the role of social media in the 21st-century classroom As part of a dynamic 21st-century curriculum, we’ll use technology on a daily basis. The opportunity to read, discuss, analyze and communicate using social media builds important media literacy skills. Students will have guidance from a veteran teacher and communications specialist in professional, appropriate posting and file sharing within online formats. Using social media responsibly for research, professional development, collaboration, problem-solving and communication is more than just an essential piece of the communications curriculum — it is a valuable life skill students will carry with them to any college or career experience. To meet Common Core State Standards, we will use social media for these key skills: Production and Distribution of Writing CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically. Students will have the opportunity to post written and visual work online for an authentic audience, practicing the reporting/writing/photography/design/editing skills learned in class while making use of available publishing technology. We’ll also make use of these free tools using computers, cell phones and mobile devices: n PollEverywhere: This free online tool allows students to interact and participate by text message to answer questions,
brainstorm ideas and cast their vote. Students who have a cell phone or iPod Touch in class will be able to participate.
n GroupMe: Students in publications will use this free mobile tool for announcements and reminders. This helps students
communicate about deadlines, photo assignments and collaborative work. Students with a smartphone can download the GroupMe app to receive notifications; others in the group will receive all information via SMS (text message). n Trello: Advanced publications and journalism students will use this Web-based project management tool to
communicate progress on pages for Details yearbook, The Roar news magazine and Whitney Update website. You can read about it at www.trello.com. Students can check the account from the Internet at home or in class and also can use the free Trello app from mobile devices. No personal information is linked to this account, and nobody outside the class has access to the posts. This tool is simply a digital progress tracker to help students communicate and collaborate. A few places for parents: Follow on Instagram: @detailsyearbook This photo feed covers daily life at WHS and all school events. It’s a great way to stay in touch with school and be part of the Wildcat community. All posts are by student photographers in publications and photojournalism. www.facebook.com/WHSCommunications My teacher page encompassing all classes in C-2 (journalism, publications, photojournalism, mass media and graphic communications). Give it a “like” to stay in touch with what’s happening in class. www.twitter.com/nicksnotes Students are encouraged to follow this Twitter account for valuable links, related reading, assignment reminders and content related to student media or noteworthy news in communications. You’re welcome to follow, too. Mrs. Nichols’ personal policy: I choose not to “friend” or “follow” students on social media. As much as I care about my students, I deny all Facebook friend requests until after students graduate. We will communicate professionally about school-related business using groups and electronic tools without crossing over into personal information.