With proper instruction, social media can be used successfully by both teachers and students. It allows teachers to keep parents informed about what students are learning. In addition, teachers can use social media “for exploring a wide range of possible resources and materials for PD, or for ongoing professional growth through real-time chats. (Asher 2015). By following social media accounts of others in education, teachers can perhaps discover how others are using social media in their classrooms. Google Classroom can also be used to engage the entire school. When posting to the class’ stream, every member of the account will receive a notification and can respond accordingly. Students can use social media too by creating a social media account for their after-school clubs. They can share information about their accomplishments and use social media to help recruit others to join their cause.

Nearpod and Common Sense Education offers some great lessons about digital citizenship. I think it’s very important to teach students how to properly share their thoughts online because they are creating a digital footprint for all to see, which can affect their future in both positive and negative ways. It has been found that posting on social media can “get someone fired, hired or forced to retire faster than any other form of writing” (Davis, 2014). Sharing information online “will most likely be read by college admissions offices and teams of student ‘stalkers’ hired to vet students before they receive scholarships” (Davis, 2014). Even the career of an individual can be decided when they post about their own personal beliefs which may “prevent some people from running for political office and get others elected” (Davis 2014). We must prepare our students how to use social media responsibly and impress upon them the importance of thinking about why they are sharing information before they actually post.

Asher, J. (2015, August 7). Making the Case for Social Media in Schools. Edutopia. Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/making-case- social-media-in-schools-jim-asher

Davis, V. (2014, February 27). A Guidebook for Social Media in the Classroom. Edutopia. Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/guidebook-social-media-in-classroom-vicki- davis