Reflection #5

It was really interesting to read about the advantages and benefits of using social media in education and inside classrooms. I strongly agree that schools can use social media to organize group projects, communicate with students outside of class, share resources, and much more. In addition, social media has the potential to connect schools to the wider community. I currently work as a substitute teacher for LAUSD. Recently, I taught at Diego Rivera Learning Complex- Green Design High School, where I saw a great example of how social media is used. Students in the media production club record videos throughout the week and share school news every Friday. This activity helps students get involved and be creative while making videos. Students also use Instagram to share school news and promote different clubs. One important point mentioned in the readings is that teachers must act as responsible and attentive administrators to prevent and address inappropriate behavior. I completely agree with this because it is essential to monitor students’ activity on online platforms to prevent cyberbullying and the use of inappropriate content or language. We want to ensure that these online spaces remain safe and supportive environments where students feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions.

I also found it interesting to learn about using Pinterest as a teaching tool. I would like to see examples of how teachers use it effectively and how students can use it for learning inside and outside the classroom. I would definitely use social media platforms like these in my classroom to give students the chance to express themselves and feel empowered.