A spotlight web page was created on the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) website last September, and asked if social media in the classroom is a good idea or not.

To use social media or not to use social media… that is the question facing many school districts across the country.

• Should video sharing sites like YouTube be used in the classroom?
• Should teachers use FaceBook or Twitter to communicate with their students during class and outside of the classroom?
• How can sites like this improve how we educate our students?

There are many questions with just as many answers circling around this issue. That’s why we’ve opened the discussion up to you: our parents, community members, students and staff. We’d like to get your thoughts on social media and how it should be used when it comes to educating our students. Read the comments below and chime in when you agree, disagree, or have an idea of your own that you’d like us to know about.

Check out the full article; there are answers from both camps.

How this effects you and your school:

Social media isn’t going anywhere, and since students are starting to have such sophisticated phones & portable devices, it’s going to come in the classroom.  As a school administrator, ask yourself: “Will I attempt to ban it altogether, or will I find a balance that appeases both teachers and students, while still making learning the priority?”

Thoughts? Leave a comment below.