Media Studies

"What exactly is Social Media Literacy, and how can it be used in a classroom?" Since the beginning of my educational career, I have often heard this question, but have only recently started to hear answers to it. Quite frankly, the concept of Social Media Literacy is easy to understand. Being able to be "fluent" in Social Media lingo is one thing, however, applying it is another. Through this blog, I will explain some resources that I find very helpful in defining and applying literacy skills to Social Media.

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What is my message? 

As outlined in Stacey Goodman's blog titled "Social Media Literacy: The 5 Key Concepts" (http://www.edutopia.org/blog/social-media-five-key-concepts-stacey-goodman), being fluent in Social Media requires self-awareness and common courtesy. I grew up with an IT manager and teacher for parents, and their one rule of advice regarding Social Media was to THINK BEFORE YOU POST. It does not matter if that specific post is online for five minutes or five years, because in some shape or form, it will never really be gone. A friend of yours may think a certain post was funny, and copied it and sent it to another friend. This friend might pass it on, too. The possibilities are endless! Though this lesson is applicable in the classroom, it is most definitely applicable outside of it, too. In teaching students proper Social Media etiquette (or "Netiquette"), educators are helping to ensure that a variety of Social Media outlets can be used safely and efficiently. In teaching Netiquette, teachers help students to understand and demonstrate their knowledge of Social Media sites.


Who is my audience? What will they think?

Another important point to consider when taking an active role in Social Media, is the idea of a "Digital Footprint". As found in the article "10 Things Your Students Should Know about their Digital Footprints" on TeachHub (http://www.teachhub.com/10-things-your-students-should-know-about-their-digital-footprints), a Digital Footprint is something that defines you electronically and as a person. Much like Stacey Goodman's article, this article mentions the awareness and responsibility that is needed to use and maintain a positive online identity. This site offers helpful hints such as creating a new profile, understanding your own personal definition of "digital citizenship" (or digital footprint), and taking and advice and learning from others, whether they be teachers, parents or peers.

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How does this relate to the curriculum?

In Ontario Curriculum document for Language, the overall expectations of Media Literacy from Grades 4 to 8 heavily coincide with the resources listed above, and help outline possible strategies and lessons to use in a classroom. More specifically, the overall expectation to "demonstrate an understanding of a variety of media texts" can be taken from these articles. Additionally, students are expected to create a variety of posts on social media platforms that cater to different audiences and include appropriate forms, conventions and techniques while online.


What's next?

As a pre-service teacher, I personally cannot wait to help the students in my placement with their understanding and application of their Social Media skills. There are many more resources available online that directly correlate with the Ontario Language Curriculum, and I intend to use them in a fun, creative, and engaging way! Sites such as Edutopia and Pinterest have so far helped me to understand just what my placement students, and my future students need to have a successful and positive experience online.  There are so many wonderful possibilities to use Social Media in a classroom, and I am very excited to have my own experiences in it!