Teaching Inside the Social Media Fishbowl
Debate 4: Post 4 – Educators have a responsibility to use technology and social media to promote social justice
Where my opinion on this debate started and where it ends (though I use that word loosely), has shifted throughout this week. I wanted my post to demonstrate my voice, as well as other voices, and so I tried something different (for me) using Canva. In the future maybe we can debate the likelihood of me throwing my computer out the window but in the meantime…
If you are time-strapped (and really, aren’t we all?), the first half of my video reviews the YAY and NAY key points and shared articles/videos. The second half of the video (11-minute mark) covers solicited opinions from peers/colleagues I respect, and my final reflections (attempts were made to NOT go off on rambling tangents, but….).
In the end, I firmly believe in positive intent and continual learning and unlearning of social justice issues. Everyone is at their own point in this journey; if you are comfortable and have capacity, I would be honoured if you shared your current position on this issue…
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I like how you used a video voice note to explain your thinking and understanding about the last debate topic last week. When I looked at the prompt, I wasn’t concerned necessarily about the world ‘responsibility’ as I do think that educators do have a responsibility to teach social justice in their classrooms and with their students. However, the problem with the prompt that I had was the medium–social media. There are different ways to be activists, and forcing one to use social media in my opinion isn’t authentic for everyone.
Hi Kelly, I agree with you – it’s not responsibility itself that I really take issue with. It’s IF responsibility is coupled with “YOUR technology and social media”….which it isn’t, but that seemed to become the arguing point. At least for me, that’s the sticking point – if it’s MY social media I have to use, then I lean towards DISAGREE; if it’s teaching about Social Justice (in a multitude of ways…including critical thinking about social media and technology) then I’m team AGREE all the way. If that makes a lick of sense on a Sunday morning. Thanks for always taking time to comment on everyone’s posts- your dedication is admirable!
Very creative, Kim! I enjoyed listening to your voice on the topic as opposed to reading!
Most of the time I try incredibly hard to stay neutral in the classroom, although like you mentioned there are issues that arise where this is not possible to do so. Furthermore, I believe our stance on racism cannot be neutral, as being an educator cannot always be neutral in sorts. That being said, within some social justice issues I throw shade at the other side to try promote critical thinking within our students especially when they are sitting on a side where I can almost here their parents voice coming out of their mouth.
Another excellent point you made was towards the responsibility of teachers to fight on social justice issues, but is there support that teachers will receive. The open dialogue in the classroom help makes a safe space for students as opposed to on social media – I agree with this as some ideas/points/concerns you voice on social media can be portrayed in a negative way or misconstrued. If the ideas we portray on social media are misconstrued could harm relationships we have with our students. I do believe teachers have a right to stand up against discrimination or racism of any form, but we do not need to jump on social media to fight the good fight online. There are risks against teachers to do so, and personally I am not going to be a keyboard warrior nor am I going to into a keyboard war with some stranger on social media. This was a tough debate topic and I do see both sides of the coin.
Thank you for your intriguing and creative post, Kim.
Thanks, Britney!
After the fifth time Canva failed to record my voiceover (on a beautiful morning) I was really questioning trying something different! Yes, I agree with your comments. I refuse to judge anyone just because they do not take “the good fight” online. It really comes back to where/how we want to use our energy. I agree that anti-racism messages, etc. need to take up space online to overpower hate, but for me (currently) I would rather put my energy into fighting for/teaching social justice in my home, school, and community. Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment.
Wow Kim, what a thorough and creative post. I like how you included the thoughts of your colleagues combined with your own personal reflections.
There really are so many things to think about as we consider what activism looks like for us. I believe we each play a different role, and we are all on different points of our journey.
I agree that we should talk to students about how social media can be used for good, while continuing to be aware of our own privacy. It isn’t our job to tell students how to think, but it is our job to create a safe space for students to feel seen and represented, and to think critically about the world around them. As you said, we are all on our own journey of learning and unlearning. Great post!
Hi Jennifer, thanks for taking the time to listen and comment. So many of these debates leave me questioning my own thought process that I’ve extended the conversations to people in my career/life whose opinions I value. It was nice to include some of them in this video. I do have an early educator/social justice advocate friend whose opinions TOTALLY differ from mine but unfortunately she wasn’t able to get her video to me in time. She offered some valuable insights as to why it’s important educators create positive online spaces as well; to “take up space” online. I think my main takeaway from this class is to continue to push myself to have these conversations and never settle on one side of any important topic. I thank you for sharing your insights as well.