Classroom Integration of Social Media and Digital Literacy Tools.

The 2018 Classroom Experience

Social media in the classroom can be controversial, but it needs to be understood that this is our students' primary generational social language. One of the reasons drivers licenses among teens is delayed, and acquired at lower rates than in the past, is both the advent and flourishing of social media. The close connections students have online have replaced a good portion of social interaction that used to take place only in person (and born in 1972, my generation's venue was voice phone calls).

Particularly with online bullying becoming an increasing (and violent) issue, proper and positive use of social media in the classroom might be the very practice missing to both model and instruct proper use of the medium. The defining ingredient to this, however, is the knowledge and experience of the teacher. There are still many adults who are jaded - or simply unfamiliar - with social media. In addition, youth culture rarely if ever uses FaceBook - preferring Kik, SnapChat, Instagram and other platforms for their primary digital social connections. These should be used by any teachers instructing 3rd grade and up to properly understand their students' world. Anything else is arrogance, in my opinion (and I am also a mother to a 20, 17, and almost-12-year-old).

Collaborative productivity tools are the meat and potatos of new literacies: they facilitate learning, processes, and relationships among students. These are no longer optional in the classroom in 2018 - they are necessary for efficiency as well as being educated in similar tools of today's current world labor market. To neglect these tools is to hinder oneself as a teacher, as well as one's students future success. While I was already aware of this in theory, this course has taken me to new heights of awareness and appreciation for the wealth and variety of tools and platforms available (as well as their value). It has created a permanent change in me that I find necessary both for my teaching career, and understanding of youth - something I am quite grateful for.

If I had the ability, I would make this a required course for every teacher. This course involves not trivial tricks - but the very language our students speak, one in which - unfortunately - many teachers are resistant to embrace. Not only that - it takes work to discover, find, and experience these valuable tools. Without this course, I am unsure I would have found them.