Social Media in education opinions?

[unijaw]

How do you feel about social media being used in education?
Such as facebook?
Would you like to see kids friending teachers so they can ask for help at later hours?
Would you like to see kids working on homework together via skype?
Any thoughts on this issue are much appreciated.

[Awa Awa]

KONEY 2012

[Victoria]

The use of social media for businesses, organizations, and education seems to have pros and cons. On one hand, technology and computers has become an aspect of everyday life for children, so it might be helpful to incorporate learning into the social equation. On the other hand, combining social media after hours, teachers, and students might be a privacy violation and lead to trouble. Perhaps if another type of website were to exist (maybe it already does) that has the same capabilities as facebook and skype but that specifically is targeted towards education, then this would be safer and possibly helpful.

It doesn't seem necessary. Now, tutoring via skype might be an option. Or to create some sort of chat forum for the class. Because of the nature of facebook though, I would definitely keep students and teachers separate.

[mikewill70]

Hey Unijaw

I think it's fine for kids to work together via skype but don't find it social media. Social media is a place where your message is going to go live to everyone on the web. Like a comment on FB or twitter. I don't see how skype qualifies in this instance.

Teacher and students can be friends but maybe a better option is for the students to friend the school or get the teachers work email. Personal relationships between students and teachers is monitored and friending students would mix the teachers personal and professional lives. I see complications there.

School phone numbers, work email addresses or maybe even a school intranet give students more than enough options for communicating with teachers.