Social Networking in the Classroom

More and more students are bringing their own technology into the classroom. More than once we have heard a story about a student or a teacher acting inappropriately in the classroom, and having it taped on a cell phone. or students using twitter or cell phones to cheat on tests ?Just like anything else, there are pros and cons to anything, and much of the uproar seems to come from teachers and parents who either do not use the technology, or do not understand it, and see it as something negative.

To me, it is fairly simple. The technology is “out there”, it is easily available, and is becoming more and more affordable. More and more young people are using them, and the technology, like any other, will advance weather teachers like it or not. Like any other thing, children will learn how to use it responsibly or irresponsibly. Shouldn’t teachers consider it to be their jobs (by definition) to teach students how to use it responsibly? The possibilities seem endless, certainly more than what most students seem to be using Twitter for: simple mundane messages, gossip, and (apparently) cheating.

To me it seems important that students should be directed and instructed upon issues (and technology) ESPECIALLY if they are controversial and maybe even looked down upon. After all, in addition to teaching Twitter uses, everyone knows that the stigma of anything goes away when adults accept it and start to use it.

–Bryan