Let's Talk Strategy

Now that we've weighed the pros and cons of implementing social media programs into the secondary classroom, I think think it's time to look more closely at strategy.

If you've left feedback on the previous posts, I sincerely thank you! As for me, having weighed the options, my official stance (at least for now) is that the advantages outweigh the opposition. Instead of fighting the moving wheel, I'm going to hop aboard. But, my hope is that I will be able to implement existing strategies to make the best of this process. Has anyone tried any of these strategies? How have they worked for you? Let's take a look. All ideas came from the following website. It should be noted that the website also expands on the advantages of incorporating social media - in case you needed more convincing.

Twitter – Many of my colleagues have created professional accounts to stay connected with students. Twitter can be extremely useful for sending updates regarding assignments or providing an interesting article to the group. Some even use twitter for "quick formative assessments" where students contribute to class discussions. This article also encourages creating a class hashtag (#O'HaraHMBW) so that messages are directed to the right audience. 

Facebook – Alright, I know, I know - it's scary thinking about connecting with students and parents through Facebook. The website has a great resources for dealing with concerns regarding friending parents and students for those who are feeling queasy. The key here is to connect your Twitter account to Facebook to keep things consistent. You can also use your Facebook to celebrate student achievements! 

Finally, let's talk about a slightly more advanced tool:

Google Plus – Through the easy to use "circles" application, Google Plus lets you connect with different groups of students, colleagues, and other professionals for collaborative purposes.