Hi again :)

Today, I'm going to talk about social media and the power of social media in esl classrooms.

We are 21st teachers. Techonology has became part of our lifes. I think most of us spend a lot of time on facebook, twitter. We talk to our friends,students,relatives etc. What I mean is here that we cannot ignore using technology and social media,as well. But what about using social media in our classrooms ? What about having lessons via facebook,twitter ? Should we do it  or ignore it and continue with other methods ?

I think we totally MUST use facebook and twitter. HOW ? Very easy.

-If you have privacy problems, open an account that consists of only your students.

-A lot of students have facebook and twitter. They love spending time on those sites. First, explain that you are going to use facebook and twitter for educational purposes.

-Later, start talking over facebook and twitter. But give them real reason to do something with class. For example, an online chat about lesson that you had today, give them a homework and control them.

-Twitter is a good way to improve their writing skills. You can make them use twitter for chat.

-You can also make them update their status once a day. I had a lecture like that last semester. I loved it :)

-You can disscuss some issues over social media. It is easy and some shy students can express themselves more  on the internet. For exzample, you choose a topic with your students and disscuss them over facebook,twitter. It sounds good, doesn't it ?

- You can talk to them about tomorrow's lesson. Or you can announce some news. Our instructior does the same. We talk to them over facebook as a whole class, it is easy and fun. :)

I want to finish my first part with a sentence that I love very much ( I read this in the newspaper) Smart teacher instead of smart technology!

Using technology is not enough on its own. Using facebook and twitter is GREAT because students love them, spend a lot of time on them, if you use what they love, they start to have an interest and your lessons will be much more fun and enjoyable.

You will start to see the power of social media day by day. Students will enjoy themselves while learning. At least, I have to say that I love spending time on social media and I love talking and doing something over social media for educational purposes.

I want to hear that do you use social media what kind of activities do you do with your students ?

Happy blogging :))