As technology is changing, so is the classroom and the oppotunities for diverse learning. One technology that is emerging in today's schools is called Social Computing (Social Networking). Social Computing is a "software that allows people to come together around an idea or topic of interest" (Smith 2007). With this development, many different websites have emerged using this type of network. For example:
These are just a few of the numerous examples on the web. Any site that uses an idea and allows lamens (students) to comment or expand on the knowledge or upload pictures around a common focus would be social networking/social computing.
A term that is also commonly associated with social computing is Web 2.0, which is a term that stands for the ever-changing way that people are using the internet to communicate and share ideas with one another. This encompasses videos, blogs, e-mail, social networking sites, and many more. The world of technology is always growing and changing and Web 2.0 is just going to get more and more popular. Soon it will become easier and much more affordable for everyone.
For other useful information about Web 2.0 from other Technology for educators students, click here.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATORS?
The question that is important to understand about social computing is: If new technologies are created that allow students an easier way to comprehend information, would you use it? I'm sure most teachers would answer this question with a resounding yes. This is important because with social computing, students are learning how to communicate over a medium other than face-to-face communication, but they are learning how to work collaboratively over the internet. According to Todd Bryant, of Educause Quaterly, "these tools can expand discussion beyond the classroom and provide new ways for students to collaborate and communicate within their class or around the world" (November 2006). Therefore, these tools have numerous implications and each can be used to enhance the learning environment as well as the learning inside the students.
Perhaps one of the most important reasons why we as future teachers should integrate these types of communication media in our classroom is because the students of the future (our students) will be well adapted to the internet, and they don't understand what life would be like without those technologies. They are the digital generation and it is our responsibility to integrate and use the technologies that are best for them to learn.
According to Fran Smith, from Edutopia, "schools should reflect the world we live in today. And we live in a social world. We need to teach students how to be effective collaborators in that world, how to interact with people around them, how to be engaged, informed twenty-first-century citizens. We need to teach kids the powerful ways networking can change the way they look at education, not just their social lives."
Etiquette
Before we begin and talk about how the different social computing software can be used in the classroom, it is important to understand etiquette. As teachers, our standard of professional is important. According to an article by Lenzi Hart, "one must remember that if you wish to interact with students on MySpace or Facebook, you must exercise professional and maintain the same personal boundaries that you implement in the classroom...Nothing should be on that page that you would not proudly display to your principle or super-intendent." However, this relates to all the other sites as well. We should be held at the highest standard when it comes to using these sites because we are teachers; we should be professional and make sure we are setting a good example.
Too many individuals don't understand that when you post something on the internet it is there, you can't normally go back. Therefore, individuals must become familiar with etiquette.
Copyright
In education and many other professions it is important to know, understand, and respect current copyright laws. These laws need to be followed at all times, even though it might be easier to ignore them. As a teacher, and in many other professions, it is the responsibility of the individual to know, respect, and follow copyright laws. This will set a good example for others to follow as well as avoiding any theft or lawsuits that might result of neglecting the laws. Copyright laws are in place to protect an individual's property but also to inspire new ideas from other individuals.
Using MySpace,Facebook, and Twitter in the Classroom:
Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter are growing at a fast rate, and more and more students are using them for own personal use. But, how can teachers use them in their classroom? Most importantly, after signing up for these sites, make sure you are practicing good etiquette. After that the implications are huge. One way these sites are used in the classroom, specifically MySpace and Facebook, is that students can chat with their teacher about homework assignments and can ask them to explain something more if class is not in session. Also all these sites allow discussions to occur. On Twitter, students can post their ideas about a specific topic and then discussion can be held in the classroom on each persons different posts. This is one way that a school at the University of Texas is using Twitter. On MySpace and Facebook, notes/blogs can be created on a specific idea/concept and other students in the class can comment and have a discussion. To make sure these things happen, then a teacher can grade these discussions, which will help students acutally do these things.
Practice a foreign language using the Chat mechanism, or by sending messages (also applicable to MySpace)
Becoming fans of politicians and becoming familiar with their platform (great for Government classes and other political science courses)
Using different applications, such as a typing application that gives your words per minute. Then you can challenge your friends
Creating different applications to enhance learning.
Each of these sites allow students to create a social environment that not only encourages dialogue, but also creates a great opportunity for those students who are shy to actually participate. These sites empower the students and integrating them in the classroom could greatly aid in learning.
Using Flickr in the classroom:
Flickr is a photosharing website that allows students and teachers to post pictures. This obviously has implications for the Art teacher. In an article by the Illinois Education and Technology Conference, they discuss the uses of Flickr in the classroom. Some include:
Creating virtual field trips
Documentation of school events
Demonstrates how to tag a photo and make constructive comments
Create posters for school events.
There are many uses for Flickr. In a photography classroom, students can post their pictures and then a teacher can project it on a screen and then students can critique it. Also, a teacher could have students use this to create an online portfolio for the students, so when they graduate either high school or college, then they have their progress recorded on this site.
Using Wikis in the Classrooms:
Explaining a wiki can be a difficult task, but in its simplest form, a wiki is a type of software that allows individuals all around the world to create, edit, and add information about a specific topic. It allows individuals to collaborate and expand on information. There are many uses of a wiki in a classroom. Perhaps the greatest use of a wiki is for group projects. Wikis allow students to actually work on a project without actually ever meeting. This can eliminate the frustration that arises when a group never has an open time where everyone can come together. A wiki allows students to post their ideas and thoughts and the next person can edit that information, expand on that information, and create their own information. A teacher can then grade this wiki and see who posted what information and if one student didn't post anything, then their grade can be altered to reflect that.
Teachers can also create a classroom wiki, where the teacher can post all the original information, then students can expand on that information. Students can then create a classroom discussion before a test and can ask other students and the teacher about that information and create a study guide. Much like this textbook on this site, students and teachers alike contribute to learning.
Wikis definitely arouse excitement and interactive ways for students to learn. Throughout my teaching reading class, I've learned that teachers must find creative and innovative ways to adapt to students and their technological needs and using a wiki is a great way to do this.
For other exciting information about Wikis, click here.
Using Blogs in the Classroom:
According to Teaching Today, blogs are simply "a Web publishing tool that allows authors to quickly and easily self-publish text, artwork, links to other blogs or Web sites, and a whole array of other content." These tools are a great way to enhance communication among students and teachers. There are many other benefits as well. Teaching Today futher notes that blogs help "motivate students (especially those who wouldn't normally participate in discussion), promote reading and writing, promote discussion, and provides scaffolded learning." As a future teacher, I understand the importance of scaffolded learning and for students they constantly need assistance and this could greatly benefit those students.
So what are the uses of blogs in a classroom? There are many, some including:
Discussion: In my area, speech and debate, I could post a discussion topic and then I could have the students debate the topic and I could make each student responsible for at least one post, which I could grade. Any kind of teacher could do this. Anything that requires a lot of discussion, a blog could be used.
Classroom Management: Research suggests that the number one reason why teachers quit after their first year of teaching is classroom management. Therefore, anything that can help aid in this is a step in the right direction. Blogs could be used to post information, upcoming events/homework assignments, and can create a time where students can ask the teacher questions about a homework assignment, test, etc.
Collaboration: Blogs can encourage students to work together to come to a common goal.
The use of blogs in a classroom are important and we, as teachers, need to find the best use of them in our classroom. They adapt to our students needs and can greatly aid in learning.
Blogging 101: This information was created by other technology for educators students.
Using Podcasts in the Classroom:
According to Palomar College, "Podcasts are audio files that are automatically delivered directly to your desktop computer, and can be transferred to your iPod or other MP3 player." There are many uses of podcasts in a classroom. One big use is that teachers can record their lectures and post them on the internet. This can do many things. First, it can help students who are absent and want to hear what happened. This helps alliviate time that a teacher has to give to students who are absent and can open up time that teachers can give to others. And secondly, this can help students who want to hear something again and disect the information further.
Another use of podcasts are that a teacher can assign a student a specific concept and have them record themselves teaching the concept. This not only helps adapt to the digital generation, but it encourages critical thinking.
For my classroom in speech and theatre, I could use podcasts to have students tape themselves giving a speech, post it, and then have the students listen and give feedback. This is a create way in teaching the GLE that talks about having students give feedback and respond to feedback.
Another use is that students can interview someone and post it. This is benefitual for anyone in any area in education because these can be used in the future. Interviewing someone, that relates to the concept being taught can greatly enhance learning because it helps relate and create an application to the students lives.
Podcasts 101: For other valuable information about podcasts, click the link to see what other SBU students have said.
Other Useful Information about Social Computing:
User Created Content: This page includes information about UCC sites, where to find UCC sites, and how one can use UCC sites.
Handheld Devices: This page describes types of handheld devices and how these handheld devices can be used in a classroom.
CLOSING:
All in all, teachers must find ways to adapt to the digital generation. With social computing, many opportunities are given to students. Using MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Wikis, Blogs, and Podcasts are all familiar ways that are being embraced by teachers all across America. It is our responsibility to help students and guide students in their learning and these ways can be used to accomplish that. Try to find innovative and creative ways to use these types of technologies because they all can greatly contribute to your classroom.
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