Class websites and social media

felgesior
Oct 11, 2015
3 min read

Including student’s passions in learning is a key theme that I have heard across educational research and texts. When we teach reading, we try to find materials that our students find important or interesting. When we teach math skills, we relate it to authentic situations: baking, personal finances, or reading a map. Children’s interests are ever changing and trends come in and out. As teachers, it is our job to be aware of these trends and utilize them in our classrooms. Right now, there are many different forms of social media that are holding our student’s attention. If I was giving advice to a teacher about creating an online presence, I would advise them to look at the student’s interests. What type of social media are they using? There are many ways that teachers can incorporate social media in an appropriate and beneficial way. One of the benefits of engaging in social media is that you gain access from any type of device from anywhere (Mellett, 2013). This allows students to work beyond the school day. We want to foster a love for learning that extends beyond the walls of school. If students are taught how to use tools to learn in authentic ways, then we can help them become lifelong learners. Another benefit, is the social collaboration that social media allows (Mellett, 2013). Teachers can connect with other teacher from around the world. Through blogs, idea boards like Pinterest, and websites like Teachers Pay Teachers, teachers can share lesson ideas with colleges around the world. These far reaching connections are possible through the use of social media. The use of these tools within the classroom can greatly benefit both students and teachers alike.

I would also advise teachers to create a classroom website. The author of The Classroom Web Page: A Must-Have in 2008, argues that having a class website is a must in our technologically advanced society. As a student, I think I would appreciate having a class website because of the organization it offers. A class website allows students a one stop place for all their resources (The Classroom Web Page, 2008). One suggestion from the article is to include all the links you will use for you lesson within your website. Students will get in the routine of going to the website and can easily be connected to all the resources they need. Clicking on a hyperlink can save valuable time from being spent on getting the whole class to where you want to be (The Classroom Web Page, 2008). Another advantage is the extended learning opportunities outside of school that a website provides. If students decide they want to further research a webpage they visited in class, they can easily relocate it and find out more on their own time. As a parent, there are also many benefits of a classroom webpage. Having resources in one place can make staying on top of a busy schedule manageable. Many parents are opting to fill out permission slips digitally, sign up for events and organize fundraisers virtually. These uses all help communication take place efficiently.

Mellett, L. (2013, September 18). How Teachers Are Turning to Social Media to Extend Learning. In Education Week . Retrieved October 11, 2015.

The Classroom Web Page: A Must-Have in 2008 (2008, February 19). In Edutopia. Retrieved October 11, 2015.