Social Media in Education

Social media is a powerful tool when used properly. Today, educators can network with one another virtually and share information concerning effective teaching techniques and new technologies. 

Here are several social media accounts that I follow to hone my craft as an educator:

https://www.facebook.com/Susan.Wise.Bauer

Susan Wise Bauer is an author, historian, and educator who has had a tremendous impact on my teaching philosophy. She regularly posts informative articles on a variety of subjects. 

I recently read an article on Bauer's Facebook page that helped me understand the need to guard against scammers. Today, scammers have developed sophisticated methods of deceiving their prey. They may attack through email, cell phone calls, texts, or even mail. It is essential to stay on guard and verify the source of these communications. Scammers often use email accounts which are similar to legitimate accounts. For example, instead of an email from customerservice@capitalone.com, you may receive an email from customerservice@gmail.com asking you to verify your account information. It is especially important that we help our students understand and recognize these threats before they fall victim to these attacks.

https://www.facebook.com/edutopia

Edutopia is a great resource for educators. Their social media page provides inspiration and information concerning what works in education. Posts span a wide variety of subjects, and you can count on multiple posts each day. When I am feeling uninspired, or I simply do not know the best way to convey a lesson, I head to Edutopia's Facebook page for support.

A recent article on Edutopia's social media page provided readers with information concerning how learning happens. "Whether it’s putting on unfamiliar boots for exploring a salt marsh or daring to hold a crab, deep learning can take place when we are challenged to try new things—as long as a foundation of trust and belonging is there first."

I love that Edutopia's posts include articles, videos, and links to helpful websites for educators. It is also very helpful to interact with other educators through comments on various articles. This is a resource I will always take advantage of as Edutopia stays up to date on the latest innovations in educational technology.

https://www.facebook.com/veritaspress

Veritas Press is another excellent social media page that provides educators with a wealth of information. With a wide variety of subject matter, Veritas often posts relevant articles concerning history, literature, and democracy from a classical Christian perspective. Veritas' social media page is a constant source of inspiration and information for me.

In a recent article, I learned about the ancient historian, Thucydides. The point of the article was that we should be learning from the past mistakes of others in an effort to avoid making those same mistakes. The article was powerful and informative. One quote struck me as particularly relevant for us today: "Sometimes history gives warnings; other times it provides solace. In some cases, it shows you the cliff and gives you an opportunity to avoid falling off it." It is important that we teach our students to value history, literature, and democracy. This social media page gives us ways to make that happen in our classrooms.