My reaction to Davis' and Provenzo's articles

In the article by Davis she asks if social media is relevant in the classroom.  There is a myth about Social Media that if used, learners will not pay attention in class and rather be on Facebook, Snapchat or Tweeting while you are trying to teach. The article suggests to not mistake social media for socializing and that there exists a definite extinction between these two. Recommending to not even use real social media by introducing Fakebook and FakeTweet to use writing techniques and other competencies to enhance learning through social media.

Davis suggests there are 12 ways teachers are using social media in the classroom right now.

1. Tweet as a class for parents to read.
2. Writing blog posts about what students are learning.
3. Students can write for the world.
4. Connecting to other classrooms using social media,
5. Using Facebook to get feedback for online projects.
6. Using YouTube to host a show or podcast.
7. Twitter accounts for special interest projects.
8. Using social media to ask questions and engage students in authentic learning.
9. Communicate with other classrooms.
10. Create projects with other teachers.
11. Share learning with the world.
12. Furthering a cause that the students care about e.g. saving the rhinos.

It is clear that social media cannot be ignored in the classroom as it has become such a big part of everyday life that it would be ignorant to ignore the technological changes that are happening around us.

Provenzo argues that social media is about alternative ways to communicate and that there are so many great tools that allow us to connect. He has used some medias as a teacher to connect with his students when the school day is over: Remind, Twitter, Instagram and blogging.

Remind allows teachers to create a group that students can join on their mobile devices. The teacher can then send text messages to groups of students without anyone having access to other students’ numbers. It’s one-way communication. This is ideal since groups can become quite annoying when everyone replies and asks unnecessary questions regarding to the reader.

Twitter is used by Provenzo to announce the day’s homework and sharing random thoughts and ideas. Students can even use Twitter to share something they came across after school and enhance learning through engagement with other students.

Using Instagram for teaching is much more relaxing and activities such as scavenger hunts where students post photos of their findings and use a certain hashtag.

Davis and Provenzo proved that when one thinks initiatively and critically one can engage social media to ensure that learners are educated on a fun and holistic manner that brings into account the all so fast changing technological environment.