With the popularity of social media rapidly increasing in today's society, a growing number of educators have not only come to tolerate social networking in a classroom environment, but often encourage students to participate in social media activities for educational purposes. Eric Sheninger, the principal of New Milford High School in New Jersey, is one educator in particular who has reinforced the use of social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube, and has even urged his teachers to do the same.
For example, in class, teachers will allow students to use their cell phones to gain access to the school's Facebook page or Twitter account to respond and participate in various quizzes and polls. Sheninger encourages students to use their "mobile learning devices" to push education past the confines of a classroom.
One benefit of intertwining social networking activities is that it allows students to expand and broaden the discussions of their work. It encourages them to work on projects that are relevant to current events, allowing other viewers outside the classroom to respond and provide meaningful insights. "[Social networking] is what these students have known their whole lives. They're connected, they're creating, they're discussing, they're collaborating," states Sheninger.
Other benefits with the use of social media is that it gives younger students a chance to learn the importance of responsible and safe behavior and to gain the knowledge and skills that will help protect their privacy. The American Library Association agrees with the use of social media in classrooms stating, "Instead of restricting access, librarians and teachers should educate minors to participate responsibly, ethically, and safely."
Although the use of social media can provide educational benefits for our youth, the biggest objection involves the likelihood that students will come across inappropriate or irrelevant material in their searches. James Lerman, author of several books concerning educational technology, explains that educators must do a better job of supervising and advising students with their work while on social media websites. Furthermore, educators must teach students how to appropriately navigate through a "sea of junk" in order to find the best information for their school work.
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