I think we can all agree that social networking and sites like Facebook and Twitter are not just a flash in the pan. Based on what I’m hearing, and now seeing, teachers are beginning to embrace Facebook in the classroom.
If you are among the growing community of teachers in the groundswell, I’d like to hear your thoughts. How are you using technologies like Facebook and Twitter in the classroom?
I am an 8th grade language arts teacher who uses Facebook in the classroom to entice my students to interact about the books they are reading. My students are required to read 100 pages per week. My students read an average of 40 to 50 books per year. Although, my students excitedly discuss the current book they are reading with friends at school, Facebook provides a place for my students who are shy and feel better about interacting with peers via Facebook. I also have some reluctant readers that feel more comfortable asking questions over their book on Facebook rather than in class when we are quite busy covering the curriculum. I, myself as a teacher, depend on Facebook to help develop a rapport with my students and to motivate them to become lifelong readers.
ReplyDeleteI did not do this idea myself, but I saw a teacher who printed out the top part of a FB page in color, and then the students wrote reports using the FB page template and made it look like a posting on FB. It was so creative that it was used to decorate one of our bulletin boards in school. I am not exactly sure how the teacher did it though.
ReplyDeleteOut county has Facebook blocked. I love Facebook and all the educational pages available. So I do my research at home and bring what I need. I only wish that school systems would embrace facebook like the teachers do.
ReplyDeleteMy district also blocks facebook. So we are unable to use it in the classroom. :(
ReplyDeleteMy district blocks facebook and YouTube. I'm the music teacher and there is a lot on YouTube I'd like to show my students. I've learned how to convert the videos to WMP files so I can use them at school.
ReplyDeleteMy students are too young to legally be on FB, but some of their parents are. I have FB friends who are fellow teachers and parents of my students. I'm also in charge of our school's PTA FB page.
Hi all - I want to share with you (from my first post) that I use Facebook with my students after school hours when I am at home. Sometimes my students and I will schedule a time to meet on Facebook to discuss the books we are reading and other times I will log on to find a few students who are excited to share where they are in their books. Our discussions on Facebook often continue in the classroom when I see them walk into class. It is fun to see my students eyes light up when they see me and we can continue our conversation from our Facebook discussions.
ReplyDeleteOur district does not allow us (the teachers) to "friend" kids in the school system They say it is a liability issue, so I can't even imagine using it in the classroom. We use wikis and blogs instead. I have had great success with this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn for sharing! That's great. I love the idea of using social networking technologies to interact with reluctant or shy students.
ReplyDeleteMagpie118, may I ask how you are using wikis and blogs?
I have a teacher/professional facebook account, which I allow kids to friend. I will post reminders about homework or upcoming tests, and will also put up an occasional picture or two of school events. The kids love it!
ReplyDeleteI will also get messages when kids are stuck on a homework assignment, or don't remember what is due. I don't mind helping them, and think it is a great resource!
My district blocks facebook, too. Our district does not approve friending students because of liability issues.
ReplyDelete:o)
I appreciate all your comments. I came across this post last night and thought I'd share it with the group.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/18955.aspx