The “Real” Benefits of Social Networking for Students, Teachers and Schools

For the Students:

I recently conducted an informal poll my MS students and asked them: “What do you study when using social networking sites (Facebook, Instagram, Pheed, Twitter)?  The responses ran the gambit from “I do not study, just have fun…that is what it is there for,” to several interesting and more constructive responses.  These took the forms of: 1) technology skills—research and information for projects; 2) being creative—finding different examples and influence; 3) different views—culturally diverse school leads to friendships; 4) communications stills—typing and expressing views is communicating.

As a technology/business education teacher, I was thrilled!!!  it is not all fun, games and mindless drivel.  There are constructive things that occur on these types of discourse for students.  By students using  social networking sites they are, in fact, practicing the kinds of 21st century skills which will build them up to be successful 21st century learners—for a lifetime!!

Potential Benefits for Students:

1) Development of communication skills;
2) Increased skill in using and adapting technology;
3) Increased exposure to varied views (culturally diverse friends, school settings);
4) Increased talent to work on group projects (perhaps, more so in HS, no MS);
5) Students can control their own image and emotions by putting out for public consumption what they think is important (this does have a down side if they go the opposite route).

For the Teachers:

This is more difficult to gage due to the policy of not “friending” students—comes with a host of issues.  In a perfect world, teachers could shave with others (teachers and students) bookmarks, articles, blogs or websites.  These could serve as separate projects or could be used as supplements to lessons covered in the classroom.  At the high school level, it appears that educators are relying more and more on social networking sites to assist their students and fellow teachers in receiving important details for schoolwork or other events that are going on.

Potential Benefits for Teachers and Schools:

1) Increased access to resources;
2) Collaborate with other teachers—within their teams and globally;
3) Exchange lesson plans and information—with different stakeholders, increasing communication;
4) Acts as another avenue to reach parents and teachers regarding school events to supplement email;
5) The global component is intriguing and can form significant partnerships with other schools;
Increases visibility to a global level for cultural and exchange of thoughts/content.

Keeping it "Real-World"

Mr. S.