Social Media in Education

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(Image source 27)


Finding the Social In Media


Students also benefit from using social media by learning soft skills. These skills, which are not part of the curriculum, are valuable in the workplace. Problem solving, team working, and communication are the skills that employers seek the most. Sean Rush, president and chief executive officer of JA (Junior Achievement) Worldwide, an organisation that helps teach entrepreneurship in schools an d links students with local business people, notes: “Communication and collaboration are essential in a list of 21st-century skills; so much of work in the future will require things to be done across boundaries”  (Economist, 2015).


Most students think that learning about technology--coding, programming, making and repairing circuits, is what employers want from the incoming workforce. The survey asked executives what skills they are seeking in employees. The top three answers are problem solving, team work, and communication (Economist, 2015). So, students are focusing on the wrong skills. And, largely, so are teachers. “You don't necessarily need a technical education to get into the tech industry, because there are so many different avenues” (Madda, 2017).


Another important skill that all students must master is writing. This is a skill that goes beyond putting words on a page. “Being able to write well is never wasted—it forces you to understand your own thoughts and goals and what you're trying to accomplish, and break them down in a way that actually ends up being parallel to the work that you do in programming computers” (Madda, 2017).


Going from Here

Armed with this knowledge, teachers should reassess how they are using technology. Are we using it to teach those soft skills that employers are looking for? How can we improve that? Lesson plans, while incorporating technology in order to engage with students, must focus on those skills. And students need to learn that these are the skills they should focus on.


Additional Resources

Classroom-Friendly Social Media Options for Teachers

Using a Social Media Account With Your Class

Social Networks for Students and Teachers


References

Economist Intelligence Unit (2015). Driving the Skills Agenda:Preparing Students for the Future. The Economist. edu.google.com/pdfs/skills-of-the-future-report.pdf

Madda, M.J. (2017, June 21) What Skills Do Google, Pinterest, and Twitter Employees Think Kids Need To Succeed? EdSurge. https://bit.ly/3vgmTDs


(Image source 28)


Additional Resources

Classroom-Friendly Social Media Options for Teachers

Using a Social Media Account With Your Class

Social Networks for Students and Teachers


References

Economist Intelligence Unit (2015). Driving the Skills Agenda:Preparing Students for the Future. The Economist. edu.google.com/pdfs/skills-of-the-future-report.pdf

Madda, M.J. (2017, June 21) What Skills Do Google, Pinterest, and Twitter Employees Think Kids Need To Succeed? EdSurge. https://bit.ly/3vgmTDs


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