Running head: REFLECTIVE PAPER Hassaan 1

Social Networks in Education Mohamed Hassaan University of Houston-Clear Lake INST 5035 Creating Digital Resources Dr. Richard Smith March, 2014

Running head: REFLECTIVE PAPER Hassaan 2 My name is Mohamed Hassaan and I will earn my Master of Science this semester the spring of 2014. I am majoring in Instructional Design and Technology. At UHCL I had meet with great professors who stretched my abilities in doing researches and proposals using technology and many tool. For me, my personal and professional area of research and interest is including: Training Developing (as trainer and instructional designer I do the best to update my abilities and the tools I use to deliver a face to face training session or online ones for individuals or groups) Creating Tutorials Resources (including handy printouts, digital files, and video tutorials)

As I listed the advantages of social networks in education in my previous paper, I should be honest and spot the light on some problems accruing here.

The cons of social media as a learning tool 1.) The gimmick factor Unless the use of sites such as Facebook and Twitter are incorporated into a class plan in order to contribute towards an objective lesson aim, then it could become nothing more than a waste of time. 2.) Distractions Unless teachers properly supervise their students -- and maintain control if the novelty of YouTube makes them too excited -- it can be difficult to follow through with a lesson based on Internet research. 3.) The risk of cyberbullying Cyberbullying is rampant on social networks, and it is something teachers need to be aware of. Social media projects may not be confined to a classroom -- and if this is the case, teachers (and potentially parents) need to monitor student activity for any signs of bullying. 4.) Limiting face-to-face communication If a balance is not maintained, then too much technological input can have a detrimental effect on social skills that children need to learn. 5.) The need for schools to research, understand and implement Educational establishments are slowly making their presence known on social media for advertising and information-based purposes. However, it requires a good level of technical understanding to use and maintain social media effectively.

Running head: REFLECTIVE PAPER Hassaan 3 6.) Continual social media change There are constant changes to platforms themselves and their security settings -- of which schools and teachers must keep up to date with and act accordingly. 7.) The need to manage multiple sites and keep updated If schools decide to make use of these platforms, pages and profiles should be updated in order to prevent them becoming stagnant 8.) The possibility of malware infections or phishing scams Social networks are now a breeding ground for scam artists to lure both children and adults to exchange personal information or in order to gain access to a computer network. Educational establishments need to be aware of this risk and monitor their usage accordingly. 9.) The need to filter and plan Schools have a duty of care to their students, and as such, the use of social media platforms has to be planned and executed appropriately in order to protect children from inappropriate communication, images or video. Several options are available, such as YouTube for Schools. 10.) Inappropriate content sharing or exposure It is important for children in school to be protected from inappropriate content; but it is also necessary for teachers to monitor what they are sharing between themselves. It is not only a matter of duty to students -- but protecting yourself as the teacher responsible for them. 11.) Controlling device use in class Teachers have to grow eyes in the back of their heads -- and when mobile devices are used in class, the need for continual monitoring and regulation increases. 12.) Exposing the 'haves' and 'have nots' Once you introduce social media use in to a classroom, then unless the school has the facilities to supply each student, it is sometimes the case that students are asked to bring their own device. This in turn can highlight divides between students who can afford certain devices, and those that cannot.