Journal 3: The Case for Social Media in Schools

In her article, The Case for Social Media in Schools, Sarah Kessler, features writer for the website Mashable, introduces the reader to Elizabeth Delmatoff. Delmatoff is a seventh grade teacher who has successfully implemented social media in her classroom. This comes at a time when critics argue that children need to be protected from the dangers attributed to social media. On the contrary, Delmatoff was able to bring an about-face to her school's declining statistics by creating a "Facebook-like forum" that evolved into a "social media component for almost every subject."

Delmatoff offers six reasons why more schools should accept rather than reject the use of social media in the classroom:

1. Social media is not going away
2. When kids are engaged, they learn better
3. Safe Social Media Tools Are Available — And They’re Free
4. Replace Online Procrastination with Social Education
5. Social Media Encourages Collaboration Instead of Cliques
6. Cell phones aren't the enemy

In the not-to-distant past, schools banned access to the Internet. Nowadays, classrooms have wireless access points! Delmatoff states that social media, like the Internet, is here to stay. "Don't fight a losing battle," she adds. Social media creates the opportunity to motivate students which, in turn, helps them to become better learners. As for the critics who worry about student safety, Delmatoff suggests social media tools that offer control and oversight at no cost. Additionally, Delmatoff's social media forum drew students away from Facebook and MySpace where they would be "talking trash," and directed them to more productive work. Social media in the classroom prepares the student for collaboration in the workplace, Delmatoff explains. And lastly, rather than ban student cell phones like some schools do, Delmatoff uses the technology to reach out to students. For instance, she uses texting to curb absenteeism.

Should social media be banned from schools or should it be used as part of their curriculum? Student safety has been a concern since before the advent of social media or the internet. Some critics view social media as a potential risk to students' well-being, I agree with Delmatoff and see it as an opportunity to introduce yet another modality into an instructor's skill set; taking advantage of properties unique to social media.

Kessler, S. (2010, September 29). The Case For Social Media in Schools. Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://mashable.com/2010/09/29/social-media-in-school/