Learning and Social Media

In an age where our simplest daily tasks are broadcasted for all to see it’s hard to understand how social media can be a positive thing. However, many schools are now using these social media outlets to their advantage, connecting with professional networks on a global scale using these social media sites as a tool and additional resources for valuable information that can be shared in the classroom. (Baxter, 2014) Most of all, through sites like Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and many others we can connect and communicate instantaneously with people who we may have never had a chance of meeting before and who we may never actually meet with face-to-face. As long as you spend the time and are interested in making the most out of these tools you will get out of them what you put into them, and so will others. We learn from others and others will learn from us.

I absolutely feel that this way of teaching is worthwhile and will improve education in the future. This is also an area where it seems the students are becoming experts at navigating before the teacher, at this time, however it’s the teacher who guides the student to use them to their ultimate educational benefit. Let’s look at one of the most popular sites, Youtube. On you tube you can find videos on just about anything, but it doesn’t mean that the information being provided in the video is correct. As part of a Physical Education (PE) assignment I could student to find a video that demonstrates sprinting techniques. In this video I can have them analyze the video and describe what is correct and what is incorrect with the performance in the video, based on the information we used in class. Another option could be for a math class where students can find videos on new way to remember a formula in order to complete a problem and share it with the class via a classroom blog or Facebook page.

As teachers we need to move with the times and help our students teach us what they know in order for us to combine that with what we know!

Resources

Baxter, A. M. (2014, May). Social Media Fosters Professional Learning and Collaboration. Learning and Leading .

Assistive Technology and Devices

Assistive Technology/Assistive Devices

In an article written by Kelly Ahrens that was published in the November 2011 issue of Learning and Leading the author goes into detail on how teachers and schools can build a network of assistive technology for their special needs students. “I encourage students, parents and educators to advocate for assistive technology service” (Ahrens, 2011) Ahrens doesn’t just encourage those interested to be advocates, but to take it further and build AT toolkits along with the help of the school IT department in order to better assist those with special needs. (Ahrens, 2011)

Today we are all about the apps (software applications) for our devices and the best part about some apps is that they are completely free. There are also app’s that may have a charge but odds are it’s worth it whatever it is. Apps are relatively new and have exploded in the last few years. There are many apps that are already uploaded in our operating systems (OS) on many computers already (Ahrens, 2011) you just need to know how to access them. Apps can help us with many different limitations whether it’s a talk to text app or a visual app that enlarges items on the screen for those with visual impairments.

Having every students computer enabled with a wide variety of applications in order to meet specific needs will not only help the students complete the activities the teacher has assigned but also improve their self-esteem and feelings of being a part of the class. When students are happy and can keep up with the rest of the class when their special needs are met the teacher can therefore teach his or her entire lesson and then go around to those who need help understanding the material and not just helping those with special needs complete the assignment, with the proper apps if they already understand what it to be done they can now have the tools in order to complete it.

Works Cited

Ahrens, K. (2011, November). Build an Assistive Technology Toolkit. Learning and Leading , 22-23.

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Well here it is! I know you all have been sitting on the edge of your seats awaiting for this arrival but you can relax now. I have started my own blog. Here you will find useful information about reading reflections, physical education, fitness, digital citizenship, my path to changing lives, and probably some more stuff you really don't care about!