There are many reasons individuals use social media websites. I think the main reason is for communication purposes, but it is also a way to keep up with new trends. When Myspace first came out, it quickly became one of the most popular websites. Then Facebook came around shortly after with a different, possibly easier to use set up and that also became one of the most popular websites. Sites like Pinterest and Instagram compliment some of these social media websites. They allow individuals to express their own interest and show who they are as a person. I can say that I have participated in these websites, including; Myspace, Facebook and Pinterest. Myspace and Facebook are great for keeping in touch with old friends and extended family. Pinterest has a number of great ideas that allows you to bookmark specific items. These sites have a great purpose, but I think that some people are so overly consumed with social media websites that it can stir up a lot of ruckus.
I was never a fan of Twitter, and I have recently deleted my Facebook account. People seem to forget how to communicate regularly (through phones, in person, by email) since they are always on Facebook. The public has become so consumed with it, anywhere you go business respond with, “like us on Facebook”. Phone or mailed copy invitations to weddings, birthdays, parties, etc. has now turned into Facebook invitations (only). If you meet up with someone new, it always turns into, “do you have a Facebook?” It becomes some huge popularity contest and ends up in drama. Couples fight constantly about who they added as a friend, or why they responded to someone’s post. It becomes a problem when people are so overly engrossed with it. I think when these sites are used in moderation; they can play a positive role.
Sites like Facebook and Twitter should not be allowed in the classroom setting. Pinterest would be the only exception since it has bookmarking capabilities. I do not feel they have an educational value and can even be an enormous distraction. These social media sites have definitely impacted our culture and the way we live and it will continue to do so in the 21st century. I don’t necessarily believe that these sites will be as popular in the future, because if some new type of technology is introduced, we will also become engrossed with that. Educational instructors really have no reason to introduce social media websites to students. 
They should even be monitoring the use at school. You hear of many stories throughout school districts where Facebook becomes an issue with bullying. Parents should also help support and monitor their child when it comes to using social media websites. Often times, it is the ONLY way their child is communicating, and can become a problem.
So don’t let it consume you!!! Be apart of this community and tune in to the REAL (not virtual) world.
JCarmell's blog 
I agree that social media can potentially cause unwanted issues and that it can potentially be a distraction in a classroom if misused. But I don’t think educators should ignore the possibilities of using it as an educational tool. For instance, I think the way we are using Blogs in our classroom is fantastic– I will certainly use this concept in my future classroom. I’ve never used Twitter, so I really don’t know how it could be used in the classroom, but I do use Facebook and I can think of ways to use it for classroom activities. For instance, the Dept of Education at CSULA created a private group for students and faculty. And in this group people could post questions and concerns, offer advice, share new ideas, post articles others may find useful or interesting, post links to conferences, etc. I was a part of this group and I found it to be helpful. And I think this same concept could be used in a K-12 class too. There are ways for the teacher to set privacy settings to ensure only certain individuals can participate in the group and teachers can monitor what content is being shared.
I don’t think social media should necessarily be viewed as an annoyance and be totally disconnected from the classroom. I think that there are ways to use it effectively that can potentially enhance a learning experience. I think we should explore all possible ways to make learning fun and engaging.
I agree with you Jodi, I think that educators should use technology as an educational tool to help bring diversity in the classroom. I can probably find a reason to use sites like facebook, or possibly even twitter, but I don’t feel there is enough educational content on those sites to include them into a elementary classroom. I can see how they would become more useful for those older students (maybe junior high or high school) since they are already using these sites. But I feel that there are alternate sites out there that can be used versus social media sites like facebook and twitter, for what is trying to be accomplished. Blogs are awesome, and I agree with using those sites in the classroom setting. I just wanted to let you know that I am not totally against using these sites, I just feel there are other sites to get the same point across that have a less social, more educational approach. Could I think of a reason to use facebook in a high school classroom, probably yes. Like you said it is great for organizing or creating groups, even to include parents for informational purposes. But I lack finding other reasons to explain how facebook could be useful in a classroom, especially with elementary students.
Sorry, I hope that came across okay. I don’t want you to think that I am completely against social media sites. I like to think that I have a pretty open mind when it comes to bringing in new ideas or perspective. I just feel like facebook and twitter are the only two sites that wouldn’t need to be included when integrating lessons.
Hi Janice,
I once deactivated my facebook account. I was REactivated 2 hours later, I just couldn’t do it! For me, it’s like that car accident, I just have to turn and look. I will say, out of the “friends,” I have listed on FB, I’ve probably gone and modified my settings so that I don’t see their hourly posts. I find myself shaking my head and rolling my eyes when I see the “Just woke up, walked to the kitchen, made bacon and eggs with orange juice, yum.” “WHO CARES!!” I find myself saying. On the other hand, though, I do see it being tremendously useful. In December of 2011, my cousin in Mexico was in a MAJOR car accident and was literally on the verge of dying. Instead of calling my aunt every ten minutes as they worked to remove 6 blot clots in her brain, she would update my cousin’s progression on facebook. This made it so much easier for my aunt to communicate to us what was going on. She later told me she was so grateful for having had FB, because it made it seem like all of us here in the USA were there with her. Because of situations like that, I love my facebook. In terms of using social media like this in school, I’m on the fence. I see its potential benefits, I just am afraid students would be highly distracted and think I’d instead be able to set up threads and blogs, like this one, where students wouldn’t have as many distractions. Who know’s where technology will lead us, though!
Let me start by saying I do not know the answer to the facebook in the classroom question. Part of me wants to be as tech savvy as possible and be full throttle. The other side of me has serious hesitations. I have seen teachers go too far with online communication, with horrible consequences. Not only can students misuse technology, teachers can too. I was watching some late night show a while back and Adam Goldberg (the guy who got beat up in dazed and confused) was on talking about facebook. He had a very similar tone to you Janice. Like all of us in this class, this guy is a very bright individual. He coined a great term about facebook I use to this day. “Facebook is where narcissism meets voyeurism.” It is a place where our ego goes crazy, as well as a place where were “spy” on other peoples lives. Trust me, when I was younger, I had a lot of distain for facebook. I totally respect the fact that you are a no BS type of person who says “not in my classroom.” I love the fact that you want to use sites that you think are better than facebook. As teachers our job is to show students what we think is the best path to realizing student potential. It sounds like you are all about that path. Great post, way to call it how you see it. see you next week!