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View from Kronborg Castle Window (Copyright Steve Schwarten) |
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Kronborg Castle (Copyright Steve Schwarten) |
Over the holiday break, I spent time in Europe enjoying the
sights and flavors of Denmark and Sweden. While there I spent time taking
oodles of pictures to share with those I love and those I teach. I always feel like I need to bring back
information to share with those who may never have an opportunity to go where I
have been. The only difference was that
this time I have students who follow me on Instagram and twitter. For the first time I didn’t have to wait to
post a picture with a description and some interesting facts. I could just connect with my students
immediately. When I was looking at the
ceiling of St Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC before I had to go to the airport I
could share that with them. When I was
looking out at the waves from the window of a castle I could take a picture and
share it with them. When I came across a
book written by John Green I was able to take a picture and post immediately
with a comment about how the Danish people liked him just as much as we do. We no longer have to wait to talk with people
about our adventures. Now our students
can see what we see immediately. Think
for a second of the power the rests within our social network. Their eyes can see immediately what my eyes
can see. That is deep…
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John Green Ad while waiting for the metro. (Copyright Steve Schwarten) |
Students today operate in worlds that are separate from their
parents and teachers. For decades people
used to complain that we all occupied different generational spaces. The old could not penetrate the locations of
the young as they figured themselves out.
When someone older found their space the youth would scatter. The result was a sad dismembering of society
where each generation distrusted the other and learning between them
severed.
Today we are given a window into what their world looks like
through the panes of social media and they are given one into ours. I make it a priority not to follow students
on twitter or other places, but I like to think of my own accounts that some of
my students follow as a way for them to peer into my mind and my adventures. I like seeing historical locations and doing
social studies related activities outside of school. They are fun for me and often I used to think
if only I could share the experience with my students. For the first time ever I can.
I remember once going out to lunch with a former teacher and
while we ordered food he began to lecture the waiter on the origins of the Margarita
pizza. I remember smiling, but also
thinking of how I missed learning things with him. For the first time ever we can continue to
educate our students even after they have left our classroom. They might not stop by every day, but the
pull will be there. I know because on my
Instagram and twitter accounts I have students who occasionally post comments
or like pictures. I still feel like I am
making a difference for them. Giving
them at least a little piece of my intellect and expanding their horizons
through my pictures.
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The Main gate entrance into Kronborg Castle. (Copyright Steve Schwarten) |
I think that social media has revolutionized how we can
communicate with one another and the classroom should be no different. I think some of the nuances might have been
replaced or have changed, but if used properly it can be such a powerful
tool. I know not all students will ever
follow me or like the things I post, but those few who feel like they want to
still be connected should be allowed to.
Those that are afraid of this have no idea how nice it is to post a
picture of my classroom and have students send me a message about how much they
missed the environment we created together.
If you have not given social media a try you should. If done properly the results can be
staggering. Or at least it will make you
smile knowing that you can reach a wider audience as you explain the origins of
the Margarita Pizza.
(All pictures are originals taken by Steve Schwarten of the Kronborg Castle and one of a John Green Advertisement. Please, don't steal them. I can send you a print if you want. They also are examples of pictures I shared with my students.)
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