Teaching to Designing

 Social media allows individuals to research new information, reach out to loved ones, and expand their business. With technology advancing and more people having access to smartphones and Wi-Fi access, social media is continuing to connect people from all around the globe. The digital divide is still an issue, as we must ensure everyone has equal access and know how to navigate these platforms.

 I thought it was fascinating that social media usage is no longer increasing in most developed nations, yet is still rapidly growing in developing ones. When introduced to social media in developing countries, many people are accessing it through a smartphone for the first time. Not only may their phone be their introduction to the internet, but social media can serve as their primary source of entertainment, education, communication, and even income. While reading this article, I also recognized that just because social media is readily available to so many, there are still many who do not have access. Internet cost and digital literacy remain issues. As social media grows, I hope we can continue to bridge the gap so everyone has the opportunity to take advantage of it. Poushter, J. (2018). Social media use continues to rise in developing countries but plateaus across developed ones: Digital divides remain, both within and across countries. Pew Research Center.

 Social media platforms serve as opportunities for young people to talk, connect, learn, and participate in society. It is a place where youth can exchange ideas and information about things that interest them. They use social media to talk about current issues, organize, and take action. Kahne and Bowyer (2019) state that “building digital engagement literacies can move youth past being consumers of information and help them become producers and contributors of digital spaces” (p.2). These literacies equip students with skills to judge the validity of what they find and create content that has purpose. Engagement literacies teach students how to contribute their ideas to a conversation and responsibly use technology. This includes developing digital literacies to help close the opportunity gap of students who may encounter false information, conflict, or lack of access to digital learning. As society continues to globalize with technology, we should teach students how to use these...

 What if students learn more from their peers than from the teacher? This article highlights interactive blogging as a way for students to reflect on their thinking and share ideas with classmates. Often, a student’s comment can help you think deeper than a lecture ever will. Yang, C. and Chang, Y.-.-S. (2012), Assessing the effects of interactive blogging on student attitudes towards peer interaction, learning motivation, and academic achievements. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 28: 126-135. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2729.2011.00423.x

I do believe healthcare workers have to consider patient privacy (HIPPA) and the balance of staying professional. Do professional social networks have the potential to better healthcare or do the risks outweigh the pros? Should professional social networks help to better health care or is it too risky? Let me know your thoughts below. This was a very interesting topic for me.  

 Pinterest started out as a place for cute classroom decorations. But studies have found that Pinterest is now one of the top destination's teachers turn to for lesson ideas and classroom activities. Searching for math centers? Literacy activities? Classroom management? Pinterest is the new destination for professional learning. How often do you use Pinterest? What was your favorite classroom pin if you're a teacher?