To Twitter or not to Twitter....


Social media is a point of contention in my home. I live with teenagers...I'm not going to sugar coat it. Yes I have Facebook, yes I have an Instagram account (not that I post much of anything). I even have Snapchat, but only to message my kids because let's be real, they are on their phones a lot more than anyone these days. They rely on social media to get through their day, which is mind boggling to me!! I don't believe that children should be on their devices as much as they are. Human connection is SO important. But here we are...so we might as well try to embrace it, right?

As I am quickly approaching my teaching career I will be using technology more and more. And with the responsibility of educating children I will also be required to learn how to use different technology in order to stay informed, myself. I will need to convey information to my students, as well as their parents daily, with the use of smart boards, email, and many other technological programs (for example Google Classroom, Canva and Plickers just to name a few). Students will, in many cases, teach ME how to use technology. We will be growing together and staying connected for the sake of education. 

I believe social media has a purpose. I am not completely opposed, I just feel that there is a time and a place to use it. I have heard that teachers have created Twitter accounts to connect with their students and seeing as teens are constantly on their phones what a great way to relate with them. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Forming meaningful relationships with our students is an important part of what we will be doing as educators. I will let them teach me how to use devices and apps and different social media platforms and we will learn in a way that benefits all of us. 

I know that technology will continue to evolve whether we like it or not. It's not all bad! But it's not all good, either. We just need to embrace the benefits of technology and the app world, and turn it into a positive, using appropriate platforms that help us build relationships and educate our students. 

 https://twitter.com/home

Comments

  1. Lily PhamSeptember 25, 2023 at 12:45 PM

    I love how you are open to the idea of using social media in your practice. I also agree that human connection is important especially in this day in age. I'm excited to see how you will try to incorporate technology into your practice and how your student and yourself can learn from each other.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Let's get digital!

Image
A s an educator, it is my duty as per the TQS, to upstand a level of education that ensures all students are seen, heard and represented in my classroom. I was pleased to take a closer look at the Tsuut'ina First Nation high school last week! It was such an interesting experience to see the dedication that the teachers and admin have on preserving their culture. I decided to look into a school a little farther from my home here in Alberta, and check out a school that was in a town next to the one that I grew up in. The Opaskwayak Cree Nation is located next to the North Saskatchewan River, near The Pas, Manitoba. It was fun to take a look at a school that I have never seen, but in a town that is so memorable for me. I hope, one day, to be able to go see the schools that they have built, and I hope that it is similar to the ones we were able to tour here, just outside of Calgary. I appreciate the Indigenous culture so much more everyday, and I strive to preserve their heritage and c...
Read more

Scratch the Code: Scratch in the classroom

Image
 Coding is a skill that many people know nothing about. In my mind coding is a string of 1's and 0's that create a program (thank you high school for the skill I never used again!). So similar to computer programing, coding is a way to create their own computer game or interactive collage. They love it! In a world where 99% of children have used some form of technology to interact with online gaming, why not teach the nitty gritty, the how's and the why's?? Using programs like  Scratch  will give students a deeper understanding of the devices they use, and what it takes to create the games they play. In terms of the 5E learning model, video games get a gold star for ENGAGING children! They are the ones who explore, and it is now our job to explain and elaborate, to teach them HOW the game works the way it does. And while most of us are far from being computer programmers, Scratch allows us to learn, ourselves, and teach the basics of coding to our students in fun ways. ...
Read more

Lookit it's Blooket!!!

Image
    It's crazy to me how far we've come with technology. When I was a child, learning and reviewing was all done on paper. I know the teachers did their best to make learning fun, but what a world we live in now! To be able to create a summative review and every student gets to play a fun and interactive game while they're learning is amazing!! Everything about Blooket was fun. The music, the characters, the interaction...Adults loved is so kids will eat it up!!  I found Blooket very easy to use. It is an app that offers questions and games that are already created for a quick and easy review of many subjects, but it also allows educators to create their own sets of questions, and create their own games. Which is great for differentiating or creating something unique for your students!! I could easily use this app not only for math, but vocabulary for any subject, science concepts (maybe a "which one doesn't belong"), or just some fun trivia to keep students o...
Read more