Journal #3

Kessler, S. (2010, September 29). The Case For Social Media in Schools. Retrieved October 18, 2015.

In the article The Case For Social Media in Schools, Kessler argues that having social media as a resource for education in the classroom creates an interactive positive learning environment for students.  Kessler points out that a large number of students are regularly using a social media site/app. "Almost three-fourths of 7th through 12th graders have at least one social media profile" (Kessler  2010). She also makes the argument that students learn more when they are engaged, therefore if students like social media they will be more engaged in lessons that can incorporate social media or social media like sites.  Lastly Kessler also states that there are several free resources to teach safe social media tools, and that if parents and teachers are involved in teaching students these safe tools then using social media will be a much more positive experience for everyone.
I agree with Kessler that social media can be used as a resource in and out of the classroom.  I think that interactive class sites and forums would keep students more engaged in their class lessons.  I also think having a class social media site would strengthen the sense of class community.   If a student could access their class social media site at home via a smartphone/tablet/computer they could post questions, start discussions, form study groups, and so much more.  I think that there are a lot of possibilities for the upper grades to use social media for educational purposes.  I also think it is smart to educate the parents as well.  I find that often parents look at social media as a negative when in fact they are just not familiar with social media or the many positive uses for it.  Having parents on board to help supervise their students social media use and learn about social media can help the parents stay involved and connected with their child as well.

Q 1: How could a teacher use social media as a resource in the classroom?

A 1: I think that a teacher could have the students set up a classroom blog based on a certain topic they are discussing and rather then have a class discussion students could state their opinions as comments/blog posts on the classroom blog.  The teacher could even have the students use accountable talk sentences frames and language so they can practice their accountable talk skills and debate skills.

Q 2: Could social media be utilized in the primary grades?

A 2: I teach Kindergarten and I honestly could not see my students using any type of social media simply because they are just learning their letters, sounds, and how to write.  I do think that social media could be used in a 4th or 5th grade classroom.  Maybe in those grades the teacher would have students create blogs, participate in something like Edmodo, or Class Dojo.