, social networking is here to stay therefore, why not embrace it.