Harnessing the Power of Social Media

I read an intersting article this morning on how Teachers are Embracing Social Media in the Classroom. Before I go on to say what I feel about this it is interesting to note that I found out about this article through a tweet on twitter by @kamyousaf. I think this demonstrates one of the ways in which social media can empower new ideas and give them a platform on which they can be shared. Through Twitter I am part of a network of Teachers interested in using Technology, Web 2.0 and Social media to enhance education and teaching and learning. I have access to new ideas not just daily but numerous times in a day. Mmmh Information overload maybe? Well no. I don't have to sign in to Twitter, I can control the frequency.

Just think how this could be transferred into the student experience. Twitter and facebook can be used by students to link with others throughout the world to support each other and debate the topics from their courses. This shared knowledge would be more powerful and greater than the individual. My challenge is to enthuse my students to harness this and use it wisely.

So back to the article which can be found at:

Teachers embracing social media

I am excited that some schools are starting to embrace social media within teaching and learning. Although this article is talking about using these with children, I feel that this could be transferred to the adult learning experience. Many people are now familiar with and using social networking sites and social media and use it for informal learning. We as educators need to work out how we can harness this to support the more formal learning with which we engage. We have a responsibilty to engage with our students in every way we can, and whether we as educators like it or not, our students communicate in different ways to that which we used as undergraduates.

Or do they? I did my first degree by distance learning and communicated with my tutors and other students via email and telephone. I worked all over the world whilst I did my degree so could not attend the University for Tutorials. My work was sent out to me via the post in files. I would venture to suggest that online courses, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, You Tube and Blogger are just extensions of this. Yes, we are talking here about distance learning, rather than traditional attendance at university, but the students are no different. Embrace the new ways in which we can develop our teaching and bring the students on board. Make their educational experience more natural and more exciting. Engage them in learning in ways in which they are already familiar. Take the journey with them.

I personally am very excited about exploring ways in which we can engage our students more full in learning. I am passionate about teaching and learning, and will use every means possible to make sure my students love learning as well. I am also excited about linking with many like minded people throughout the world who want to use technology, web 2.0, and social media in their classrooms. I fully intend to embrace every possible avaenue which will support this. However, this does not mean I will go off and join every single social networking site just to engage with my students. I may be passionate, but life is too short to spend every waking minute in the digital world. Enjoy the journey, don't let it suck you in.