@AlbertQian The Social Media Dude – Social Media and Secondary Education

Added by Global Good Publishers on June 25, 2011.
Saved under Social Media Dude

Santa Clara University
I came from a school where social justice was the norm rather than something special. From the first day of school, social justice issues were extrapolated to us as much as dorm room fines, from the issues of poverty to helping each other. John Donne was very much in our lives.

My passion as you know lies in the premise of social media. In reading the likes of Mashable, TechCrunch and other syndicated technology and social media blogs the trend appears to be towards social media relating to private sector business and the occasional government post relating to politicians. There is however, several things that are missing, one to me in particular: secondary education.

High School is a crazy time. That in itself is an understatement. In a time when hormones are raging and people are trying to structure an identity for themselves, support systems are needed in particular. Beyond the scope of the 1990s where counselors seemed to be the norm and phone-in-lines were commonplace, the 2000s gives an increased way of factors that impede on a high schooler’s growth.

Secondary Education can benefit from social media in several different ways. Consider the following points:

Opinion-driven (controlled) venue
Resource-driven (notification)
Reminders
Organization

I’ll talk about opinion-driven venues in this post.

Each of these has their place in the high school setting. For students who spend six hours a day in a classroom, and in a public setting even, six hours a day learning instruction that is sometimes there because of public funding and No Child Left Behind, opinion matters. I went through high school wondering about who was running the place, and while administrators were accessible, they weren’t always understanding with the obvious age gap. A controlled venue where students can submit questions and opinions on their experience is important because in a world where everyone is becoming so ever connected feedback is always key to success. While not every opinion merits a listen, the mere existence of a forum where one can submit their ideas is key.

What secondary education needs to do on the public level is to stop giving slaps on the hand for submitting a carefully thought out strategic plan. On many levels below college we as a society have witnessed the banning of cell phones and even hugs among close acquaintances without any opinion being offered — not at least until the ACLU steps in. Is this right? Possibly. Does it make sense? Not in the slightest bit. By offering an opinion to the average student, honesty is created and a healthy environment follows. Idealistic as it may seem, an open environment where everyone is allowed to comment helps in the long run. Just because you aren’t selling something does not mean you aren’t a brand — even education itself, private or public is one.

Photo Credit: Koramchad

Written By ”The Social Media Dude” – Albert Qian