Which social media platforms are beneficial in education?
In the last 5 years, I would say a majority of social media platforms have evolved into educational. However, Twitter in particular sticks out to me as one of the more appropriate platforms for creating a PLN. Like Instagram, Twitter is a platform which connects people and encourages them to create and share. Twitter is known more for its hashtags, advertisements, news, and entertainment. This platform is also mainly used to express opinions, new events and viewpoints. For those reasons creating a PLN on a platform like Twitter is a great way to stay connected and continue sharing. It is important that when using these platforms for educational or professional purposes, you separate your personal account from your professional one.
When working with the vulnerable sector, how does social media fit into professionalism and regulations?
When using a social media platform for professional and educational purposes it is important to have regulations and guidelines. Keeping your professional and personal accounts separate is important to maintain a strong PLN. Especially as an educator using social media in a safe manner to protect students from false information, inappropriate content and cyberbullying. Regulations and rules surrounding social media use for education are key to maintaining safety both for educators and students.
Discussion:
PLN helps to develop thoughts and ideas surrounding education as it allows you to build a personal network where you can connect and share with others. It is a way to communicate, share, debate and further develop conversation. Educators create discourse through research and knowledge, communicating what they know to their students. Social media creates discourse by giving individuals a place to share, communicate and debate outside of the classroom. Social media is like a large classroom with not many boundaries to knowledge. Having a lack of boundaries and rules is one of the larger issues when using social media as a tool in education.
