The digital word is constantly changing and also it is changing the way of communication, learning and teaching. As educators, we have responsibilities to carefully use the digital tool in education. It has both merits and demerits. Digital culture helps the students to understand and experience the new ways of learning. However, the integration of digital world and education brings both opportunities and challenges. As an educator, I always use digital tools such as You Tube, TikTok and Wikipedia to share more knowledgeable content with my students and encourage them to think critically and share their thoughts with others.
MEME AND EDUCATION
Today, meme has become an important and primary way of communication, presenting the complicated topics and concepts in short and funny way. In education, this is the one of the ways or methods used to develop more connectivity, concentration and interest of students in education. Because, these are funny, interesting and creative and can easily catch the student’s attention. In my own experience, I have always seen a motivational memes which boosts my energy and changes my mood. Likewise, in education, memes are perfect example and source to convey the meaningful information to students. For example, science, historical and literary memes can help the students to understand the perspectives of subjects. Moreover, it promotes the critical thoughts and develop creativity in students. Such as, using the social memes can connect the students with society and their issues. So, teachers can include social memes as discussion tool which can encourage the students to understand more about societal norms.
Participatory Culture in Education
Social media platforms like, YouTube, TikTok, Wikipedia has changed the way of getting and sharing of knowledge with others. This culture is challenging the traditional way of learning and encouraging the students to create their own contents and share the meaningful information. Such as, you tube is the best platform where learners can create their own you tube channels, upload videos where they can share their experiences which help engaging and bringing in positive impacts on students.
In addition, I can understand using social media platforms in classroom comes with some problems too. But, I think it has showed more positive results if carefully monitored and administrated. The biggest benefit is the expansion of area of knowledge and subject. Today, education is not only relying on test books rather connect more in terms of technology. This provides opportunity to students to get information from all possible sources. Like, during Covid- 19 Pandemic lot of individuals created their own you tube channels where they shared their daily routine work and these videos and content motivated lots of peoples during this critical situation. Moreover, during that time students did online learning also and they used various educational and social media platforms for their study related doubts and concepts which in turn helped the students to continue their studies even in those difficult times. So, I believe if digital tools are included in the classroom learning it will make learning easy, interesting and engaging.
Thanks for your post, Babbandeep!
I appreciated the reminder about everyone’s YouTube “follow my day” or “get ready with me” type of videos that came up during Covid when everyone was stuck at home. It was actually really fun to learn TikTok trends/dances during this time as well!
Hi Babbandeep, I appreciate your overall positive take on the potential of social media. Very often we focus on the negative influence of the online world. You are right, if we carefully monitor social media and use it with purpose, we can use these platforms to access student knowledge and creativity.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges of ensuring students use social media responsibly in the classroom? Do you have any favourite strategies or tools that you use to help students become ethical digital citizens?