Social Media Classroom
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Social Media Classroom
Making dynamic use of social media and technology to enhance education and learning. Interesting information on education, technology and educational technologies.
Curated by Seth Dixon
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How important are high school courses to college performance? Less than you might think

How important are high school courses to college performance? Less than you might think | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Gregory Ferenstein and Brad Hershbein discuss previous research that indicates high school course completion (even in advanced courses) has little impact on subsequent college performance in the same subject, and offer new and more comprehensive evidence on the subject. The authors conclude that policy efforts to increase the share of high school students taking advanced courses are unlikely to significantly increase the share of well-prepared college students.
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Why today’s college students don’t want to be teachers

Calling today’s undergraduates privileged or spoiled is similarly reductionistic. Certainly, economic diversity remains a persistent problem in American higher education. But one can find numerous examples of students who, despite growing up in poverty and navigating tragically under-resourced schools, persevere to become the first in their family to attend college. These remarkable individuals are among the most likely to pursue careers in social work, community organizing, or public health with plans to return home and give back to their communities.But they do not want to become teachers.


But finding candidates to fill this role, especially good candidates, may be more difficult than policymakers are willing to admit. Despite their clear interest in public service, the students I meet betray little enthusiasm for teaching as it now exists. And I see even less indication that major trends in public education—standardization, the proliferation of testing, the elimination of tenure and seniority, and expansion of school choice—have made teaching any more attractive as a career option. Prospective teachers, much like the young educators already working in schools, are especially skeptical of accountability measures that tie a teacher’s job security or pay grade to student test scores. And many are bothered by the way teachers are blamed for much broader social problems.

John Peterson's comment, December 19, 2015 1:40 PM
Thank you for interesting post.
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Helicopter Parenting Damages Kids – And Society

Helicopter Parenting Damages Kids – And Society | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Julie Lythcott-Haims noticed a disturbing trend while she was a dean at Stanford University. Her research has led to a book.
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Don't Even Say It! 15 Questions That No Teacher Wants To Hear

Don't Even Say It!  15 Questions That No Teacher Wants To Hear | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
You are happy to see students' hands raised ... until you hear one of these questions come out of their mouths.
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If Your Teacher Likes You, You Might Get A Better Grade

If Your Teacher Likes You, You Might Get A Better Grade | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Like likes like: New research supports the notion that teachers favor those who favor them.
Seth Dixon's insight:

This is not surprising, but worth using as a moment to reflect on your own personal practices and the system. 

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New Research Shows Free Online Courses Didn't Grow As Expected

New Research Shows Free Online Courses Didn't Grow As Expected | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
A new study of free, online college courses says that growth fell short of early expectations, as well as a pattern among users: mostly college-educated, including a surprising number of teachers.


Just a few years ago, the Massive Open Online Course was expected to reinvent higher education. Millions of people were signing up to watch Web-based, video lectures from the world's great universities. Some were completing real assignments, earning certificates and forming virtual study groups — all for free.

Surely the traditional college degree would instantly collapse.

Today, much of that hype has subsided (though best-selling authors and newspaper columnists are still making the case that "the end of college" is nigh). And new research on 1.7 million MOOC participants offers a more nuanced view of just what these courses are and could become.

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Frank Bruni talks college admissions madness

Frank Bruni talks college admissions madness | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
High anxiety. It’s that time of year when many high school seniors find out where they may be spending the next four years. Some will be celebrating the fact that they are “the chosen,” while others will be bitterly disappointed. The bad news used to be in a telltale thin envelope. Today rejection is just a mouse click away. Now, as it was then, it’s a difficult pill to swallow. New York Times op-ed columnist Frank Bruni decided enough was enough.
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Techniques for Unleashing Student Work from Learning Management Systems

Techniques for Unleashing Student Work from Learning Management Systems | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Learning management systems, like Blackboard and Moodle, have helped educators manage assignments. However, the LMS can be an obstacle to letting students take their work with them while connecting to the greater world.
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My fake college syllabus

My fake college syllabus | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
As your professor, I plan to take your money, never read your essays and pretend you're not checking Facebook
Seth Dixon's insight:

This is pretty awesome. 

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6 Alternative Social Media Tools for Teaching and Learning

6 Alternative Social Media Tools for Teaching and Learning | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Facebook and Twitter may be ubiquitous, but there are many other social media tools out there that can enhance teaching and learning. Here, three educators share their favorites.
Seth Dixon's insight:

I was glad to be interviewed for this article...and yes, scoop.it is clearly my favorite social media platform for education. 

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America as 100 College Students

America as 100 College Students | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it

A great infographic that distills US higher ed student demographics and characteristics into a representative 100 students.


Via Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)
Rich Schultz's curator insight, January 12, 2015 2:49 PM

Check this out in detail!

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8 Myths That Undermine Educational Effectiveness

8 Myths That Undermine Educational Effectiveness | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Edutopia blogger Mark Phillips examines eight myths that drive education policy, including the value of homework for students and merit pay for teachers, the irrelevance of funding and class size, and the fairness of college admissions.
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Life of an Educator: 10 reasons it's time to move beyond the textbook

Life of an Educator: 10 reasons it's time to move beyond the textbook | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Seth Dixon's insight:

Why only have 10 reasons listed?

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Our Kids Don't Need F@*#ing Pedal Desks, They Need Recess

Our Kids Don't Need F@*#ing Pedal Desks, They Need Recess | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Why are kindergartners even sitting in one place long enough to need pedal desks? That’s a question we should be asking ourselves.
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When—and Why—Did College Course Syllabi Get So Insanely Long?

When—and Why—Did College Course Syllabi Get So Insanely Long? | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Ten, 15, even 20 pages of policies, rubrics, and required administrative boilerplate, some so ludicrous (“course-specific expected learning outcomes”) that I myself have never actually read parts of my own syllabi all the way through.
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The Case Against Laptops in the Classroom

The Case Against Laptops in the Classroom | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Recent studies have shown that students learn better — and get better grades — when they take notes by hand.
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All Possible Humanities Dissertations Considered as Single Tweets

All Possible Humanities Dissertations Considered as Single Tweets | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Our discipline should study its own disciplinary formation; that study proves that our discipline shouldn't exist.
Seth Dixon's insight:

Brilliant...absolutely perfect. 

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PHD Comics: How To Write An E-mail To Your Instructor Or Teaching Assistant

PHD Comics: How To Write An E-mail To Your Instructor Or Teaching Assistant | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Link to Piled Higher and Deeper
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O Adjunct! My Adjunct!

O Adjunct! My Adjunct! | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it

We rhapsodize about teachers who inspire students to stand on their desks in academic ecstasy. But there is a culture of silence around adjuncting.

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Schools in Finland will no longer teach 'subjects'

Schools in Finland will no longer teach 'subjects' | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
For years, Finland has been the by-word for a successful education system, perched at the top of international league tables for literacy and numeracy.


More academic pupils would be taught cross-subject topics such as the European Union - which would merge elements of economics, history (of the countries involved), languages and geography.

There are other changes too, not least to the traditional format that sees rows of pupils sitting passively in front of their teacher, listening to lessons or waiting to be questioned. Instead there will be a more collaborative approach, with pupils working in smaller groups to solve problems while improving their communication skills.

zane alan berger's curator insight, March 25, 2015 7:02 PM

This article covers the change of educational systems in Finland.. It notes that this change from 'subject' to 'topic' is the largest change in educational programs, and also that its a radical change because Finland prior school system ranked 3rd among the best in the world

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Don't Quit the Social Networks You Hate. Bend Them to Your Will

Don't Quit the Social Networks You Hate. Bend Them to Your Will | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
We get it: No one likes Facebook. Twitter is full of trolls. Social networks can be a pain, but they're also great ways to stay in touch with friends and talk to new people. Even so, every few weeks we hear from someone who wants to just "quit" Facebook altogether. Here's why that's a silly idea, and what you can do instead that'll make you just as happy.
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Re-reading is inefficient. Here are 8 tips for studying smarter.

Re-reading is inefficient. Here are 8 tips for studying smarter. | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
The majority of students study by re-reading notes and textbooks — but the psychologists' research, both in lab experiments and of actual students in classes, shows this is a terrible way to learn material. Using active learning strategies — like flashcards, diagramming, and quizzing yourself — is much more effective, as is spacing out studying over time and mixing different topics together.

McDaniel spoke with me about the eight key tips he'd share with students and teachers from his body of research.
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6 Alternative Social Media Tools for Teaching and Learning

6 Alternative Social Media Tools for Teaching and Learning | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
Facebook and Twitter may be ubiquitous, but there are many other social media tools out there that can enhance teaching and learning. Here, three educators share their favorites.
Seth Dixon's insight:

Not suprisingly, Scoop.it is listed as one of these tools, but what is a delightful surprise is that I'm quoted throughout the article. 

Nora Morton's curator insight, October 10, 2016 3:14 PM
Dixon points out that many students are reluctant to use FB, twitter, or tools commonly used in their everyday social life.  Some alternatives mentioned: VoiceThread, Diigo, Feedly.
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A Look Inside the Classroom of the Future

A Look Inside the Classroom of the Future | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
To educate students for 21st-century careers, educators should be using real-world case studies, embracing complexity, practicing empathy, integrating technology, and encouraging reflection.
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2014: The Year of Outrage

2014: The Year of Outrage | Social Media Classroom | Scoop.it
  Following the news in 2014 is a bit like flying a kite in flat country during tornado season. Every so often, a whirlwind of outrage touches down, sowing destruction and chaos before disappearing into the sky. These conditions are hardly new. Over the past decade or so, outrage has...
Dennis Swender's curator insight, March 29, 2020 3:00 PM
Interesting contrasts with 2014