The document discusses how social media can be used in education. It argues that the best uses of technology in the classroom are those that extend learning outside of the classroom. Using social media like wikis, blogs, and Google Docs can encourage collaboration between students and help close the gap between students and teachers. However, simply trying to incorporate technology into the classroom does not work - the education needs to be redesigned first before integrating technology. When done right, social media can create new opportunities for discussion, critique, and building relationships between students and teachers.

1. SOCIAL MEDIA
IN EDUCATION
Podcamp Boston 4
Kabren Levinson
www.kabren.com

2. how can social technologies be used in the classroom?

3. what can social media do for education?

4. me
•i podcast (4 years)
•i blog (3 years)
•i go to bard college in upstate ny
•i created an academic technology program in high school
•i have spoken at pcb2 and 3, and sxswi 2009

5. i am a product of progressive education:
• fewer standards
• smaller classes
• more collaboration
• stronger student/teacher relationships

6. i care about how we use technology,
particularly in education

7. using technology in education isn’t easy...

8. two different worlds coming together

9. education is slow
while technology is fast

10. i have a dilemma. i am influenced by technology
but am also a classical thinker.

11. i believe in traditional education and admire socratic method

12. i enjoy small discussion based classes

13. my own philosophy

14. when you try to just “use” technology in a classroom,
it doesn’t work.

15. for example

16. #1
if you don’t think about how technology can be used,
it will not be taken advantage of and can be dangerous.

17. lots of schools are trying to use technology
more inside of the classroom

18. for example

19. #2
the best uses of technology inside the classroom
are outside the classroom

20. schools assume IT and EduTech are the same
they are not.

21. for example

22. #3
using technology in the classroom is more about
education and less about technology

23. social media has great potential outside of the classroom

24. transparency among students and teachers builds trust

25. classroom culture doesn’t exist in large classes, but social
media can help close the gap between students and teachers

26. social media can also be used in the classroom

27. wiki’s and google docs encourage collaboration and discussion

28. blogging offers important skills - if students are writing
outside of class on a blog, their writing will improve

29. publishing online and living in public:
- teaches how to take risks
- teaches students how to receive
feedback from both peers and
teachers

30. social media creates new venues for critique and
conversation

31. new media and technology also teach the idea of UNDO

32. finally

33. technology can only be used if it is thought out pedagogically.

34. again - progressive education:
- fewer standards
- smaller classes
- more collaboration
- stronger student/teacher relationships

35. trying to use technology to fill the gap is good...

36. ...but education will only be great when the education is
reinvented and reconstructed

37. the schools that really use technology well
have thought first about the education.

38. the values taught by social media need
to first be taught to education. and
only then can social technologies be
used in class.

39. in order for technology in
education to work, students and
teachers must learn and know
how to trust and take risks.

40. • small classes: is tech necessary?
• technology is an obstruction between people
• off hours tech. builds stronger relationships
• comments create discussions
• transparency

41. Kabren f Levinson
k@kabrenlevinson.com