This training is designed for you (the instructors), working at an institute in Monterey, California. Our institute provides training in over twenty-five languages. These training programs last up to 63 weeks, with the duration based on the difficulty of the language. Initially, you will learn about the various ways that social media has played a role in education. Additionally, you will be introduced to various social media platforms that are in use in education, including language learning. Due to the relatively young age of learners at the institute, we believe that this training will enable you to learn more about the various ways in which social media can be utilized to improve the learning provided to their students.

By the end of the training, you will learn about the topics below:

1) The advances in social media and its use in the field of education

2) The impact and use of social media in language learning

3) The use of social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest & Whatsapp) in education, including language learning.

4) The use of class blogs to increase student engagement

This course is available to all instructors working at the institute. There will be a total of seven training sessions for the course. The training sessions will take place on Tuesdays, with student updates due by the Monday after. You will use the laptops or/and iPads provided to you by the institute for this training.

Before starting the module and looking at the slides and videos, can you tell us what you know about the use of social media by today’s youth? How is social media used in education? Have you used any social media platforms in your classes? 

Social media has been defined in a number of ways. Some definitions are "synonymous with those of Web 2.0, some encompass e-learning and distance learning tools and some have a narrower focus" (Cheston et al., 2013). McGowan and colleagues state that "social media websites and applications are online environments where users contribute, retrieve, and explore content primarily generated by fellow users", (as cited in Cheston et al., 2013).

The current generation of students are more familiar with the use of social media than any past generation (Garcia & Garcia, 2022). According to Espinel-Rubio, Hernández-Suárez, and Padra-Núñez (2021), the average daily time spent on social media is two hours and twenty-four minutes, with Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp being the apps that are most in use (as cited in Garcia & Garcia, 2022). This familiarity with social networking sites presents great opportunities for learning, where these platforms are used to bridge formal and informal learning (Greenhow & Lewin, 2014). Social media is now widely used in education by teachers and students including its being used often directly as teaching resources (Burbles, 2016).

Figure 1. Social Media. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/hermosareina/social-media-and-education-advantages-and-disadvantages

The video (0:02-2:22) below provides an introduction to social media. The author also provides a glimpse into Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (5:08- 6:00).

(TeXplaiNIT, 2019)

Figure 2. Why use Social Media in Language Teaching and Learning. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/hermosareina/social-media-and-education-advantages-and-disadvantages

Figure 3. Activities you can do using Social Media. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/hermosareina/social-media-and-education-advantages-and-disadvantages

The video below describes how social media is transforming education. Kindly watch this short video in its entirety.

According to Berroa (2015), some of the advantages of using social media include the following:

1) It’s a familiar tool as most students use social networking sites these days. Therefore, students are generally comfortable using these sites, due to their familiarity.

2) Can engage with your students.

3) Can share resources such as learning materials.

4) Social networking sites are mostly free.

5) Shy students may be more comfortable while taking part in conversations online.

6) Can promote student autonomous learning.

7) In language learning, teachers can act as a moderator or advisors.

Berroa (2015) also mentions some of the disadvantages of using social media which are:

1) Students can be distracted when online.

2) Limited face-to-face interactions.

3) Inappropriate content sharing. Schools and teachers have to be vigilant in order to protect children from exposure.

(Assignment Desk UK, 2019)

Activity: Class Discussion- Do you know about the use of social media in language education, either in formal or informal settings?

Update:

1. Create an update: Describe how you think social media can be utilized to improve student learning.

2. Comment on at least three updates posted by students this week.

Instagram is a popular social media platform much loved by the young generation, that allows users to take pictures, apply filters to them and share them with others. It can also be used to share educational videos with captions (Augustin & Ayu, 2021). Instagram is also being used by students and teachers in numerous ways in educational settings such as in writing assignments (Anggraeni, 2017). Listening and vocabulary learning are important aspects of language learning and Instagram has been used to provide practice in these areas (Augustin & Ayu, 2021). The integration of Instagram in task-based language activities has a positive impact on students and increases their motivation (Azlan et al., 2019).

The video below explains the use of Instagram in education.

(ConvergeConsulting, 2014)

The figure below provides a look into how Instagram has been used by teachers for writing assignments:

Figure 6. Anggraeni, C. W. (2017, April). Students perspectives toward the use of Instagram in writing class. In English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Proceedings (Vol. 1, pp. 68-74).

The figure below shows an example of student work related to writing assignment 1.

Figure 7. Anggraeni, C. W. (2017, April). Students perspectives toward the use of Instagram in writing class. In English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Proceedings (Vol. 1, pp. 68-74).

Peer feedback can also be an important element of writing assignments on Instagram, as students comment on each other's work. A study where fifty-six students used Instagram for writing assignments in their class showed that students had an overall positive experience using the platform for learning (Anggraeni, 2017). The figure below presents the student's feedback related to the use of Instagram.

Figure 8. Anggraeni, C. W. (2017, April). Students perspectives toward the use of Instagram in writing class. In English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Proceedings (Vol. 1, pp. 68-74).

The video below explains how to set up an Instagram account, to be used for education.

The video below explains how to set up an Instagram page for the school or institute.

(Ridgeway Marketing, 2019)

The video below discusses some of the ways in which Instagram can be used in language teaching.

(Dow, 2016)

The video below shows how to change the language on the Instagram app.

(Belles, 2019)

Activity: Participants will spend approx 25 minutes setting up an Instagram account, posting a comment and practise changing the language on the app.

Update: 

1. Create an update: Have you used Instagram? If yes, explain how you used it as well as its impact on student learning. If you have not used it, please explain how you can utilize this tool for student learning in your classes.

2. Comment on at least three updates posted by students this week.

Twitter is a platform that allows users to send messages or tweets, which can be seen publically on the internet (Wesely, 2013).  Twitter users can also search for hashtags (e.g. #langchat, #edchat), which can connect them to specialized resources (Wesley, 2013). 

In order to use Twitter, a profile ID has to be created which is displayed as @username and the limit for the messages is a maximum size of 140 characters. Messages from others can also be forwarded in an action known as retweeting (Hermandaoglu, 2012). Twitter allows users to follow each other and this lets them see all messages posted by the person being followed. The updates are in real-time with users being able to see posts in an instant manner.

Twitter is increasingly being used in education as a tool that enhances student collaboration and interaction (Taskira et al, 2018; Lord & Lomicka, 2014). Twitter has been ranked as the top two tools which educators " have expressed an inclination to use in their future classrooms (Tang & Hew, 2017). By taking part in meaningful conversations outside the classroom in the target language, students can get immediate feedback from their peers as well as teachers.

The video below shows how to set up a Twitter account, follow users and send messages.

(Dear DISes, 2018)

The video below shows how Twitter can be utilized by teachers in their classrooms.

(IT WORKED, 2017)

The video below provides insight into the benefits of using Twitter for language learning.

(Gozwan, 2016)

The video below shows an example of Twitter being used in language learning.

(Claussen, 2014)

Class activity: Participants will spend 25 minutes navigating Twitter, setting up an account and posting a message.

Update:

1. Create an update: Describe how Twitter can be utilised for student learning in your classrooms? Please share your experiences if you have used it before. 

2. Comment on at least three updates posted by students this week.

Launched in 2010, Pinterest has become a popular social networking tool which lets users collect, bookmark, and organize different websites in a visual manner (Knouse & Abreu, 2016). Pinterest members share images and comments, which can be viewed by followers. In educational settings, it is being used by teachers and students to share as well as search for resources in the area of learning and it has made a real impact in this area (Hansen et al., 2012). Teachers are also using it to develop lesson plans, organize useful websites for their classes, find inspirational quotes and resources as well as for collaborating with other instructors (Knouse & Abreu, 2016). Pinterest provides a way for students to engage with others inside and outside the classroom, while also forming a connection with the course topic (Schoper, 2015).

"Pinterest looks like a large storeroom full of teaching materials that make the classroom more vivid, more interesting and catchy for learners. The language classroom, supported by Pinterest, resembles a language laboratory where the language isn’t just taught and learnt, but also lived, touched, thought and spoken" (Veselinova & Ristova, n.d.).

Figure 13. Koster, J. (2016). Getting the Picture: Engaging Student Learning Using Pinterest.

Pinterest accounts are free and easy to use. Pinterest allows users to search for their favourite boards as well as follow them. Similar to Twitter, Pinterest will show all new pins from followed boards on the user's main page (Cierra, 2020). Members can also share the pins of other users, with the reposted pin known as a "repin" (Knouse & Abreu, 2016).

The video below provides insight into using Pinterest in educational settings.

(Whiteman, 2015)

The figure below shows the results of a teacher survey, where the responses reflect the various ways in which teachers reported using Pinterest. In the survey, teachers mentioned that they use Twitter to search for ideas related to specific content areas such as English language arts, Maths, science etc as well as to find tools and strategies to support instruction. A number of teachers also reported using Pinterest to gather ideas relates to areas such as project-based learning, differentiated learning, science explorations and crafts (Schroder et al., 2019).

Figure 13. Schroeder, S., Curcio, R., & Lundgren, L. (2019). Expanding the learning network: How teachers use Pinterest. Journal of research on technology in education, 51(2), 166-186.

Pinterest can be an engaging way to learn a language through features such as vocabulary in a target language presented in a fun, visual way. The figure below shows an example of a pin for the use of a French phrase (you like it).  Pinterest can assist teachers in organizing artefacts, articles and videos in the target language for their students (Knouse & Abreu, 2016).

Figure 10. Meaghan. (2014). Pinguistics: Using Pinterest to Learn a Language. Retrieved from https://blogs.transparent.com/language-news/2014/11/26/pinguistics-using-pinterest-to-learn-a-language/

(Dow, 2016)

A search for a vocabulary in a target language on Pinterest can lead to numerous resources, as can be seen in the figure below. Images that are of interest to a learner can be saved on a board, so the user can access them in one area or later reference (Cierra, 2020). 

Figure 12. Cierra. (2020). 5 easy ways you can use Pinterest to learn a foreign language. Retrieved from https://www.culturedsimplicity.com/2020/03/21/why-you-should-be-using-pinterest-to-learn-a-foreign-language/

The videos below provide a detailed look into how Pinterest can be used in language teaching. The videos include instructions such as creating boards and uploading pins.

(Emilia, 2012)

(Emilia, 2012)

Class activity: Participants will spend 25 minutes navigating Pinterest, setting up an account and pinning a post.

Update:

1. Create an update: Have you used Pinterest? If yes, explain how you used it as well as its impact on student learning. If you have not used Pinterest, please explain how you can utilize this tool for student learning in your classes.

2. Comment on at least three updates posted by students this week.

eo Facebook is the world's most active social media platform with 2.9 billion users, as reported in July 2022 (Datareportal, 2022). Facebook enables collaboration and connectivity on a massive scale, allowing users to create and share content as well as build relationships (Chugh & Ruhi, 2017). Facebook is one of the most popular sites for educators as well. Using Facebook for educational purposes leads to increased interactions between teachers and students as well as between students themselves, improvement in performance, a convenient mode of learning and higher engagement (Chugh & Ruhi, 2017). 

In the video below, teachers and students discuss using Facebook in education.

(Mahraj, 2014)

One of the great benefits of using Facebook in educational settings is due to the familiarity of today's generation with the platform. This makes it easier for them to benefit from it for educational purposes. Students were more engaged in doing homework when teachers started posting the assignments on Facebook (Buga et al., 2014). Just like in other educational areas, Facebook has great potential when it comes to language learning. Teachers can set up class pages and post materials (texts, images, videos, audio), which can be accessed and worked upon by their students (Slim & Hafedh, 2019). Lee (2006) mentions how Facebook use enhanced " students’ oral proficiency, vocabulary acquisition, and syntactic complexity in the Korean language", as cited in Slim & Hafedh, 2019). In language learning classes, students using Facebook were more comfortable and showed greater interest in writing assignments leading to an improvement in their abilities (Friatin, 2018). Putri & Aminatun (2021) agree and mention that " Facebook provides great opportunities to practise writing as students post their work, reply to their peers and received feedback themselves. Due to its global reach, Facebook provides students with more opportunities for interactions in the target language, leading to an improvement in their abilities" (Leung et al., 2022).

The video below shows a Facebook page, created for a Korean teaching class, where the speaker also discusses some of its features. 

(Chun, 2017)

The video below shows a detailed look into how to setup a Facebook group for classes. Students can be added to the Facebook page and the teacher can post all updates, assignments, discussions and homework on it.

(Sharon, 2019)

The video below explains how to change language settings on Facebook.

(Northville Tech, 2019)

Class Activity: Create a Facebook page for your language class and spend approx 25 minutes navigating the site, and then post an assignment in the target language.

Update:

1. Create an update: Describe your experience of using Facebook and explain how the various features within it can be utilized for student learning.

2. Comment on at least three updates posted by students this week.

In the video below (4:30- 5:55), Derek Muller, the founder of a Youtube channel called Vertiasum talks at the world government summit about the ability of social media in transforming the future of education. Later in the video (17:50- 19:46), he mentions education as being a social process and the importance of peers and teachers in the process of learning.

(Muller, 2016)

The video below provides tips for using social media to learn languages.

(MosaLingua, 2019)

Figure 19. Social Media Advantages. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/hermosareina/social-media-and-education-advantages-and-disadvantages

Update

1. Create an update: Write a reflection paper (min. 1500 words) about how the knowledge gained in this training can assist you in utilizing social media platforms to enhance the learning offered to your students, including covering the areas below:

a) Increased student engagement

b) Increased student collaboration

c) Please provide an example of one additional social media platform (not covered in this training) that you have used for your students. If you haven't used any you can research and include one that you may be interested in. 

The following rubric will be used by peers to grade your work as well as for self-review.

Rubric for paper

2. Comment on at least three updates posted by students this week.

3. Kindly fill out the survey below and submit it in the section highlighted by the instructor.

Survey Questions

During this workshop, you learned about the advances in social media and its impact on the field of education, including in language learning. You learned about the various ways in which social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest & Whatsapp are used in education and language learning. You were able to create accounts and practised the various tools, available within these platforms. We hope that you will utilize some of the knowledge gained in this training module to improve the learning provided to your students. 

The results of the survey will help inform us in designing future training sessions.

Thank you for participating in this training workshop. We wish you all the best with your classroom instructions. Please feel free to contact the Instructor if you have any questions.