Social Media's Place in The Classroom

Is there a place for social media in the classroom?

The article that i read is titled, "Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Classroom." Some of the cons that this article brought up about utilizing social media in the classroom are definitely concerns of mine and reasons why myself as an educator many choose not to use social media in the classroom.  One of the cons the article presented was that social media can be a distraction, and can divert students attention from what's happening in class.  Another con that this article presented was that social media discourages face to face communication.  One of the most powerful skills a student can have is social skills.  I know people who had absolutely no education, but because they have great social skills they have become very successful.  The article brings up the point that without proper social skills students may find themselves at a disadvantage during college admission or job interviews when they need to command attention and deliver a coherent message. At social gatherings and in personal relationships, they need to be able to effectively express themselves and connect with others.

I have mixed feelings about social media and think it depends on how the teacher utilizes the social media and what sites the teacher uses.  First, if a teacher wants to use social media in the classroom, they definitely need to come up with general rules and guidelines for their student's use.  Teachers also need to be in line with the district and school rules about the use of social media.  Social media can be a powerful tool if used in a proper way.  Also, social media must serve a purpose in the classroom.  Hopefully, if a teacher decides the use social media there will be a lot of though put into how they will integrate these tools.