Social Media in the Classroom

So, here is my proposal for using Social Media in the classroom.  My school would like me to lead a PD regarding utilizing some internet resources.  I love using Instagram for pictures and sending them out via twitter and then obviously this Blog.  I am currently testing out Kidblog and Edmodo to determine which is more "user-friendly" and also which ones the students prefer. 

Any thoughts/comments/suggestion?
If you have used these in your classroom, do you like them?  What would you recommend?

..........................................................................................

Go Paperless!!

Goal: 

Improving Classroom Management and Communication through incorporating 21^st Century Skills that will improve teacher, student, parent communication; improve school-wide Customer Service for students, parents, staff/faculty; increasing Global communication opportunities and upholding school-wide initiative for Sustainability.

Objectives:

(1)   Identify and experience 21^st Century Skills in the classroom.

a.      See handout and activity - TBD

(2)  Identify and experience how Digital/Social Media can improve communication and customer service in the classroom as well as for teacher, student, parent and staff/faculty collaboration.

a.      Pinterest – (Instagram) – photos of really well done products to advertise to others

b.      Twitter – (Instagram) – snapshots of daily life, goings-on in the classroom, etc.

c.       Blogs – finished piece to display nice images, videos along with written reflections/descriptions, etc.

d.      Kidblog – teacher creates master blog, students have blogs (does not inter-face well after graduation); testing in progress

e.      Edmodo – Teacher/student/classroom “facebook”, post assignments, planners, grades, conduct quizzes, post comments; testing in progress.

(3)  Global Communication Opportunities

a.      Quadblogging – associated with Kidblog, link up with Global communities and collaborate on projects.

b.      Skype

c.       Facetime

(4)  Sustainability, Why go Paperless?

a.      HIPPA – The federal government established the timetable with Congress’ passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which included the so-called HITECH Act. (Education is next, let’s get ahead of the game)

b.      Money saved from printer paper

                                                              i.      School Year 2012-2013:  estimated printer paper cost:  $1,000

                                                           ii.      GOAL:  School Year 2013-2014: estimated printer paper cost: $500

                                                         iii.      School Savings:  $500.00

Ashley Baker

May 5, 2013