Lately there has been a lot of talk about 21st century learning. Schools all over the country are having discussions about this buzz phrase. Schools are trying to figure out how to bring in technology to classrooms, but many are still blocking a crucial tool: social media. I believe 21st century learning is more than bringing in technology. It is about teaching students the skills they need to adapt to the ever-changing technology. We have to teach 21st century skills in order for 21st century learning to occur. Technology is changing the way we do everything including the way we communicate, and social media has played a large part in that shift.
Through the motivation to finish my masters program, the help and support of my social media and in-person network of educators, professionals, and students, I had the tools to develop a social media curriculum geared towards a high school classroom. This social media curriculum will allow students to explore how social media has changed communication, how it affects their future, and how they can use it as an advantage. Hopefully, this curriculum can also show schools social media is not something to be scared about but rather how it does have an appropriate and useful place in the classroom.
The curriculum is broken into six sections:
- historical perspective
- social media writing process
- engagement
- social media writing structure
- media analysis
- law/ethics
Even though technology is constantly advancing, I believe these sections can be adapted for any type of technology or new social media network that will be developed.
For more information or if you have questions, feel free to contact me via email.
Download: High School Social Media Class Curriculum
Written By: Beth Phillips
