Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter:

Does social media help promote the library and literacy?  I looked into a few of our most popular social media tools to see how others are using them, how effective they are, and to get ideas of how I can use them in my classroom and library media center. 

Facebook:

What are libraries doing with Facebook?  I used Facebook to look up several libraries and how they are using this social media tool to promote the library and literacy. 

Ireland Elementary School Library:  https://www.facebook.com/IrelandElementaryLibrary/

This elementary library page gave basic information such as contact information and library times.  The library shared many photos and videos on activities going on in the library and school.  The page promoted books and book lists for students to read.  There were posts to encourage interaction with users such as a “What are you reading?” post for users to comment.  Of the 116 followers, there was not many posts with “likes” or comments.  After reading the comments on many posts, adults (I am assuming parents and maybe teachers) were the users of this page. 

Green Forest High School Library:  https://www.facebook.com/GFHSlib/

This high school library page also gave basic information about the library such as contact information and library times.  The library shared many photos and videos to promote the library and literacy.  The page was a platform to celebrate readers in the high school and highlight who they are and what they read.  The library showcases Book Clubs it offers and what they are reading.  I was very interested in the activities promoted in the library such as “How To Tie a Tie” where students had stations with instructions and followed them to learn how to tie ties.  Of the 451 followers, I did not see many “likes” or comments on this page.  I did notice that the users were young adults (I am assuming high school students) so it seemed as though the page was for this audience. 

Advantages of using Facebook in the educational setting:

-It encourages the Four C’s – critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.

-It is easy to use, most people have a Facebook account, so it has the capability to reach many users.

-Has the capability to tie learning to the interests of students.

Disadvantages of using Facebook in the educational setting:

-It may be a dying practice.  The number of interactions with this tool is not impressive.

-It is not face-to-face interaction; may lead to cyber bullying or harassment.

-Privacy and sharing of personal information may be a concern.

Twitter:

I explored the popular tool, Twitter, to find what the ed tech leaders have to offer.  I personally did not make a Twitter account until last fall only because it was required in on e of my grad school classes.  I found the tool easy to set up and use.  I recently began to follow ed tech leaders along with several library organizations. 

Kathy Schrock at @kathyschrock promotes ed tech websites and plenty of ideas with technology!  She Tweets ideas on how to use the most recent and current technology in the library and classroom.  I was excited to see a librarian I know in North Carolina follows Kathy as well.  Her Tweet here is about and AR ap which intrigued me because a lot of schools are forced to use AR and would love to find ways to make it better.

AR AP:

https://twitter.com/kathyschrock/status/1125351217247465473?s=20

Linda Brown at @lbraun2000 is a teen advocate!  I loved reading her Tweets because I am very much in the elementary world and I love to get a glimpse into the young adult life.  She really promotes YALSA and share many of their posts and articles.  She has posts great ideas for lessons with young adults.  Her Tweet here gives followers ideas for informal teachings with young adults.

Lessons/Ideas :  “Reclaiming Digital Futures”

https://twitter.com/TheCLAlliance/status/1129459089786974209?s=20

Alan November at @globalearner is an author and hosts conferences who promotes learning and discovering.  Alan is extremely inspiring with his words and posts.  Followers are inspired to promote questions, learning, and discovering in their classroom.  His Tweet here gives ideas for students and research.

Inspiring thoughts for student learning and research:

https://twitter.com/globalearner/status/999051643223265280?s=20

The Daring Librarian at @GwynethJones is a dynamic librarian.  I chose her blog to follow before this activity so I was excited to read her Tweets as well.  She gives incredible ideas for classrooms and libraries.  She celebrates others, she is humorous, and of course promotes book lists and literacy.  He Tweet here showcases another teacher librarian who used one of her ideas.

A librarian used her idea and shared: Key Readers-Reading incentives

https://twitter.com/GwynethJones/status/1134543506343714816?s=20

Jim Lerman at @jimlerman is an educator, designer, author, and speaker.  He gives creative ideas to use in the classroom with technology.  His Tweet here is sharing an article to help educators use technology with learners.
Article "How to Share Videos Without Distractions:

https://twitter.com/jimlerman/status/1133377437910360065?s=20

Advantages of using Twitter in the education setting:
-Promotes the Four C's.
-Is simple and easy to use.
-This tool seems to be more popular.
-It is a great source for educators to get information and ideas.

Disadvantages of using Twitter in the educational setting:
-Users may be limited on word counts.
-Privacy and sharing of personal information may be a concern.

Instagram:

Instagram is a fast and fun way to share photos with friends and family.  How are educators using Instagram?  I personally do not know any educators who use Instagram in their classroom.  After reading about this tool, I found there are many ways to connect with lessons and students with Instagram.  Here are some ideas educators may use in their classroom:

-Students may use Instagram to document the stages/phases of a cycle and/or project.

-Teachers may use images on Instagram for a writing prompt.  Many teachers will use a picture they print out to inspire a prompt, why not go digital?

-Students may use Instagram to promote school activities such as Homecoming or yearbook sales.

-Teachers may use it to showcase student work and achievement.

-Teachers may require an assignment for students to explore character analysis and posts from the perspective of historical figures or characters.

-Teachers/students may use Instagram to capture memories.

I created an Instagram for my future library.

Kristi’s All Day Library: https://www.instagram.com/kristisallday/

I hope to grow with this tool.

Advantages of using Instagram in the educational setting:

-Promotes the Four C’s.

-It is mostly pictures so users with limited time are more drawn to the visuals it offers.

-There are many creative ways to connect with students with this tool.

-It is a popular tool.

Disadvantages of using Instagram in the educational setting:

-Some may feel limited by the limited word count.

-Privacy and the sharing of personal information may be a concern.

In closing, I was very pleased with my findings with social media and the use of it in the educational setting.  I can relate to the users who are somewhat afraid of social media.  Educators are very aware of stories and situations where colleagues have had bad experiences with social media while mixed with education.  I am afraid this has scared many away from using these powerful tools that connect students and learning.  I personally have a new perspective of social media in education.  I see how important it is to tie student interests to learning.  To promote the Four C’s with our young students and to teach them how to use these tools responsibly.  I was very surprised to see how little Facebook is used and how Twitter and Instagram are more common.  As an educator and future librarian, I am pleased to find new resources to find information on ideas, lessons, technology, and literacy.