How One School District Finally Embraced Social Media (Sort Of) Social media sites are blocked in Springfield IL schools.
For now. Thanks to a progressive new approach to social media, the district is consulting with teachers and administrators to figure out the best way to use social media. An article on the State Journal-Register has all the details but here’s the 30-second version of what the new guidelines will entail: - Teachers are discouraged from sharing personal information with students or “friending” them on Facebook. - School district employees would be required to register district-affiliated sites with the building administrator. - Registered sites should be “walled-off” from any personal sites, meaning students should not have access to any part of a teacher’s personal site. - Teachers are not allowed to post personal information about students. - Teachers are not allowed to advocate against school district policies or curriculum.
What It Means Article image illustration by Roy Wieman via EdWeek. EnhancED Facebook in the Classroom. Perhaps you've heard of Facebook.
According to TechCrunch, it now accounts for 44% of social sharing on the web, and its precocious founder, 26-year-old Mark Zuckerberg, was TIME Magazine's 2010 Person of the Year. You may already have a Facebook account. Your students undoubtedly do, and they might even be using it during your class. Should you meet students "where they are"? Does Facebook have a more formal place in your academic life? The answers aren't so simple. What is Facebook, really? The "face book" of yore was a printed and bound directory of students' photos and contact information. If this description hasn't scared you off, perhaps you're thinking about how these features might benefit you. Before we give up on Facebook, however, it might be helpful to review some pros and cons: There are undoubtedly others. 100 Ways You Should Be Using Facebook in Your Classroom.
Facebook isn't just a great way for you to find old friends or learn about what's happening this weekend, it is also an incredible learning tool.
Teachers can utilize Facebook for class projects, for enhancing communication, and for engaging students in a manner that might not be entirely possible in traditional classroom settings. Read on to learn how you can be using Facebook in your classroom, no matter if you are a professor, student, working online, or showing up in person for class. Note: Check out our updated version of this article for even more suggestions on Facebook in your class. Class Projects The following ideas are just a starting point for class projects that can be used with Facebook in the classroom. Follow news feeds. Facilitate Communication An excellent way to ensure students are more engaged in the learning experience, whether in a traditional classroom or at accredited online colleges, is by strengthening the communication between students and student-to-teacher.
Facebook In The Classroom. Seriously.