Professional Online Social Networks

Mindlab Activity 5
Step 1

How have you used social media tools in your teaching/professional development?

• I use Facebook as a way to connect with other educators. I have joined to a variety of ‘communities’ to support my own professional development. Reading through others’ questions and related answers, discussions or responses, helps to form my own understanding of certain concepts or areas of development.

What characteristics of the social media you have you harnessed in your teaching/professional development context?

1. Create, share, adapt and reuse content;
2. Engage in digital dialogue and collaboration
3. Create linkages, groups and communities,
4. Social interactions with other users.

Step 2

How could social media be used to benefit the teaching and learning?

• Professional development, discussion with other teachers to seek advice and support, seek feedback and different viewpoints regarding professional/teaching issues/dilemmas, etc.

What are potential challenges that teachers need to be aware of when they are integrating social networking platforms into teaching activities?

• Privacy
• Cyber bullying
• Inappropriate content - videos, photos, comments
• Religious/personal views of parents/whanau
• School cyber safe policies

Step 3

What are the implications for using social media in teaching and/ or professional development?

• When using social media in a safe, cyber smart way, teachers are able to enhance teaching and learning for the students as learning become more authentic and connected. Students are able to connect to the world in ways not possible before technology.
• Teachers are able to connect and seek feedback from teachers all around the world, being exposed to varying viewpoints and ideas regarding any particular topic. By considering the viewpoints of others in our own country and around the world, teachers are better able to make decisions that will impact students learning in positive ways.

In what ways does this reflective process inform and change your perspective?

• It makes me think about ways that I could use social media in the class.  I have always used social media to support my own professional development, however have not considered using it with my students. I always thought social media would be more beneficial for intermediate aged students and older, however after watching the Video realise just how powerful it can be with students of any age.
• This term in my class our students are writing to their penpals in Ireland. They are handwriting their letters and sending using snail mail. This is a great way of connecting with people from around the world and broaden their understanding of the world around them.  This learning could further be deepened by connecting with these students on a digital platform where dialogue and itneraction is immediate.