Jamie OstrowModule 6

Presenting Technology Research

Social Networking

in the Classroom

Click Here to Begin!

MENUPrincipals Call for

Mobile & Social

Technologies in Sch

ools

Cloud-based tools are giving K-12 collaboration

efforts a boost.

When Social Networking Goes ‘Live’

References

Principals Call for Mobile & Social Technologies in Schools

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.

By David Nagel

Interesting Quotes ->

Summary

“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.

Gerald Tirozzi,

NASSP Director,

Believes…

Personal Refection ->

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.

On Cloud Nine:Cloud-Based Tools are Giving K-12 Collaboration Efforts a Boost.

By Bridget McCrea, Marty Weil

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.

Summary

Interesting Quotes ->

“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!

Kim Cavanaugh,

Technology

Program

Specialist,

Believes…

Personal Refection ->

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.

When Social Networking Goes ‘Live”

By Bridget McCrea

Summary

Interesting Quotes ->

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.

“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.

Shaelynn

Farnsworth,

Believes…

Personal Refection ->

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.

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

ReferencesNagel, 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