Social Networking in School - Jasmine

Social Networking in School

Is it really necessary for social networking sites to be blocked at school? Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter are an example of social networking sites, but are they really a distraction to students? Or are they ways of helping us broaden our opinions and perspectives? Teachers and adults tend to think of the negative aspects about using social networking sites for education. Despite all the hype about it not being useful or productive, students should be able to use social networking sites in school.

            Technology is changing the way we learn, and it is right at our fingertips so why not take advantage of it? Students use social networking cites on a regular basis every day. We can use these sites to help broaden our perspectives on subjects. For example, on Facebook students can update their status on a subject that they are writing for an essay. So then others, like family members and friends can comment on that status with their thoughts. They can oppose an idea or thought and help view a subject differently. It gives you a fresh look on things. For example, the principal of New Milford High School, in New Jersey un-banned the use of social networks. He has a Twitter account specifically designed to connect with his staff and students. He has over 12,000 students following him. He and teachers now use Facebook and other social networking sites to communicate with the students. By using social networking sites, students are taking education and stretching it beyond their limits (Toppo).

            Social networking is usually considered a waste of time and known as a distraction and makes you less social. But social networks are actually making us more social and involved with our teachers. We can ask teachers via Facebook or Twitter on something that has to deal with an essay or a question about an algebraic problem. In turn this makes what they are doing more convenient and helpful to them (Lederer).

Or if you are like me and already asked a question to a teacher, but you still did not acquire what you were looking for, you can ask a student or another teacher through a site. If a certain class has a lot of discussions and you are a shy, quiet person like I am; a teacher instead can have you tweet or update a status on Facebook about what you think on the subject. Then your grade does not have to drop because you did not participate in the activity. In turn, social networking sites help your grades.

            It is the weekend and you haven’t touched your homework yet and it is approaching Monday but you don’t know when the assignment is due or what your essay is supposed to be about. But instead of worrying, you can just log onto Facebook, go to the school’s page or group that your teacher has created. And it will have the subject, due date, and any instructions for that assignment (Bamieh). You are more clued into your education. Because students are already on Facebook every day, and it is installed on your phone which makes it more convenient.

            Social networks make networking easy. Classrooms can use sites like Skype or Facebook video to discuss and collaborate on projects with other schools throughout the state or even outside your country. This can reflect a student’s communication skill greatly. You can also use Skype to communicate with students that were not able to go on a trip with their fellow classmates because they couldn’t afford it or for other reasons. Other sites like YouTube have very good information in their videos and can explain a subject better than a teacher can on occasion. For example, when I was in my Algebra class (which isn’t my best subject), I could never comprehend the math problems. The teacher would explain to the class how to do our next subject, and I could never learn easily like the other students. So I would ask for help again, but still have no clue how to do it. So when I would get home and start on my homework, I would go onto YouTube and search the subject that the class and I were learning. Which for the most case, helped me a lot more than a teacher has. The video made it more helpful to learn the subject better rather than being in the physical classroom with the teacher there. And it’s easier for me because if I didn’t get it, I can replay the video multiple times until I do instead of constantly asking the teacher for help while others needed help too. The site was also easy to navigate (Bamieh).

Students’ use of social networking sites can help them find employment. There are professional businesses that have Facebook pages where they can update new opportunities for students and important developments for that field of job. Twitter has job openings and internships that are broadcasted by alumni associations and college career centers (Lederer).

Despite how social networking sites are distracting for students and disrespectful to teachers, I think they should not be blocked in schools. It may seem as if the negative aspects of using social networking sites in class outweigh the positives, but they are helpful to a student’s education. It may help them learn a subject better than a teacher can teach them, it stretches their limits on their education and helps view a subject through multiple views, broadening the way they learn and think.

Works Cited

Bamieh, M. "8 Ways to Use Social Networks in the Classroom." 8 Ways to Use Social Networks in the Classroom. N.p., 21 Jan. 2010. (“Web”) 15 Oct. 2012.

Lederer, Karen. "Campus Technology." Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Classroom --. N.p., 19 Jan. 2012. (“Web”) 15 Oct. 2012.

Toppo, Greg. "Making Students Literate in Digital Age." USA TODAY. 25 Jul 2011: A.2. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 15 Oct 2012.