CNA - Speaking Exchange

Social Media in the Classroom

Every where you turn, people are looking at their phones, iPads, laptops and other digital devices to see the latest happenings on their social media accounts.  Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and many other sites are visited countless times each day.  Digital devices and social media have even invaded the classroom.  Students check their accounts under the desks or when teachers turn their backs to write on the board.  Teachers have two options.  They can fight for their students’ attention, or they can use social media as a tool for learning.  The purpose of this blog is to inform those who are teaching English as a second language that social media is an excellent tool to aid English language learning.  This blog will do the following:

•           Discuss benefits of using social media with a class

•           List a few of the most popular social media sites

•           Give examples of how to include social media in and out of the classroom

•           Address issues that may arise

•           Provide additional resources

How can social media benefit teachers and English language learners?

Social media is familiar and enjoyable.  Many students use social media because it is fun, entertaining, and interesting.  Incorporating it in the classroom may help keep students engaged.

Reading and writing opportunities are endless.  Students can practice reading English when teachers or classmates share stories, quotes, news, or any other information.  They can practice writing in English as they reply to posts, share personal experiences, or ask questions.

Technology skills can be developed.  Some students are not familiar with computers, internet, and social media.  As students participate with the class, they can develop skills that are useful and important for this day and age.

Social media encourages a sense of community.  The informal nature of social media helps students to feel comfortable to share personal opinions and experiences.  Shy students may feel more inclined to open up as well.  Students can go to each other for help.

Information can be shared instantly.  Teachers can quickly and easily share important details about schedules changes, assignments due, etc. Students do not have to wait to ask a question.  Most likely the teacher or peer will answer that question much sooner than the next class meeting.

What sites are popular?

Facebook is a site that connects people and various groups throughout the world.  Members write thoughts and opinions, tell personal experiences, share pictures, and comment on friends’ posts.

Twitter is a social media site where members share news, personal statuses, and more in short messages called “tweets.”  These tweets must be 140 characters or less, and they are sent to anyone who is following the person writing the tweet.   

Instagram connects people through photos.  An Instagram user can take a photo and change it with one of the tools provided by the application.  Cropping or applying a filter is a fun way to make unique photos to be shared with others.

YouTube is a platform that is used by billions of people around the globe.  Anyone who has access to a networked device can watch the posted videos.  Viewers do not have to create a membership; however, a Google account can be used in connection with YouTube so people can subscribe to their favorite channels.  If someone wants to post a video, they have to create their own channel.

Blogger is one of the many writing platforms that provides a virtual space for anyone to write longer messages about any topic.  A “blog” is like an online journal entry that can be about personal events, news around the world, recipes, education, sports, help topics, and more.  Readers can reflect and reply to blog posts.

What are some ideas for using these sites?

Facebook: ESL teachers could post a daily idiom.  Students could guess at the meaning.  Then teachers could give the proper meaning, an example of how the idiom is used, and the origination of the idiom.  Class members can “check-in” at different places they visit and discuss what they did.

Twitter: ESL teachers could tweet a vocabulary word of the day, and students could reply using that word in a sentence.  Teachers could post a famous quote, and the first student to tweet the author of the quote would get an extra credit point.  Teachers could also write fun trivia facts.

Instagram: ESL teachers could post pictures of famous places around the world and ask students to describe what they see in the photo.  Students could take pictures of the different ethnic foods they make, and they could share the recipes.

YouTube: ESL teachers could ask students to learn a new concept by viewing a video created by someone else.  The teacher could make his or her own videos for students to watch.  Students could search, watch, and subscribe to channels teaching ESL concepts, and then talk about those videos in class.

Blogger: ESL teachers could write about current events or important issues.  Teachers could write about strategies for learning English, time management skills, or ways to boost confidence when speaking English in a social context.  Students could use the blog to write about a topic that is of importance. The teacher could use the blog to post pertinent information related to the class curriculum.

What could go wrong?

Privacy: students enjoy getting to know their teachers.  Teachers can have fun and be informal with the students, but material posted by the teacher should be with the aim encourage English language learning.  Teachers should be selective about the personal information they share such as where they live and information about family.  Also, teachers should remind students that information they post on the website will be seen by many so they should be conscientious as they contribute.

Inappropriate or rude comments may be posted.  It is the responsibility of the teacher to monitor and to delete any offensive or inappropriate material.  Teachers could give the offending student one warning.   If the student committed a second offense, the teacher could revoke that student’s access to that social media group.

Time: in order for social media to be successful, teachers and students need to use it regularly.  The teacher will need to initiate conversation frequently and respond to students’ contributions until students feel comfortable enough to initiate interactions on their own.  On the other hand, social media can take up a lot of time.  Teachers should schedule a specific time each day for logging into and interacting with the students.

Some students may not want or be able to participate.  Some students may lack the knowledge and experience with social media accounts.  This could be a great opportunity to teach important technology skills; however, teachers should be ready to help outside of class time.  Some students may not have access to digital devices.  Teachers could refer students to the library or other places where free access is available.  Other students may frown upon social media.  Instead of making social media a mandatory component; teachers could give extra credit to students who participate.  The teacher could give other extra credit opportunities to those who chose not to participate with the social media groups. 

Where can a teacher learn more?

Most social media sites have an about or help page that explains the purpose of the site, answers common questions, and explains the rules of usage.

The British Council (http://esol.britishcouncil.org/resources/blogging-elt) gives more information on how to use a blog with an ESL classroom.

100 Ways You Should Be Using Facebook in Your Classroom (http://www.onlinecollege.org/2009/10/20/100-ways-you-should-be-using-facebook-in-your-classroom/)

For all the update news concerning social media, visit http://mashable.com/social-media/>

Eight Ways to Use Video with English Language Learners (http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ell-engagement-using-video-larry-ferlazzo-katie-hull-sypnieski)

The use of social media in the ESL classroom can be useful, innovative and fun.  The opportunities are endless.  Please feel free to try the ideas above.  I would love to hear about your experiences with these or any other ideas.  Also, feel free to share other resources.