School Leaders Share Their Take On Social Media Usage In Schools For Learning

Overview

Event: Virtual roundtable discussion, part of the Black girls and social media literacy series.
Date: January 25, 2023.
Participants: State school board members, principals, and district leaders from across the U.S.
Goal: Discuss implications and recommendations for school policy based on findings from a prior discussion on Black girls' use of social media for in-school learning.

Findings highlighted social media's role in skill building, exposure, and engagement.
Positive and negative impacts of social media on Black girls were discussed.
Need for addressing challenges and incorporating social media in schools was emphasized.

Mixed views on social media, recognizing both potential opportunities and challenges.
Importance of representation and exposure through social media.
Need to meet students where they are and educate them on proper social media use.
Discussions on how to start integrating social media positively in schools.

Negative Perception: Predominantly associated with negative impacts.
Lack of Ethical Framework: Difficulty in positioning social media positively.
Safety Protocols: Concerns around privacy policies and adherence to COPPA.
Teacher Management: Challenges with teacher buy-in, education, and technophobia.
Parental Support: Parents' resistance to social media use in schools.
Rapid Technological Growth: Fast-paced changes creating uncertainty and disadvantage.
Data Access: Concerns about student data being accessible to corporations.

Career Technical Education (CTE): Potential for supporting career pathways.
Tracking School Incidents: Using social media to monitor and address incidents.
Increase Student Engagement: Particularly effective during remote learning.
Building Community and Collaboration: Extending learning beyond school walls.
Literacy Development: Embracing visual media literacies.

Media Literacy Education: Essential for understanding algorithms, netiquette, and misinformation.
School Waivers: Protect schools and districts legally.
Teacher Training: Essential pre-service and ongoing education.
Manual and Policy Guide: Need for comprehensive guidance on implementation.
Trained IT Support Staff: Necessary for effective social media integration.

Social media usage in schools represents a complex issue requiring ongoing dialogue.
There's a need to embrace and adapt to the dynamic nature of technology and information.
Emphasis on collaborative approaches to integrate social media effectively.

Social media in education is evolving and requires continuous discussions and adaptations.

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