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Social Media in the School
Motivation+Engagement+Rigor=Student Success
March, 2013
Greetings!

Social media is at the forefront of education today.  This issue is a bit different, in that it focuses on how schools should address social media concerns.  I believe strongly that decisions should be made collaboratively, but that overall policies about social media use should also be consistent across schools and districts.   

 

My friend, Ron Williamson, who is an expert in leadership and social media, contributed all the information except the tips for teachers.  You'll find the information pertinent, and be sure to check out his website for more information, as well as taking a look at his book for school leaders-School Leader's Guide to Social Media (under recommended resources).    

 

I was busy in February, leading workshops for leaders and teachers in upstate New York, North Carolina, St. Louis, and Texas. It's always invigorating to talk with educators; you inspire me daily!

   

Remember, you'll find activity templates, articles, podcasts, and more information about my presentations and books on my blog or on my website. No registration required, and they are all free!

Finally, who do you know who might benefit from this newsletter?  Please forward it to them and remind them they make a difference, just like you do.

Barbara
Social Media in a Crisis 

 

Social media like Facebook and Twitter have become sources of quick information during a crisis. For me, this took a personal twist earlier this year.  Two years ago, my husband and I took in a foster son.  When he died in a car accident on January 1, we learned of the news on Facebook, 24 hours before the newspaper or TV news identified him.  Many schools use social media to communicate with families and they can be valuable tools during a crisis, but it's important to be aware of the positive and negative aspects.  Also, be sure to follow any school and district policies regarding social media. 

 

Tips for Using Social Media During a Crisis 

  • Recognize the speed of social media. Families may hear from students immediately and know that something has occurred. Be prepared to respond quickly and accurately.
  • Always make social media message-driven. Don't let emotions drive the message.
  • Keep messages brief and pertinent. Most people are scanning messages.
  • Make sure you listen as well as respond. Remember that people use social media to comment and ask questions. Have a plan for responding.
  • Respond honestly and authentically and always provide accurate information.
  • Plan to use social media to correct inaccuracies or respond to rumors.
  • People expect regular updates. Plan to post messages regularly.

Principal's Perspective

 

Future Trends in Social Media: Implications for School Leaders

  1. It's all about access, access, access. Virtually everything you need is available in the Cloud; you just need to make sure that students and teachers can get to it.
  2. Relations with the IT Department are more critical than ever. Centrally made decisions can have a profound impact on whether or not your teachers can access and use the incredible resources available online.
  3. There is always tension between access and security, but total restrictions seldom work. The more appropriate approach is to educate people about acceptable use, legal and ethical issues, and safety and security when using social media.
  4. You can't possibly stay up-to-date with everything in social media, so share responsibility and authority for innovation with an "innovation team" of teachers in your school. Maybe include a few students who may know more than any of you
  5. Social media technology can save precious resources and extend learning opportunities. Understand its use so that you can allocate money and other resources to tap into this valuable resource.
  6. Stay out in front but don't get too far ahead of your community. Use every opportunity to educate families and the broader community about social media. Chances are many of them are using it daily.
 
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Tips for Using Social Media in the Classroom 

Follow all school and district policies. 

Creating "fake" Facebook pages are a creative idea for research.  You can see samples and learn about creating your own here.

Use closed groups such as nings to structure online class discussions.  

Always have a learning goal.  Social media is just a tool to support your instruction. 

Skypes or video calls are a great way to bring an "expert" into your classroom.  Make it interactive by surveying your students in advance, providing advance questions, and allowing follow-up questions.  Also ask your "expert" to follow up with a blog entry or tweet.

Set up a class blog for book reviews or literature responses.  You might find a partner class to join in.

Engage in the activities with your students.  Social Media is not a solo experience.

Set clear boundaries and guidelines, including appropriate privacy settings. 

Keep parents in the loop so there are no surprises! 

  

Recommended Resources     

10 Real World Ways Schools are Using Social Media