Social Networking Sites as a Teaching Tool

Kids Create -- and Critique on -- Social Networks

The advent of social networking sites has created an easy to use online text, video and picture sharing community that has been widely accepted by today’s youth as an acceptable method of sharing ideas and other media. By using such an interactive form of sharing files and comments, a climate that fosters growth can be created. One person can learn a lot from another person’s experience and expertise and vice versa. By sharing they learn from one another the characteristics that a piece of work should have, and they can also discuss what they like and dislike. Applications of social networks for students can increase their social, critical thinking, artistic, discretionary, and motivation skills as well as providing them with a place to showcase themselves in a positive manor. Furthermore, by using social networks and the internet, students can utilize an expert’s opinion or knowledge in formulation of their project or work. Students sometimes struggle when trying to create a piece of work (writing, photo, video, etc.), but by using a social networking site they have the opportunity to share with each other their ideas before they start to create their piece of work, or during to make sure they are on the right track.

Like most topics, it not all positive. Social networking sites don’t include grammar and spelling checks, nor do they monitor for socially accepted responses to a students. They simply provide an environment where students can converse, share knowledge and media wheatear it is positive or negative. I believe that social networking sites need to be developed that have guidelines and rules that need to be followed, the upkeep of these rules should be done by a governing body who’s job is simply monitoring the sites for inappropriate material.