Eric Stott's Portfolio Page

Eric Stott's Profile: Eric Stott
ETAP 623 Homepage: ETAP 623 Spring 2012
Social Media in the Classroom

Intent of Project

The purpose of this course is to instruct educators on how to use social media to reach out to their students.

Topics that will be covered:

• Learn what types of Web 2.0 can be used in the classroom.
• Purpose and benefits of using Web 2.0 in the classroom.
• What exactly social media is and what is consists of.
• How to use social media within the classroom.
• How to identify which types of social media best fit one's classroom.

Needs Analysis

1. Instructional Problem: Students in every classroom come from a multitude of backgrounds. A teacher will need to face and overcome the obstacles that socioeconomic differences present. Thus, when teachers try to implement technology within the classroom, one must be consider accessibility of technology within the school. The limited access to technology can put a strain on the educational process. In order to overcome this obstacle, teachers should make use of free Web 2.0 tools.

2. What is to be learned: Learners will be educated on how to use technology in the classroom to stimulate students to perform their best within the classroom. The use of social media will help to reach out to a multitude of students that may fall through the cracks within the typical classroom setting.

3. The Learners: This course is designed for any intermediate or high school teacher that would like to incorporate social media within their classroom. Teachers today need to modernize their delivery to effectively reach out to the largest number of students. Teachers that possess the ability to communicate efficiently with their students will ultimately become the most effective teachers.

4. Instructional Context: This course will include four units of instruction. Each of this units will follow a similar course of action. Participants will need to complete instructional readings based on the learning objective for that particular unit. Following the instructional readings, participants will need to complete an online assessment for their own personal reflection on the unit. Following the online assessment, the participant will need to complete an online survey which will serve to provide further reflection and stimulation on the unit's learning objective. The online surveys will also provide data which can then be used to improve the course.

5. Exploring the problem and solution: The use of technology in the classroom is essential to maximize student involvement and interest within the classroom. However, due to the high cost of keeping up with current technology, it can be incredibly difficult for schools to provide their teachers with the best tools for their practice. Therefore, teachers need to solve their own problems by looking for free educational possibilities. Web-based social media is one of those free possibilities. Through social media, teachers can stay connected with their students and keep their students well informed on what is going on in class on a daily basis. Teachers can maximize their time both in class and outside of class.

6. Goals: Participants of the course will be able to provide all of their students with an excellent means of learning through social media. Ultimately, through the the extension of social media outside of the classroom, participants will see an increase in effort, attitude, and understanding of curriculum.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to identify three possible educational benefits of using Web 2.0 in the classroom.

• Participants will be able to identify three possible educational benefits of using social media in the classroom.

• Participants will be able to stimulate student learning and participation outside of class using Facebook and Twitter.

• Participants will be able to assess student understanding of curriculum content based on student discussion and participation using Facebook and Twitter.

Instructional Map

Click on the link to view the curriculum map for this mini-course. Media:Updated Social Media ICM.pdf