Social Networking in the Classroom

1. Social
Networking
in the
Classroom
Jamie Ostrow
Module 6
Presenting Technology Research
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2. Cloud-based tools are
giving K-12 collaboration
efforts a boost.
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References

3. Principals Call for Mobile & Social Technologies in Schools
By David Nagel
Summary
 The National Association of Secondary
School Principals (NASSP) believe that
schools need to re-evaluate their
policies that ban cell phones and similar
technologies.
 NASSP feels that while mobile and
social technologies do have negatives,
the positives are endless.
 Social networking sites provide
platforms for student creativity by
enabling them to design projects using
words, music, photos, and videos.
Interesting Quotes ->

4. “Blocking technologies like smart phones and social
networking sites takes educations in the wrong direction”
“An education that fails to account for the responsible use
of mobile devices and social networks prepares students
for our past, but not their future.
I 100% agree with Tirozzi. Technology is
such a huge part in todays world,
especially in the younger generation of
students. As teachers, we need to use
what we can to get our students
involved. There are so many resources
online and right at our fingertips. I not
only feel like teachers should be using
these technologies to teach but should
be required to learn and understand
how to use them to the fullest potential.
Personal Refection ->

5. Personal Reflection
When I was in school, there was always a “0 Tolerance” rule for
cell phones. At the time, I don‟t think students or teachers even
thought about using mobile and social technologies for
educational purposes. We all just wanted to text each other and
check our Facebook, but things are definitely changing. Not only
is technology everywhere, it‟s also becoming more and more
affordable. Everyone has a cell phone and personal computer,
or access to them anyways. It‟s time for schools to change the
policies and get on board. Teachers will need to have clear
guidelines on what‟s expected and what‟s acceptable. This kind
of teaching is the future and I look forward to being a part of that.

6. On Cloud Nine:
Cloud-Based Tools are Giving K-12 Collaboration Efforts a Boost.
By Bridget McCrea, Marty Weil
Summary
Teachers across the US are finding unique ways to incorporate technology like: smartphones,
tablets, laptops, and computers to teach their class. Here are a few examples from the article…
• Wixie – Allows students to create original art, voice
recordings, and written communication. In Arvada,
CO, fourth grade “teachers” are making lessons for
kindergarteners.
• Adobe Connect Pro - This takes “Field Trips” to a
new level. This application allows outside parties to
participate before, after, or even during the trip using
video chat.
• Lino – Online sticky note service that can be used to
post memos, to-do lists, ideas, photos anywhere on
an online web canvas.
• MasteryConnect – Allows teachers to collaborate
and track student mastery of Common Core
Standards.
Interesting Quotes ->

7. “Using technology, teachers can make the lesson much
more compelling and extend past a single day‟s trip. They
can also latch onto the enthusiasm immediately, and use it
as a motivational tool for students.”
Kim Cavanaugh is exactly right! With the technology that is available,
a field trip will become much more than a day out of the classroom. A
teacher can invite specific people to video chat and teach her class
about the topic at hand. Students and teachers can “join” other
classes on a trip right from their classroom. Students could even take
pictures and video of the trip to use for reports once back in the
classroom. This kind of research is fun for students!
Personal Refection ->

8. Personal Reflection
With these “Cloud-Based” programs, it‟s not just the students that
will benefit. Teachers are learning how to be more efficient and
strategic. Something as simple as organizing your thoughts into one
place, using Lino, and getting rid of post-it notes and reminders, can
allow a teacher to gather his/her thoughts and be more proficient. I
personally plan to use programs like this when I have my own class
one day. I hope that we can eliminate things like carrying around
huge textbooks, and going to the library to research in boring books
that have been around for ages. With the latest technology in video
chat, we could go on field trips to endless destinations without even
leaving the classroom.

9. When Social Networking Goes ‘Live”
By Bridget McCrea
Summary
Shaelynn Farnsworth is a teacher at BCLUW Community School
in Iowa. The students at her school all have MacBooks and
regularly use applications like iMovie, iPhoto, and Photo Booth.
Farnsworth used twitter to connect with other teachers. When she
connected with a Philosophy instructor, John Noonan, from The
International School of Helsingborg in Sweden, she was only
looking for someone to Skype (Video Chat) with her class about
the assignment she was teaching. It turned into much more than
she ever could have expected. They started teaching each others
classes back and forth and had all the students, both from Iowa
and Sweden, working collaboratively on projects. Students started
making friendships and connecting with each other outside of
school through social networking sites like Facebook. Farnsworth
went to the school board and got approval for a trip and started
raising money. Noonan was able to set up her students with “host
families” to cut costs. Social networking made all of this possible.
Interesting Quotes ->

10. “We and were surprised with the results of this project, and in
particular with the way the students wanted to connect outside
of class. We thought a Skype lecture would be the end of it.
The fact that students used technology and social networking
to connect on their own was definitely unexpected.”
This has definitely got to be the
highlight of these kids school years.
How often do Iowa students get to go
on a field trip to Sweden? I think it is
exciting that the students were so
involved that they wanted to continue
talking to one another outside of
school. This goes to show that
technology is in fact the way to reach
our future students. Not only were they
learning, they went above and beyond
what was expected of them.
Personal Refection ->

11. Personal Reflection
When I hear people mention Twitter, Skype or Facebook, I usually
picture people chatting with their own friends and family. Shaelynn
Farnsworth took it to the next level. Not only did her twitter
connection lead to this amazing trip, she had lessons being taught
to her class through online video chatting. This amazes me. When I
am a teacher, I definitely want to get my students involved with
additional teachers with knowledge on my lessons.

12. Conclusion
Social Networking in the Classroom
 Mobile & social technologies in education is growing
 Not only do students benefit, but teachers do as well
 This kind of learning is the future
 Technology is the best way to reach younger generations

13. References
Nagel, D. (n.d.). Principals Call for Mobile and Social Technologies in Schools - -
THE Journal. THE Journal: Technological Horizons in Education - - THE Journal.
Retrieved June 22, 2011, from, http://thjournal.com/articles/2call-for-mobile-and-
social -technologies-in-schools.axpx?sc_lang=en
McCrea, B., & Weil, M. (n.d.). On Cloud Nine - - THE Journal. THE Journal:
Technological Horizons in Education - - THE Journal.
Retrieved June 22, 2011, from, http://thejournal.com/articles/2clound-
nine.aspx?sc_lang=en
McCrea, B. (n.d.). When Social Networking Goes „Live” - - THE Journal. THE Journal:
Technological Horizons in Education - - THE Journal.
Retrieved June 22, 2011, from, http://thejournal.com/articles/2social-networking-
goes-live.aspx?sc_lang=en