Social Media in the Classroom

By the students of EDCI 413/516

Spring 2016

Best Practices
Social Media Curriculum for a high school class
Three Tips for Teachers
1. Be wary about using the same social media accounts for personal and professional
use
2.

Be transparent with parents about how social media will be used

3.

Get proper permission from administrators and parents

Best Practices

Safety tips
SAFETY IS KEY!

Don
t fo

Monitor online discussions

Password protection
Monitor visuals
Screen the sources you choose to use
Login for web contributions

rget

to T
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e sa

fety

Social Media Apps (Classroom Only)

What is fakebook?
The website is used by teachers and students to create imaginary profiles for
students to use for studying purposes. Students can upload videos, pictures
and also friends.

Social Media Apps Cont. (Classroom Only)

What is Kidblog?
Safe and simple blogs for students
What else?
Creative Writing
Book Club
Math Problem Solving
Science Notebooks
Global Pen Pals
Digital Portfolio

Social Media Apps (Classroom Community)

What is Edmodo?
Edmodo is an online networking application for teachers and students. Think Facebook, but in a safe and controlled environment appropriate for school.
Edmodo is primarily a tool for within class communication, but it also provides several ways for teachers to connect with other teachers. Currently there are
over 500,000 students using edmodo worldwide
Edmodo is free and the edmodo organization has said all currently available features will remain free.
Why would I want to use Edmodo?
Edmodo helps teachers to build an online learning conversation with your class regarding your subject.
While encouraging a peer-learning and peer support environment, inside the classroom and outside.

Edmodo Cont...
Edmodo is not like Facebook in the sense that each Edmodo class group is managed and controlled by the teacher. Students
need an access code to join the class. Students can only communicate to the whole class or to the teacher - private messages
between students are not possible. Anonymous posting is not possible. Teachers can delete posts.
Edmodo is very easy to setup and use all the teacher would have to do is visit edmodo.com and create a teacher account,
create a class group, a group access code, and give it too their students. Explain to the students the guidelines to the class
about the purpose of the edmodo site and explanations of how students will use it.

https://www.edmodo.com/

Social Media- Classroom Community

REN WEB
ADMINISTRATORS
-

Help administrators manage school information like student/family demographics, courses, and classes
in one place

TEACHERS
-

Time-saving features mean that information only has to be entered once, and teachers can communicate
student information to families in real time.

FAMILIES
-

Parents can access attendance, homework, progress reports, and grades, while also managing lunch or
field trip payments, and viewing the school calendar.

Social Media Apps (Public)

Instagram:
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Imagine how a famous person in history would use Instagram. Have students browse historical photos and
create a bulletin board or poster display showing Abraham Lincoln's or Buzz Aldrin's Instagram feed.
Record steps in a science experiment. Watch as a plant unfurls or a chemical compound slowly changes
colorsand keep the changes preserved on Instagram.
Go on an ABC scavenger hunt. Challenge kids to find print in the world around themon signs, packaging and
in the mail.
http://catlintucker.com/2013/02/instagram-scavenger-hunt/
Nitch (historical figures)
Interact with students (community)
Humans of new york (social studies)
Writing prompts with photos
Showcase class activities

Public continued
Facebook:

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Students can form groups on facebook to stay connected and ask questions with other students.
Follow newsfeeds
Schedule events
Post class notes in private group
Allow shy students a way to communicate
Facilitate classroom connections
Students are comfortable with Facebook. Most students are already users of Facebook, so implementing it into class
provides a comfortable way for students to participate in class.

References:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues/issues423.shtml
http://www.jeadigitalmedia.org/2012/08/23/curriculum-for-a-high-schoolsocial-media-class/
http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2015/09/14/3tips-for-high-school-teachers-to-use-social-media-responsibly-in-class
http://www.renweb.com/

References:
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/6555?ref=search
https://staysafeonline.org/teach-online-safety/middle-and-high-school/
http://www.crazy4computers.net/adventures-in-internet-safety.html
http://kidblog.org/home/