Social Networking Sites
Before today’s class I really didn’t see a need for social networking sites but with a little research I can now see that it can be very valuable. If I were to use one in the classroom, I think the most likely would be Twitter. This networking site can allow you to post classroom ideas or future projects and get feedback from your students. Changes in policy or just being engaged with your students are good options for the classroom with Twitter. Other social networking sites have positive effects in a classroom setting but I would not want to overstep my boundaries or invade personal space as a middle or high school teacher. This is a good article stating how schools are struggling with the new technology and what would be appropriate teaching standards. On the other hand, there are many negative articles relating to the opposing standpoint on social networking sites in the classroom. Some educators feel social networking sites are just a distraction from the material they are required to teach. The standard in teaching needs to move along with the times and make all the new technology part of teaching tools, even if it is social networking sites. There are ways to integrate them into the classroom as part of a learning environment that can make the students feel more comfortable because they use these things outside the classroom as well.
