Social Media Resources for learning and teaching English

By Dalila Ortiz Lpez and Gabriela Castillo Baz

Tools or applications which people use them for recreational purposes such as gaming, communication, and shaping online spaces for expression of personal identity (Crook, et al. 2008, p. 4). It is clear that many language learners in universities in the early 21st century are computer-proficient and enjoy working with computers.

Blogger

Blog short for Web log. Log means journal. It can belong to an organization, group or individual. It can be adapted to your classes needs. Web page that serves to publish articles, texts, videos, etc. in chronological order. Frequent text update, and interactive comment area, most educators applied their blogs to reading or writing classes (Campbell, 2003; Johnson, 2004; Oravec, 2002; Wilder & Merritt 2004

How to Blog
(1) create an account, (2) name your blog, and (3) choose a template. In the first step, you only have to fill in all the basic information such as user name, password, and email, etc. Then, you have to give your blog a title and decide its URL address. If you would like to host your blog at Blogger, you have to choose a unique name before blogspot.com. For example, one of my blogs is named as fgum2; therefore, the complete URL address of that blog is http://fgum2.blogspot.com. If you would like to put your blog in your personal website, you then have to enter advanced blog setup to configure some blog details. Finally, after you pick up your favorite template, you can start writing down your own thoughts and publish them in the cyberspace.

Blogger Resouces
Posts publishing Comments available Customize your page

Blogging Samples 1 2
It

becomes a journal of homeworks Dont ask for very long hw. (Sample of comments) Everyone sees what the others are writing They know each other much better They become friends They use English

Advantages for teachers

The use of blogs is a supplemental aid to the teacher. Computers in the classroom are not a prerequisite for the use of blogs. Many universities have computer classrooms and computer areas for students to access now. It is simple to edit class material. All student writing samples are kept in one place and can be read from any computer connected to the Internet at anytime. Teachers can give collective feedback to the class when a recurring mistake is found. In order to save time when giving feedback, save a copy of the messages at an additional teacher-only blog. If a class is taught for several years with different students, teachers might be able to recycle these messages. From this blog, the teacher can select the appropriate message to send to a student regarding their feedback to their homework and writing samples.

Advantages for Students

Students have access to your complete notes on the Internet. Students have the option of previewing the class material and reviewing it after class. Because students are connected to the Internet, they have access to online English dictionaries. Students can easily look up words they do not understand by cutting the unknown word and pasting it into an online dictionary. Because the class material is organized into sections, students can easily find information. Students can read comments for the class as a whole and comments directed at them individually. This maximizes feedback and contact with the teacher. Students can observe how their writing has changed over time.

Facebook
One

of the most effective social networking tools more than 400 MILLION active users from over 180 countries right now, more than 60 million status updates posted each day, more than 3.5 million events created each month, and more than 3 billion photos uploaded each month (Facebook, April 2010)

Why Facebook

Most students already have Facebook accounts The established personal profile can be used as a tool for ice-breaking It can serve as a community learning starter. Students can build a deep-level bonding relationship based on their common interests, hobbies, similar life styles, etc. The biggest benefit of using Facebook as a community learning tool is the continuity after the academic semester/school is over. Anything uploaded to Facebook will be on the Facebooks server, and you can use privacy setting.

Why Facebook

The instructor can take advantage of this open learning environment to fully engage students in an authentic learning. Instructors can guide students in data synthesis and analysis to promote students deep-level learning and to nurture their critical thinking skills. Involving community in the learning process can help students identify the knowledge that is useful and applicable, and help them have a better understanding of the environment and circumstances that knowledge will be used to increase the value of education. It should not be used as a stand-alone educational tool, yet we can capitalize on Facebooks ubiquity and collaboration capabilities (Guess, 2008). Education is not just about using another fashionable technology tool; it is about quality communication achieved through the tool.

Facebook Resources
Create groups Messages Chat in real time with one to all students at once Create handouts or docs to share Publish events and important dates View photos Manage your group

Advantages of Facebook
Know

your students interests and likes. Connect any service to Facebook. Even you cellphone Keep in touch with them. Socialize knowledge.

http://buapenglish.webs.com/

Example: From blogger to Facebook

To make it work
1.

Meet you students in class on the very first day. Write your name of Facebook on the board and tell them the first assignment for the next class is to add you as a friend on their Facebook page.

2.

When on the computer

Make a group for each of the levels you have. Facebook will tell you how. Add each of the students. It doesnt matter if they are in different groups. Create a Blog in Blogger page to have more resources for presentations, homework and tasks or activities. When you post something always share it to Facebook to let students know they have something to do or know.

http://buapenglish.webs.com/

To
Have

resources to help each other to improve our lessons(planning, assessment, etc.) Share ideas, methodology, and materials. Improve writing skills Socialize knowledge between teachers Keep in touch

Conclusions

Social media tools are wonderful communication tools.

If we use those tools wisely and integrate them in teaching process, we can take advantage of student technology skills for learning purposes Blogging opens up the possibility of regular peer assessment and breaks down the barriers of the four-walled classroom, helping achieve the aims of the 3rd millennial classroom: collaboration, inclusiveness, flexibility and bringing more relevance to learners (cited in McIntosh, p. 6).

Sources
Blogs

in English language teaching and learning: Pedagogical uses and student responses. Social Media Tools as a Learning Resource Using blogs in an EFL writing class Facebook Blogger