WHY USE SOCIAL MEDIA {goodreads}

"Encouraging student participation in online discussion can build community and result in thoughtful, articulate responses..." (Maloy, Verock, Edwards, & Woolf, 2014).

Sometimes students don't know where or how to express themselves in something as simple as a book review. If they can use a tool such as Goodreads then they can view others reviews as an example and articulate one of their own--knowing many will see it. Hopefully the online aspect of their response will encourage them to try their best and offer something worthwhile. As well as viewing and finding the benefit in others opinions on the exact same work. 

Online learning and work only complements traditional teaching and learning. Using things like Goodreads in book reviews will only enhance student learning. It makes learning more personal. It takes the typical classroom to a higher level (Chan & Leung, 2016).

Chan, W. T., & Leung, C. H. (2016). The Use of Social Media for Blended Learning in Tertiary Education. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 771-778.

Maloy, R. W., Verock, R.-E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2014). Transformaing Learning with New Technologies. Massachusetts: Pearson Education Inc.

What's writing without reading?

Nothing!!

Assignment #3- Over the next week read the novel A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.

Then use GOODREADS to rate and review the book. Follow your classmates and comment on at least three of their reviews. 

Most likely most of you own a smartphone--> 7 out of 10 people now do (How social media is changing education, 2010). So, you can even complete this assignment from your phone! Bonus!

How social media is changing education. (2010). Retrieved from BBC Active: http://www.bbcactive.com/BBCActiveIdeasandResources/Howsocialmediaischangingeducation.aspx

WHY USE SOCIAL MEDIA {facebook}

Facebook offers more divers learning opportunities and empowers our students (Yu, 2014).

They can join groups pertaining to their hobbies and likes as well as their educational goals. We can create class pages or groups for students to comment and collaborate their thinking and questions. 

Students are already using it!! They might as well use it for education as well.

Making the most of tools like Facebook will allow teachers more instructional time during class as they can explain assignments and other matters outside the classroom online using a tool such as a Facebook class page (Maloy, Verock, Edwards, & Woolf, 2014).

Maloy, R. W., Verock, R.-E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2014). Transformaing Learning with New Technologies. Massachusetts: Pearson Education Inc.

Yu, L.-T. (2014). A case study of using Facebook in an EFL English writing class: The perspective of a writing teacher. jaltcalljournal, 189-202.

You thought Facebook was just a place to post funny pictures of your brother?

Think again.

Facebook is a great place review course material (Yu, 2014).

Assignment #2
I've created a Facebook Group titled "Creative Writing for Teens", please ask to join the group and discuss the following question:

When is should backstory be used in my story?

Answer the question and comment on at least three of your classmates answers.

Yu, L.-T. (2014). A case study of using Facebook in an EFL English writing class: The perspective of a writing teacher. jaltcalljournal, 189-202.

WHY USE SOCIAL MEDIA {pinterest}

BBC Active explains that Pinterest is an exceptional tool for educators and students alike. It can be used for sharing resources as well as group work (Using Pinterest for Education, 2010).

BBC Active gives five examples of good educating Pinterest use:

·         Compile content, including educational videos

·         Organize and store ideas

·         Connect and comment on students’ work

·         Make connections with other teachers and get        ideas for future projects

·         Create group projects: community boards can be perfect for collaborative projects (Using Pinterest for Education, 2010).

"Online learning diversifies how you create levels of student engagement." (Maloy, Verock, Edwards, & Woolf, 2014).

Students learn differently. We want diverse learning and engaged learning It's a good thing!

Maloy, R. W., Verock, R.-E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2014). Transformaing Learning with New Technologies. Massachusetts: Pearson Education Inc.

Using Pinterest for Education. (2010). Retrieved from BBC Active: http://www.bbcactive.com/BBCActiveIdeasandResources/UsingPinterestforEducation.aspx

Think you're too creative to use social media in your writing?

Think again.

Every writer gets into a rut and social media might be the inspiration you need. 

Pinterest is a great tool! Look up: writing prompts and see what comes up! What did you find and what did you write because of those findings?

Maybe you just need help with replacing a boring word like "bad"... Pinterest can help with that!

See...

Assignment #1- Use Pinterest as a tool to spark some creative juices. 

{Dear Parents} WHY ARE WE USING SOCIAL MEDIA {in our classroom}

Social Media is so much more than a toy.

It is an invaluable tool for the classroom. One that we will be using throughout the course of this class. One that will put a positive and educational light on what you may have previously looked at as only a social connecting tool or time waster. 

Chan and Leung from Universal Journal of Education said, "These Internet-based applications facilitate human communication, interaction, and collaboration by allowing exchange and creation of user-generated content"  (771). So much more than just a toy.

Chan and Leung go on to explain that there are two main reasons to use Social Media in the classroom. #1- It creates a new learning environment that allows teachers and students to learn from one another. #2- Social media promotes blended learning and allows for a student-centered learning environment. (Chan & Leung, 2016).

The hope is that adding social media to our classroom agenda will help reach all students and all types of learners. As well as demonstrate to students all the more they can use their current social media.

Learning can be fun! Fun and when using social media "...student participation is greatly increased..." (How social media is changing education, 2010). And in this class we want participation! 

We will use many aspects of social media and we will all learn together.

 

Chan, W. T., & Leung, C. H. (2016). The Use of Social Media for Blended Learning in Tertiary Education. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 771-778.

How social media is changing education. (2010). Retrieved from BBC Active: http://www.bbcactive.com/BBCActiveIdeasandResources/Howsocialmediaischangingeducation.aspx