After attending conferences on technology integration, conducting research on my own, and working toward a Multimedia Education Masters, I have become convinced as to the power of technology in the classroom. My favorite tech resource that I utilize almost daily is social networking. I have found social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook to be useful tools to connect with students as well as provide for personal professional development.
I use Facebook and Twitter to supply students with reminders about assignments, post links and handouts, pose questions, and for motivation. Below are a few examples of how I use these social networking sites to communicate with my students after school hours.
A colleague of mine put together these step by step instructions for teachers to create a twitter and a teacher fan page. Note: A teacher FAN PAGE is different than a regular Facebook page. With a FAN PAGE the teacher cannot see student’s personal information or wall. Students will only be allowed to see the teacher's posts and be able to comment on their wall.
Create a Twitter
Twitter is a way to communicate with your students in small, 140 character blurbs. I like it because students can be your "friend" but you don't have to be theirs.
Twitter is a way to communicate with your students in small, 140 character blurbs. I like it because students can be your "friend" but you don't have to be theirs.
Step 2: Pick a simple user name that the kids will remember. Update your bio and picture.
Step 3: Tell your students your username and start "tweeting." There is a bit of a learning curve here, but understanding the basics is pretty easy.
Create a Class Page on Facebook
Creating a class page on Facebook is similar to twitter, except there are more options (and, in my experience, your students are more likely to have a Facebook account). By creating a class pages instead of using your Facebook account, you limit their access to just what you want them to see.
Creating a class page on Facebook is similar to twitter, except there are more options (and, in my experience, your students are more likely to have a Facebook account). By creating a class pages instead of using your Facebook account, you limit their access to just what you want them to see.
Step 1: You'll need a Facebook account. Like the majority of America, you probably already have one. Go to Facebook.com and sign up.
Step 2: Suggestion - change your privacy settings on your personal Facebook account so that students can't see your private life.
Step 3: Create a class page (aka fan page). Choose "public figure" in the lower left hand corner and fill in the information. Remember that everything you put on this page will be public. By setting up this class page, students can "like" your page but you don't have to be their friend.
Step 4: Edit your privacy settings on this page. Do you want this to be a two way communication tool between you and your students? Or would you prefer it as just a loudspeaker for you?
I love this - I'm going to be visiting your blog often! Do you require your students to respond to your posts, or is it completely voluntary? (Or should I just be patient and wait for the next post?)
ReplyDeleteIt's voluntary but when you offer an incentive like extra credit or say that you will post the answers to the study guide if 50 students respond, more students participate
ReplyDelete