Technology and Education

Social websites use in Generation Y’s schooling

Introduction

Benefits of using these sites in the classroom:increased communication skills, sharing of original and creative work through videos, photographs, or poems practicing the types of 21st century skills future employers will look for

*Generation Y usually refers to people between the ages of 10 and 25

Social networking websites such as Blogger.com, Twitter.com, and Facebook.com are growing exponentially in users who fall under the category of “Generation Y*”.

With the majority of “Gen Y” being students, we pay special attention to the fact that Gen Y spends an average of 3.5 hours per day online.

Blogger.com

Blogger.com is a website that allows users to share information as well as upload pictures, video, and audio files to their “blog”.

Each user’s blog is unique, just

like each person’s life is unique!

Blogger.com is a tool that students can use both in the classroom and outside of the classroom.

Click this link to go to Blogger.com!

Blogger.com as a “SNS” or Social Networking Site

Dr. Kandace Harris, an assistant professor and interim chair Johnson C. Smith University, says using social networking sites in the classroom can:

a) Help students expand their ideas outside of the classroom

b) Build better communication channels in their own thinking.

c) Create a meaningful and fun way to share class-related information

d) Retain students’ interest in the material.

Harris, Kandace. (2008, October 16). Using Social networking sites as student engagement tools: Facebook and other sites may serve as a better communication channel between students and professors, but there are drawbacks to consider. Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0WMX/is_18_25/ai_n30956801/

Reflecting on Blogger.com I think students would be thrilled to work on assignments centered around their blogs.

Blogger.com is a user-friendly site that could absolutely be beneficial in working in groups on a project, creating feedback on students blogs by others posting comments, or any other creative project the instructor comes up with.

I realized that students are building skills that will benefit them throughout their education while they use Social Networking Sites, this thought had not occurred to me prior to reading this article.

The bottom line regarding Blogger.com is that students would thoroughly enjoy bringing this type of Social Networking Site into their schoolwork

“A recent study by the University of Minnesota found that low-income …credit SNS for teaching them

technology skills, as well as creativity, and providing exposure to diverse views.” - Dr. Kandace Harris

Twitter.com

Twitter.com is a website that allows users to update their “followers”, or other users who watch what they update, at any time.

Twitter.com can be used by instructors who set up a Twitter account for their class.

The main point of Twitter is to update information frequently to help users stay in touch and find out information.

Click this link to go to Twitter.com!

Twitter.com in the classroom

Dr. Monica Rankin of the University of Texas says by using Twitter she can boost her classroom’s engagement in her lectures.

Twitter allows her students to update their thoughts about a topic she has asked them to discuss on the class’ Twitter page. Or, they can ask questions for her to answer.

Dr. Rankin has found that her students are much more engaged in what they are learning by incorporating Twitter’s technology into her classroom.

Ferenstein, Greg. (2010, March). How Twitter in the classroom is boosting student engagement. Mashable The Social Media Guide, Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2010/03/01/twitter-classroom/

Reflecting on Twitter.com

Twitter’s use in the classroom is astounding. Teachers can simply post a discussion question in or outside of the classroom and the students who follow the instructor’s Twitter account can answer their opinions and provide other classmates feedback.

What shocked me the most while reading this article was the fact that students who are shy or feel uncomfortable voicing their opinion can now “tweet” their questions to the front of the room without raising a hand or voicing their opinion verbally.

“Studies frequently discover that greater participation translates into better academic performance, motivation, and a likelihood of adopting different points of view, which is why it is so striking that Twitter can foster that type of communication.” – Greg Ferenstein

Facebook.com

Facebook.com is a website that allows users to share instant messages, personal posts, pictures, video, audio, interests, information and more.

Facebook can be used by teachers who want to make a Facebook page for their classroom.

Facebook is used to keep in touch and share information, so why not use it in the classroom?

Click this link to go to Facebook.com!

How can Facebook.com be used by teachers?

This article discusses how teachers can take advantage of their students’ urge to be on Facebook by creating a classroom Facebook page.

If a classroom Facebook page is made, students can become a “group member” and they will be updated with new posts, videos, pictures, notes, etc.

Hart, Lenzie. (2009, September 29). Technology in the classroom: how to use Facebook in the classroom. Bright Hub: The Hub for Bright Minds, Retrieved from http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/18955.aspx

Reflecting on Facebook.com Using Facebook as a tool in the classroom is a brilliant way to ensure class

engagement. Having the class information or group discussions on Facebook would be a

great way to make sure the students are understanding the material, communicating with classmates, and asking questions.

When I read the article, it made sense when the author discussed making sure the classroom’s Facebook page is ONLY about the class and doesn’t discuss anything outside of class.

“Through integrating technology into your classroom, you are better able to relate to your students and captivate their attention. Using… Facebook, teachers can strengthen the lines of communication with their students.” –Lenzie Hart

ConclusionBlogger.com, Twitter.com, and Facebook.com are all social networking sites that can absolutely be used in the classroom.

Each site allows users to interact quickly and from anywhere, whether the users are next to each other on classroom computers, or at home!

These three sites are beneficial for class discussions, finding out information on topics from class, or communicating with peers or the teacher.

Use these sites in your classroom for a fun, interesting way to interact with your class!

In Conclusion, :)