Monday, June 24, 2019

How To Use Social Media For Educators

By Patricia Gray


Due to advancement in technology, there are so many tools that teachers can now use in the classroom. You might have been an active social media user, but perhaps you have never thought of incorporating it as a tool of instruction in your class. If you haven't yet done this, then it is time that you seriously thought about using social media for educators. There are a number of ways that you can do this.

You can get your learners to follow someone online. This is on the different platforms that are available. Tell them to choose one platform online and follow one person on that platform. This means keeping up with their posts on a regular basis. They can then write a response paper on the various posts that the person has made. The main aim of this is that the students will learn the major vocabularies that are used online.

You can teach your students how to blog. Since learners get to do a lot of writing anyway, you can make this more exciting for them by asking them to create a blog and post their assignments on their blogs. Then ask them to read the blogs of other students and at least leave comments in a couple of blogs. You can make their posts public or private, based on your preferences.

Such platforms make it possible for kids to meet and socialize with learners from others parts of the country or other parts of the world. For instance, you can organize to have video calls with another class and have a discussion on a common topic that both classes are learning. This is great way for kids to get exposure to other cultures and communities.

Another great idea is for you to create an online group that parents, learners and even the school administrator can join. Use the platform to send students assignments. Students should also be allowed to post various things, such as any questions they have or useful information they want to share with others. Just make sure to monitor the group closely, so that people do not post irrelevant information.

Use these platforms to not just teach your students but to improve your life as well. For instance, use the platforms to connect with your peers. Join professional groups in your country and around the world and share ideas, lessons plans, materials, experiences and other things.

Expand your learner's creativity by asking them to create picture boards for various things. This will make their learning experience much more exciting. For instance, they can save pictures about a particular topic that you are learning in class. They can then write short descriptions for every picture they save.

It is important that you guide learners on how to use the internet safely. This is because there are many predators out there that might take advantage of them. Therefore, before you start using online tools, let them the do's and don't of being online. Also, let them know what specific hours they are allowed to be online, so that they don't get distracted when they are in class.




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