How to use social media in your classroom

Social media like it or not it is here and well we might as well utilize it for good as much as possible.  Why should you have a social media account?  Well for one everyone has one, your students and their parents will more than likely have some sort of social media presence.  If you do have one make sure you keep your personal and school accounts separate at all times.  I am on the big three as I call them, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  I do have Linked IN account by I use that mainly for my professional contact.  So how do I use it in my class?

First make sure you tell your students you have these accounts and tell their parents as well.  Be clear that you will only post school related material on these platforms to show what they are doing in class or the community.  I urge my parent to follow me so they can see all the cool stuff we do in class and I get more follower to help with my retirement if this teaching thing does not work for me. A sense of humor always helps.  I have also found that current students tend not to follow me unless they are featured in something or they graduate.  It also helps hook them to what we are doing by getting them so "presence" online.   

Use social media to record your growth as a teacher, it becomes an artifact of things you are doing in and out of the classroom.  It can help show some of work you are doing for the future and can help get your name out there for people to want to help reach your goals.  That being said don't be naive to think that everyone wanting to help you is looking out for you or your students.  Do you research if you have any doubts and always follow your district protocols when it comes to volunteers.  

I am also going to be honest to say that my social media "game" has not gained me a lot of help form out side my district, but I have gotten several industry leads and help from individual from other high schools.  That is one of the best thing being active in this space is that I am not alone and there other teachers out there doing what I am doing and growing your network with other teachers from around the area or nationwide is never a bad thing.  

I also want it to be  clear by saying that I am no expert and I really have no idea if I am doing any of this right but I do know that I am getting my self out there and showing my community what we are doing and what their sons and daughters are able to archive.  Sometimes it nice to do a little bragging about the good things we are doing in our class.