The appropriate use of technology in the classroom is a much debated topic, but it’s clear that computers – and the internet – play an important and powerful role in education. And while many web-based applications, especially social media tools like blogs, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook and more may or may not be used or understood by the over 40 club, it’s safe to say they were in widespread use by the under 20 demographic.
Which means it is only natural that schools may look to social media to enhance the educational experience of their students. Australia’s Concord School did exactly that with their Web-Based Social and Collaborative Learning program. As described on weblogg-ed, the program give students a safe community and “real world” experience:
While most all of this work is done locally on an internal network, the concepts are preparing kids at Concord for the very global network they’ll inhabit once they leave the system. And here is the best part: Concord is a special needs school, a place where kids with all sorts of disabilities attend. The work that these kids do in these contexts is very rewarding on a number of levels.
I can imagine that some people are thinking their children already spend enough time on the computer. Others might be wondering just how much this would cost.
As to the issue of cost, it can be done, essentially, for free. The beauty of the social media landscape is that it’s all free. The Concord School program had their photo sharing application written just for them, but that isn’t necessary.
As for the concern that our children are online enough already, the reality is that they are growing up in a wired, online, connected world. People are meeting, collaborating and befriending people across great distances, and there’s no point in pretending we’ll stop going in that direction. Engaging children through these sorts of tools, with strong pedagogies as the foundation, can be invaluable.
No, it may not be suitable for every school or every child, but no teach technique is. What the Concord School has been able to do is impressive, though.
Many schools and camps are using social media to stay connected with prospective families, current students and parents and alumni. Have a read of this case study of how Upper Canada College (UCC) found a learning curve to engagement with social media: http://www.edsocialmedia.com/2009/04/case-study-upper-canada-college/
Here are some schools that are using social media sites:
Our Kids Media
http://www.twitter.com/ourkidsnet
http://www.youtube.com/user/OURKIDSPUBLICATIONS
Upper Canada College
http://www.youtube.com/user/uppercanadacollege
Sedberg School
http://twitter.com/Sedbergh_School
Camp Wenonah
http://twitter.com/CampWenonah
National Sports Academy
http://twitter.com/GoNSA
If you know any others, please add them to the list!!
Very interesting article – I think the reality, as you say, is that kids are going to learn it fast and early and will need to keep up. Using the internet and social media outlets online means a world is that their finger tips – in real time, something that hopefully will open up global doors of communication for our children in a way none of us had.
I too would be concerned with cost, and while the online gateway itself may be essentially free, our schools are struggling to keep up with the infrastructure – updated computers, or more importantly, enough computers to service the school, and while many Canadians have access to the internet via home computers, or when that’s not available public libraries, equal access for all students may be an issue.
I think our kids will learn in many different ways – and from behind a keyboard and computer screen is certainly one of them.
Great post to get us thinking…