The Positive Side of Social Media

“The principal goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done; men and women who are creative, inventive and discoverers.” - Jean Piaget

So often we see the negative fallout from teachers or students use of social media. But lost in all of the negative is the amazing, positive ways social media is being used in the classroom and beyond to teach, inspire, and lead.

Principals like Russell Schwartz (@russ_schwartz), Keith Peters (@principalkp), Todd Nesloney (@techninjatodd), and Bethany Hill (@bethhill2829) use their Twitter accounts to promote the amazing learning that is happening in their schools. They have created a personal learning network of educators to share information with and to learn alongside. They brag on their students, they promote their teachers, and they let the world know their school is the place to be!

Teachers like Doug Robertson (@theweirdteacher), Tammie Neil (@TG_Neil), Squeaky Altman-Lewis (@prettysqueaky), and Terry Stouffer (@firstatbat) share all the ways their kids are learning and growing through their twitter accounts. They share their students triumphs and how they are achieving learning and life goals. In chats like #weirded, #fledchat, #ruraledchat, #1stchat, and others these and many other connected educators collaborate across the world to bring their students the best education possible. They participate in nationwide learning with their students through hashtags and @ companies and learning ideas, like @wonderworkshop, @doinktweets, #digcit, #kidscancode, and #gafeforlittles.

But it’s not just school leaders using social media in exemplary ways. In August 2017, ISTE released an article 9 ways real students use social media for good. This article highlighted students like Destiny Anger who used Facebook to share a video about her project to help orphans. The project garnered worldwide attention, allowing her to raise money and awareness of the issues facing children who have lost their parents. Not only did Destiny help others, she gained real life job skills in the area of fundraising, digital content management, and communication.

Hannah Alper uses her blog Call Me Hannah to promote people finding their passions and exploring their interests. She began her work at 9 years of age and has now been published in many different publications. She continues to work on anti bullying, acceptance, and sharing kindness. To learn more about Hannah and other students using social media for good, check out this Smart Social article.

In the wake of the school shooting in Parkland, FL student took on the role of change agents. They began calling for a change in gun laws and mental health care. Students like Emma Gonzalez (@emma4change), Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky), and David Hogg (@davidhogg111). Students used social media to promote gatherings and encourage students to take a stand for their beliefs. They joined together share their thoughts, emotions, feelings, and fears and formed a community online to promote healing. They connected with other victims of school violence and began to work together to end this problem in society. Regardless of your view on gun ownership, these students became overnight leaders, largely due to their social activism on social media platforms.

Let’s focus on the good in our classrooms and lives. Let’s shamelessly plug our schools, activities, and share the awesomeness in the education profession. Shout the good so loud, the negative becomes but a whisper!