As I read through the AASL article, I realized my middle school would be in all of those percentage totals. We use social networking sites and Smart devices weekly. I noticed that the article was dated in 2008. The survey percentages were from six years ago! I bet those numbers have almost doubled by now! You can't keep students away from their devices, so you might as well join 'em. I think BYOD is something that most teachers need to try to work into their lessons little by little.
From the article "Social Networking and your library OPAC", my favorite section was how Follett is using Destiny Quest as a way of social networking. I would say that most students do not know how to write a review or rate something. I think having the students read a book, rate i,t and then put their review on a social site like Destiny Quest, would be a nice updated version of the book report. This intermingles reading and writing skills with the 21st century!
I think Metz' article, "Secure Social Networking", is a great introductory journal for any teacher, parent or student who has mixed feelings about using social networking in a school setting. This journal article has many links to videos or guides to using social networking in a positive way and ways to prevent negativity.
TeacherLibrarianNing is a great social networking site for media specialists. I love googling ways to improve my lessons in mathematics and this site has many good ideas on how to make your library better than it already is. I saw a blog about "Elf on the Library Shelf", how cool is that! What a great idea to take away and it would be something the students would remember.
I think social networking sites would be great for student engagement, if used in the right way. I used Edmodo for an advanced math class and the students loved it! I started out slow and we were only turning in one assignment per week. Students loved socializing with each other. The students knew I was a member and could see everything they wrote and I invited parents to join. Our district has firewalls for most of the social networking sites. Our county uses My Big Campus in hopes that this would take place of Edmodo. My Big Campus is used by teachers and students. I love the idea of My Big Campus, but unfortunately I have not had the time to explore, upload or search for idea as much as I want to.
I think social networking sites would be a great outlet for students to discuss novels. Like in my earlier example, students can blog or write reviews in place of class discussions or a book report. I believe social networking and BYOD will have a positive effect on student engagement. The number one person to make this a success is the classroom teacher. Teachers have to WANT to include this in their lessons and take time to explore how to use these ideas in their classroom.
Leah,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you! These kids are never going to stop using their smart phones and social media so we only have one option: Join them!
I love, love, love the idea that Follett Shelf used Destiny Quest as a social media outlet. The idea that this could be a new way of doing a book report is genius!
I do "Elf on the Shelf" every year in my classroom and I cannot wait to look through the article about "Elf on the Library Shelf"... SO CUTE!
I'm kind of jealous that older grades get to use more social media. I am a first grade teacher and about five of my students don't even have home computers or internet (shocking, I know). But I really have enjoyed your ideas and I hope I can use them in the future!
I also think that BYOD programs are a great way to get students involved and more active with lessons. I know from all of my readings and my hours volunteering in schools that Destiny is the OPAC system used by most schools, however I have never used it. I think it is great that they are allowing students to use social networking to comment on books they have read. The New York Public Library uses something called Biblicommons for our public interface and there, teens and adults are able to create list, follow other people and of course comment / review the material that they have checked out and used. Children are only allowed to post a review of a item. They are not allowed to create list or follow other people's list. Overall I think Bibliocommons is a great tool that creates a community of people who love the library.
ReplyDeleteOh, the kids and their devices....it drives me nuts. But I can see how it could be useful in libraries and classrooms. I teach PE right now, so I do not allow it AT ALL....like I tell them, "you'll live without it."
ReplyDeleteI think that is also a good idea to have students learn how to write reviews. As you said, it could be a way for teachers to keep tabs on what kids are reading. There are so many means available where people can review books and by allowing students to learn to do this appropriately, they could start joining in on sites like GoodReads.
I may have to read the article you suggested, "Secure Social Networking." Honestly, I hate that we, as a society, rely so much on our devices. I think there are just some places that we need to put them down and learn to think with our own minds. But that is just how I feel.
I've heard of Edmodo. I believe a few of my fellow teachers use it. What do you think about concerns about what students put on these social networks? I know at the middle school age, many find it amusing to write profane and inappropriate things on sharing sites, even ones that can be used for school. Just wondering!