Kessler, S. (2010, September 29). The
Case For Social Media in Schools. Retrieved October 14, 2016, from http://mashable.com/2010/09/29/social-media-in-school/
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Klopfer, E. (2009). The Instructional
Power of Digital Games, Social Networking, Simulations and how Teachers Can Leverage
Them. Retrieved October 14, 2016, from http://education.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/GamesSimsSocNets_EdArcade.pdf
Summary/Reflection:
Both
of these articles had very obvious and firm stances that social media has a
place in the classroom. I also feel the same. While there are still some
uncertainties, I do believe that incorporating social media and new technology
into the classroom can benefit the students and the teacher. Kessler and
Klopfer both said so many of our students are immersed in this technology
already, so why not embrace it. I think like many approaches and strategies in
teaching, social media usage needs to be explored, tested, and facilitated
appropriately. I am also a firm believer that there should be a balance in
technology based teaching and traditional teaching. There will always be ways
to improve and challenges to overcome, so why not take a risk and see where it
will take you?
Q1: Will students
outgrow the social media technologies available now?
A1: The
logical and most obvious answer is yes. Like any other social media technology,
there is a phase and the hype may die down. However, there are also ways that
developers revamp and enhance their programs in order to keep or make them
relevant again. I’m sure there are also many up and coming programs that
haven’t launched yet that could also be players later on.
Q2: How do
digital games such as Civilization and World of Warcraft tie into education?
A2: When glancing over the article, I was a little confused as to why and how Civilization and WOW were in the article for education. However, as I began reading the article and got to that section it made sense. Klopfer states how Civilization can be used for teaching history and WOW can be used for critical higher order thinking skills. If I were a high school teacher, I could see how this could entice students.
As an elementary teacher I too am a firm believer in creating a balance in my classroom with technology based learning and traditional teaching. In fact, I believe that technology should be used to enhance what we already teach not replace it. By enhancing our lessons we can draw our students further in with technology they are interested in and familiar with. For example rather than have my students create boring mission models, which we know their parents usually do, I had them create their missions in MineCraft! They loved it!
ReplyDeleteIn the past people have grown out of certain social media. Look at Myspace, It is not what it used to be. It is even starting to happen to facebook. Users are not liking how many ads are put on their website. People will move on when they see other people starting to go to alternative social media websites.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you Amber, that teaching needs a balance. I believe that all lessons can benefit from an addition of technology, but students still need that traditional teaching aspect of lessons. This is due to the fact that teachers can see what students are understanding and what they are not, which technology can not do. Also, technology does not have much personality, which students need to be engaged in lessons.
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