Pros+and+Cons+of+Social+Media+in+the+Classroom

Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Classroom - Amanda May Johnson

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The pros and cons debate of incorporating social media into the classroom is a debate that has been ongoing since social media outlets have hit the internet. Most often educators who are familiar with social media sites and are comfortable with them are often the ones promoting the use in the classroom. These teachers believe that social media sites allow for more student-student and student-teacher interaction. These teachers will also debate that social media sites are more engaging for students because the students of the 21st century are digital natives. Others argue that the pros listed for social media sites could be applied to any form of technology not just social media sites. ‍Cyber-bullying is also a con of social media sites because the bullying can be done 'behind closed doors' through messages or emails. Some teachers believe that social media sites cripple a students face-to-face communication skills because social media sites are commonly text based. ‍

(Kathy K) Technology affects socialization beyond the classroom. I read a story about a teenager who spent many hours texting friends. They had made plans to meet at a local fair but when they actually saw each other not a word was spoken between them. In an article written in the Altoona Mirror in 2011 Principal Lori Mangan was quoted, "I think it makes it hard for them to communicate in person, because they don't have the skills to do that, since they rely so heavily on technology," (Muska 2011). In the same article, Guidance Counselor Drew Yingling stated, “…young people are often nervous about face-to-face conversations, which makes them awkward when they do occur.” The full article can be viewed at, []

The most common social media sites used in the classroom are Facebook, Edmodo, and Twitter. How the sites are used varies dependent upon the instruction, the grade level, and the social media regulations within that district/school. We currently use Facebook and Edmodo in our classrooms here at Waccamaw Elementary. The use of the sites here at WES are teacher structured and teacher monitored. We have second grade classrooms who use both social media sites to post comments, turn in assignments, share educational photos and projects. We have found the social media sites to be beneficial with student engagement and the participation of student-input.