This article is about using social media in the classroom. As we are getting to the point to where social media is prevalent almost everywhere in the entire world, we may need to rely on this to contact our students at times.

Twitter can be used for a classroom collaboration. Students and parents can follow the class account, and it can be used to let them know information and get right to the point, since there is a limited amount of characters per tweet. As a teacher, you can tweet links to classroom activities, articles to be read, and general classroom information. Facebook can be used by creating a private group just for your class and their parents. Facebook allows you to do what Twitter can, but it is used more to post pictures and give more information because you have more room. Even better, you can link your class' Twitter and Facebook accounts together to kill two birds with one stone.

Google Plus allows students to collaborate with other people in their field of interest. This is best used in older grades when students have a better idea of what they want to be. Here, then can ask questions, participate in discussions, and have a better idea of what the people in their field of study do and are interested in. Linkedin is also more useful for the older grades, as it gets your students out there in the real world. Here, students can look for jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities, and upload their resume and work experience. SchoolTube is the site to use to flip your classroom. You create short videos that explain the assignments and lessons. You can collaborate with other teachers on here for good ideas on how to flip your classroom accurately, and for easy ways to help students understand lessons. Students can watch these videos from anywhere because they are online.

Edmoto allows you to set up information, lessons, and assignments while collaborating with your students. As the article says, it is a mix between Facebook and Blackboard. Animoto engages viewers in the videos you create. It makes your videos more interesting and exciting. Jing lets you record what you are doing on your computer or laptop. This is especially helpful in explaining new assignments or procedures for visual learners.

Always be sure that your students know about privacy settings, and that parents are on board with the use of social media.

http://gettingsmart.com/2011/12/developing-a-social-media-strategy-for-your-classroom/