The chapter structure eases readers into using social media through starting with how to set up accounts, followed by ideas on how to use them with classes, with reflections that enable you to think about some of the wider issues about using social media.
This book is accessible for those just starting but also challenges those who are competent users of social media to think about how they use it and why, encouraging teachers to use their knowledge about how children learn to plan effective and creative use of social media in the classroom.
A good book to get you started but also to deepen your thinking about not only how to use social media but why you should use it with a 21st Century class.
Using Social Media in the Classroom, 2nd edition, delivers more than just an update to the – already very good – 1st edition. Updates on technologies & tools and how they are used in the classroom are there as expected, but the new, greater depth of treatment about educational games and mobile learning, now given an extra chapter each, really adds an extra dimension.Whether you are new to using social media, familiar with some areas or an expert across the board, you will find much of interest within this comprehensive, yet easy to read, guide. There are also many ‘gems’ scattered throughout the book such as how to create – and remember- passwords and how to find out what exactly young people are doing online in specific countries.Megan Poore’s updated text is needed more than ever, as social media become increasingly integrated in many aspects of education. I would recommend it to all practising teachers and trainee teachers, whatever their subject.
'It’s the information provided in the book and on the website, and the ease of navigation Dr Poore has created in using social media in learning, that make it an essential resource for teachers. The extensive and useful contents pages clearly identify the ‘topics’: the nuts and bolts of social media, as well as the ways of accessing them, using them and thinking about them'
-James Dellit, J&J Dellit blog
'It is refreshing to come across a book which combines practical ideas, tips and considerations with serious pedagogical content. It considers how to use social media in the class, as well as why this is such as great opportunity to promote learning and what we should be looking for to ensure students are being appropriately challenged. It is written in accessible language, de-mystifying concepts for the beginner, and challenging experienced social media users to focus on higher-order thinking skills rather than on the 'bells and whistles' technology itself. Highly recommended'
Margaret Meredith, Senior Lecturer Primary EducationYork St John University
'This book claims to 'bring together the information you need to safely, knowledgeable and creatively integrate social media in your classroom'. It does a good job.
It is not a step-by-step how to guide - there are plenty of those on line. It is an accessible, informative read that will give the teacher the background they need on the topic, ideas of how to get started and useful advice on putting ideas into practice. The inclusion of advice on how to scaffold the introduction of social media to learners is particularly welcome.
Importantly; risk, safety, the digital divide and anticipation of problems are discussed - the things that can otherwise put teachers off. Links are made to educational theory, with reference to further reading for those who want to explore this further.
I would recommend it to practicing teachers, trainee teachers and those involved in the training and development of teachers'
-Andrew Connell, Keele University
'Megan Poore's Using Social Media in the Classroom provides a balanced and thorough account of that ways in which social media and Web 2.0 technologies can be used by teachers to enhance and support the learning of students across the curriculum. Poore provides a strong rationale for the use of social media in the classroom, and carefully links the technological applications to contemporary learning theory and pedagogical approaches. Her treatment of the possible social media and web 2.0 applications is comprehensive and detailed, and contextualised within the broader issues related to young people and ICTs. Using Social Media in the Classroom will be useful for experienced teachers searching for ways to meaningfully integrate ICTs into their pedagogical repertoire and for teacher education students thinking about how to integrate their current use of social media into their practice'
-Nicole Mockler, The University of Newcastle, Australia
