Using Social Networking to Tackle
Tough Problems in Education
By Erika Orians
eorians@bucyrusschools.org
http://missspitler.wikispaces.com/
What is Schoology?
Tough Problems
• What are the biggest problems
that need to be addressed?
• Poll- you may take poll by text or
email.
• Poll created by: textthemob.com
Tough Problems
• Lack of student participation and
motivation
• Disorganized students and incomplete
assignments
• Budget cuts: limited books, resources,
and paper
Lack of student participation and motivation
• Looks and navigates like Facebook
• Students can comment and « like »
• Ideas receive positive feedback from
teacher and peers.
Lack of student participation and motivation
• Everyone has a voice.
• Students share deeper level
answers
• More comfortable with sharing
• They love to have civilized and
intelligent arguing.
Lack of student participation and motivation
Lack of student participation and motivation
• Videos and Pictures
• Interest Groups
– Clubs
– Sports
– Class groups
Click for Blog on Groups in
Classroom
HOME
Disorganized students and incomplete assignments
• Create assignments, discussions, quizzes
or tests
– Appears on students’ newsfeed and course
page.
Disorganized students and incomplete assignments
– Receive text or email notifications
• Teachers receive alerts too!
– Dramatic impact on my classroom
– Students know they will get feedback in
timely manner.
Disorganized students and incomplete assignments
The Digital Drop Box
– Alternative way to turn in
assignments
– Papers get messy and lost
– Can view if LATE or ON TIME
– Turn in early to recieve feedback
and fix
HOME
Budget cuts: limited books, resources, and paper
• Bucyrus in paper crisis!
– My classroom is 95%
paperless
• Schoology Topics
– Create (Topic) for each
unit taught
– Store notes,
presentations,
worksheets, study
materials, test/quizzes
Budget cuts: limited books, resources, and paper
• Shortage on books?
• Shortage on paper?
• No color printer?
• Scan documents, post as assignment
or quiz, students type answers and
upload!
• Perfect for maps, diagrams, charts,
and art
Example of Limited Paper/Resources Assignment
HOME
Schoology at Bucyrus