Social Media in the Classroom...a message to parents.

To be honest, this assignment required citing journal articles with research to support my argument that social media belongs in the classroom.  While research more often than not is important, when it comes to the safety of my children and the children I teach, it's a matter of the heart.  I have to listen to what feels right.  In this case you may be surprised to hear that I feel social media belongs in the classroom.  It is our responsibility as adults to integrate social media into the classroom because it is all around us, it has become a part of who we are, it shares our identity and it is the future of social interaction.  If we don't integrate it into the classroom, in a safe forum that is private, where we can monitor it's use, provide guidance and give feedback, then our children, when they are introduced to social media won't know the appropriate way to use it.  They won't grasp the risk, understand the potential for harm, foresee the damage it can cause.  Like everything we teach in school social media lessons should have structure, guidelines, safety features and a plan for success.  That means helping students become responsible users in a safe and private forum sheltered from the public but open to each other, teachers and parents.  I hope you agree that now, together we can help shape the kind of social media users your children become by allowing them to participate in our classroom social media group.  The group is a Facebook group that is open by invitation only.  Parents as well as students are invited to participate.  Group members and their roles will be visible so everyone will have a clear understanding who is participating.  Please be aware that in order to be invited each potential user will need to be a member of Facebook.  Please let me know if you have questions or concerns you would like to discuss.   To find our social media page, follow this web address: facebook.com/groups/career.stories