Check your social media tonight students, I will keep you updated

Davis (2014) and Provenzano (2015) wrote about how important the use of social media can be within classrooms and that everyday social media tools like Facebook can be used to keep students informed and interacting.

I do agree with them, Davis (2014) and Provenzano (2015) made valid arguments and even provided enough example of teacher who have made you of social media and have found it to be very effective. When I think about teaching next year, I stress because I want to create an environment where students feel that they are being heard and not just taught and that students would leave my classroom and would miss it. Social media is constantly being used and the faster we accept it and embrace it the better.

I am going to teaching Geography and Life Orientation at schools next year and after I read these articles I had a few ideas about how I could use social media in my classrooms. I had a Life Science Teacher, who created a Facebook page where she would upload the slides she used in class, videos, share links and she even had a photo competition. The Facebook page is a success and I still follow it.

I would use group email where all the parents will be add to and they would receive the year planner which will include dates of test, exams, projects and teacher parent meetings. The group email will make parents feel included and parents would be encouraged to email me with any concerns. I would start a Facebook page for students to follow for both my subjects, I would upload all class work as well as assignments and dates to ensure students are kept updated. Skype will be used to interact with geologist and Professors and critical discussion will be held, students will be allowed to ask questions and get a different perspective about certain topics.   

Davis (2014) mentioned the remind app that students can join and then reminders are sent via a message to their phones about test dates and assignments that are due. The app would be very effective, even with students who don’t have social media accounts. In our Computer use for our Post Graduate Education Program, I have seen how effective and fun twitter has become. I never had twitter and now I don’t regret getting it. Teachers should try to use a maximum of 3 to 4 social media sites or else it would be hard to manage and I would rather want effective then be everywhere.