Social Media in the Classroom

The question has been posed of "Do you think social media can be used effectively in the classroom." My answer is a clear and resounding NO.

If "social media" is referring to Facebook and Twitter, then I believe teachers should completely avoid using it with students. I have heard so many stories of teachers misusing the social media and putting themselves in compromising situations. Even something that was conceived innocently can be morphed into something inappropriate. A teacher should never put his/herself in a position that could be seen as unprofessional.

In my school corporation, it is HIGHLY suggested that a teacher not "friend" or "follow" a student until graduation. Even ending up in pictures with students on Facebook could possibly dock points in our evaluation in "Core Professionalism." I believe there are other ways to incorporate "social media" in a safer way than Facebook and Twitter.

My Big Campus is basically an academic Facebook. However, it keeps the students and teachers in a safer environment. Flesh -tone filters and "flags" allow moderators to keep inappropriate materials off the site. Teachers and students can contact one another, but EVERYTHING can be seen by an outside source, if necessary. This adds another level of accountablity to everyone involved.

I understand that teachers and students can communicate on social media with the best of intentions, but sometimes it just best to keep school life and home life completely separate.