Social media in the classroom has many advantages for both the teacher and the parent.

As a teacher, it actually saves time. For example, you can send a quick post versus typing, printing, copying, and sending home a letter in the folder of each student. It also helps ensure these reminders are being seen and not just staying in the student’s backpack.

As a parent, you get to see what is really happening inside the classroom, because you certainly know that the answer to “What did you do at school today?” is certainly not “nothin’.” You also can get convenient reminders on field trips and special projects coming up in a place where you are hanging out already – on Facebook or Twitter.

But what about the kids? What are the advantages for them?

They are numerous but simply put, they feel like rock stars!

Mrs. Kunsman, @ColleenKunsman, a first grade teacher at New Auburn, Wisconsin, shared a story from this past school year when I asked her about the advantages for her students.

“Kids get so excited about seeing their photos and then reading the comments.” Kunsman said. She implemented a classroom Facebook page this past year. Check it out here!

“We shared a song about the water cycle. When I told the kids a few days later that it had over 500 views, they were amazed. To them, they were the same as Taylor Swift because that many people had seen them perform!”

How cool is that? They shared what they were learning and were rewarded with not only likes and comments but a feeling that they were important enough to be watched.

Beyond feeling famous, there is even more.

“It motivates them,” Kunsman said. “Some students will just put more effort into a project if they know that it will be seen by a lot of people.”

Makes sense, doesn’t it? If you had to perform on a stage, I’m sure you’d spend some extra time practicing as well.

Social media allows us to share important learning milestones from inside the classroom. It’s amazing to me as a mom to see my daughters at “work” while they are in the classroom. Isn’t it fun to know that using social media is enhancing that learning experience for our kids?

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