The pros and cons concerning social media in the classroom continue to be debated. As an educational tool social media platforms, such as Google+, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, can provide an environment for meaningful dialogue and the exchanging of ideas that encourage collaboration. Daniel Brian in A Day in the Life of Social Media points out that, “in a 24-hour period 41% of Americans will be using social media to tag, post, view, and share about one billion pieces of information.” Consideration should be given to the sources of this content if used in education or in business environments.
Those who oppose social media in the classroom say it discourages face-to-face communication. Students may be uncomfortable expressing themselves in a group and may become antisocial. Social media can be a distraction in the classroom by taking the students attention away from what’s happening in the classroom and pointing to mindless chats. Another concern of educators is cheating and plagiarism by using social media. When social media is used in the classroom guidelines that address security, academic integrity, as well as net etiquette should be given to the students to create a positive online environment.
Many educators see the value in using social media and are integrating it into their courses and teaching practices. It can improve communication among students and teachers by posting assignments, for example on Facebook or Google+. Students can communicate and collaboratively brainstorm a problem, support each other through writing assignments or ask questions of the teacher by using Twitter. One feature that Google+ uses that is different than the other platforms is the ability to add people to different circles as a way to help you organize your contacts and content. LinkedIn can be used to prepare adult students for successful employment by creating a professional web presence and post a resume. They can connect with others in the field that they are interested in joining.
Playing online games has many educational benefits. Game developer Jane McGonigal, said, “Gaming develops the skills of collaborating and cooperation. When you’re playing games you get up from failure and try again. In the real world we can feel defeated and give up. Gamers spend a lot of hours playing because it’s better than reality. “
EVOKE is a game that is trying to change that mindset. It is a social media game that is a ten-week crash course in changing the world. It is free to play and open to anyone, anywhere. The goal of the social network game is to help empower young people all over the world, especially in Africa, to come up with creative solutions to the most urgent social problems. What we need in education today are different ways to help students achieve their own winning attitudes to discover what they are capable of accomplishing. That’s what the problem solvers need to experience in the next century.
Creative Commons illustration by Sofiaperesoa
[CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Those who oppose social media in the classroom say it discourages face-to-face communication. Students may be uncomfortable expressing themselves in a group and may become antisocial. Social media can be a distraction in the classroom by taking the students attention away from what’s happening in the classroom and pointing to mindless chats. Another concern of educators is cheating and plagiarism by using social media. When social media is used in the classroom guidelines that address security, academic integrity, as well as net etiquette should be given to the students to create a positive online environment.
Many educators see the value in using social media and are integrating it into their courses and teaching practices. It can improve communication among students and teachers by posting assignments, for example on Facebook or Google+. Students can communicate and collaboratively brainstorm a problem, support each other through writing assignments or ask questions of the teacher by using Twitter. One feature that Google+ uses that is different than the other platforms is the ability to add people to different circles as a way to help you organize your contacts and content. LinkedIn can be used to prepare adult students for successful employment by creating a professional web presence and post a resume. They can connect with others in the field that they are interested in joining.
Playing online games has many educational benefits. Game developer Jane McGonigal, said, “Gaming develops the skills of collaborating and cooperation. When you’re playing games you get up from failure and try again. In the real world we can feel defeated and give up. Gamers spend a lot of hours playing because it’s better than reality. “
EVOKE is a game that is trying to change that mindset. It is a social media game that is a ten-week crash course in changing the world. It is free to play and open to anyone, anywhere. The goal of the social network game is to help empower young people all over the world, especially in Africa, to come up with creative solutions to the most urgent social problems. What we need in education today are different ways to help students achieve their own winning attitudes to discover what they are capable of accomplishing. That’s what the problem solvers need to experience in the next century.
Creative Commons illustration by Sofiaperesoa
[CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)