The Social Media - A Double Edged Sword
This afternoon we discussed social media. I feel like social media is really a double edged sword. It is good in so many ways. We can keep in touch with many family and friends far and wide, but at the same time many people feel more disconnected than ever. It was mentioned in class that depression is at an all time high in older adults, those over 55. It wasn't mentioned in class but teen suicide rates are also on the rise. It is important to understand how our students use social media. It is a good relationship builder to assume the best when students are using social media by asking, "Are you ok?" first, before assuming they are just not paying attention. This simple question can open up doors where students are more willing to confide in us if they know we genuinely care and chances are they will have an issue at some time with social media and need the support of a caring teacher who understands and is not critical.
I have avoided facebook. For me personally there are so many other things I would rather do with my time than scroll through "picture perfect" lives. I would rather be out having my own adventures than trying to compare myself to what others are doing. I do have an instagram account which I use to post to my family and close friends and I enjoy this simplified social media. Before today, I had never considered that it might be important for me as a teacher to claim my own facebook page even if I never really use it.
Twitter was a social media avenue I had never explored personally. I am excited to use this outlet to find great teaching ideas and to find what is being taught and produced by other classrooms throughout the world. The hashtag search can direct me to ideas for lessons I am going to teach about. I don't have to reinvent the wheel for every single lesson. It provides a global connection to see how others are teaching the same material and what is working well with their students. When I was younger it was exciting to write and book and "publish" it, which really meant just writing or typing it very neatly and making a cover and maybe having a mom sew stitching down the middle for the binding. In today's digital age, students can be legitimately published authors, authors that have a world wide audience. The can write persuasive book reviews and connect directly with an author. What an exciting concept.
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