Evidence of Learning And Reflection 1This evidence of learning is a Videoscribe animated video created in October 2016 to summarize my learning in OLTD 506 which focused on Social Media. It demonstrates my understanding of the variety of issues surrounding social media and how they relate to creating an inclusive learning environment. It also illustrates my ability to consider responsibility, accountability and civility in online environments and use different tools to demonstrate my learning.
My scribe demonstrates understanding of the topics covered in OLTD 506, such as: defining social media; exploring the issues related to the use of social media in education such as the existence of a social footprint, legislation and policy impacting the use of social media in the classroom, protection of privacy, ensuring the safety of students, and the lingering existence of a digital divide.
My knowledge of FIPPA was limited to a powerpoint presented to staff at my school in 2016. My understanding of FIPPA and its implications in the classroom has deepened. I have a more thorough understanding of informed consent, fenced and open systems, and the rationale for the existence of such legislation. I am more confident in creating consent forms that are closer to compliance with FIPPA. I also feel that I have progressed along Hengstler’s compliance continuum. I possess more knowledge and understanding and am working on gaining more experience by incorporating social media into my practice with purpose and intentionality and assisting my colleagues in doing the same. There are a multitude of social media platforms available to educators. I was surprised to discover how Seesaw and Freshgrade have applications even in the early primary classroom for connecting with families and involving students in the creation of e-portfolios. Not all social media are created equal. Educators must perform due diligence and critically assess the tools at their disposal platform best suits their needs and the needs of students and educate themselves (and students and their families) about potential risks and how they will be managed. Social media is embedded in our society. Educators and students alike need to be proficient with social media to compete and participate as global citizens. It is up to educators to provide students with these skills. But first they need support to develop these skills themselves. This is where I believe our educational system is failing. Teachers are encouraged to infuse technology into their practice but are not given the tools or support to achieve this effectively or safely. District acceptable use policies are not always easily accessible and neither is training. I suggest that making then public by having them posted on district and school websites would be beneficial in helping teachers, students and parents in navigating social media effectively and safely. Exploring issues related to social media in public schools has given me the skills and confidence to incorporate tools such as Skype and Freshgrade into my practice and enrich the learning experience of my students. |
Evidence of Learning and Reflection 2This evidence of learning is an academic paper addressing social media in the educational system. was created in September 2016 and illustrates my ability examine current research around best practices and emerging practices.
In this paper I demonstrate my understanding of the difference between Social Media and a Social Network as well as the benefits and risks involved in integrating social media into one's instructional design.
The use of social media in the classroom is governed by several bodies. FIPPA is arguably the legislation that most closely governs the use of social media and social networks in the classroom. The Ministry's Standards and BCTF's Code of Conduct specifically address the educator's responsibilities in regards to both online and offline behaviour. We are in fact held to a higher standard than the general public. The risks can be managed and social media can enhance student engagement and achievement by connecting students to experts and allowing students to collaborate with each other outside the confines of the school building and school day. Learning about the benefits of social media and the different platforms available has made me see the potential for inclusion in my own instructional design. I have become particularly interested in its application in communicating with students' families about their learning and providing them with access to authentic examples of learning. I believe the paper presents a fairly comprehensive and balanced view of the risks and advantages inherent in social media. Social media is embedded in the lives of students in the early twenty-first century and designing authentic, effective learning experiences that utilize this tool can make learning more relevant and engaging for students. |