When I think of social networking, my mind immediately shifts to what I know and use often: Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. I use these tools multiple times throughout the day. (Okay, maybe multiple times each hour...) I never really thought of social media as a type of literacy. After giving it real thought and consideration while reading this chapter, I agree that there is real thinking going on when one uses social media. People have to know how to do things, select pictures, create tags that match their content, respond to others, and so much more. It is a whole new realm of the world which requires one to learn about it in order to participate.
One part of this chapter that I found extremely interesting was when it talked about strong and weak links in social networks or groups. It was of particular interest to me because of the finding that more people attributed their finding of a job due to acquaintances or "weak links". Just recently I have found out about events going on that I want to be a part of through what I would call "weak links".
My experiences with social networking have aligned with what the authors have mentioned in the text. There are people who use it to predominantly use it to play games or stay connected to family members. Social networking is also the extent to which some of my family use the computer because they are otherwise not comfortable with the use of technology.
I am interested in reading about real use of Facebook in the classroom or specific examples of applicable classroom practice. I think reading or watching a case study would be appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI would prefer using target social network services that the authors discuss in the chapter over general social ties. This is just a personal preference, and I would prefer my students to participate in social networking services that are targeted!
I also found the section of the text about weak links and strong links interesting as well. It makes sense to group or categorize different people into these two labels as you probably communicate with them for totally different reasons.
I am also interested in the real use of Facebook in the classroom. Is there a real use for it? It already plays a role in the classroom if students are using it outside of the classroom. I wonder what my high school life would have been like with Facebook. How would it have been different? To be honest, I am glad that I didn't have it then. I feel that all of the "social drama" of high school would have been unescapable!
DeleteKim and Dominique,
ReplyDeleteI too found the section on weak and strong links interesting. I have found that I have learned about things or events through more of my weak links, than through my stronger links.
Kim, I also have family who use social networking because it is easy for them to navigate, but then they struggle with using the computer and internet. I think they use an item like Facebook because it is so user friendly.
I wonder if there is a divide between elementary, middle, and high school students using it. I'm sure elementary and some middle school students find it so cool if it was to be used in the classroom but I'm not sure if high school students would...they may not if their mom, dad, grandparent, or little brother or sister was on there? I'm not sure about their definition of cool...something to think about.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the user friendly approach the site has...which may be why it isn't scary for you guys older family members who aren't comfortable with other computer or Internet use. Solid thoughts Kim, thanks!
Dominique, I think you are spot on with the "cool" comment! I think that the elementary and middle school students would think that it is cool to use it in the classroom, but I think that high school students might not want to use it, because of their other family members might be able to access what they say. However, that might be the tool they need to watch what they put on the internet!
Delete100% agree with you Lizzie.
DeleteI do not think we have to worry about using it in the classroom as far as my county is concerned anyways because of the restrictions they have on it. I think users have to be 14 to use facebook anyway. I do think it is neat to use edmodo and I know that it has been used in my school to network classrooms and after school groups. The kids like being able to get on and share ideas and thoughts. But I think preparing them to think about how they might use these types of tools is important. I know some high school teachers who use edmodo a lot to communicate with their students about projects and upcoming events.
Delete-Kristin
Kimberly,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about "weak links" section. Weak links are the ways in which I have found out about events and other things through facebook. I also find it interesting that you mention pinterest. When reading the chapter I found myself wondering if the authors would consider this a social networking site. Certainly many ideas can be posted and shared and networks of teachers, parents etc. can be formed. I love using pinterest for teaching ideas, list of books to read, activities to do with my kids at home. I also use pinterest when I cook, no longer do I pick up a cookbook, so here is another example in the shift in literacies where not too long ago people would search their shelves for recipe books a lot more people are going digital.
-Kristin
Kim- As I read your post I wondered about the situation at your school. Do you use social media with your students? If so, what have those experiences been like?
ReplyDeleteIn the classroom I have used readingrewards.com with my students. Students can set up a profile and log in their reading minutes. They can also blog about their books, leave reviews of books that they have read, and add books to a virtual wishlist. Students have really enjoyed this as a tool to log in their reading versus filling out reading logs. I think it requires explicit, constant modeling and instruction for students to use social media tools like this effectively.
Delete