Description
The course will move from an introduction of the new technological world, towards a practical application of different social media programs. Emphasis will be placed on the most popular social media and on their potential in educational settings. Teachers will be provided with a wide range of practical teaching activities to enable them to make their classes more effective and enjoyable. At the same time, we will move from the negative aspects and dangers that technology can hide, such as Cyberbullying, to its positive side, and the responsible and useful usage of these tools.
By the end of the course, you will be able to “speak” the same language of the new generations of students and have a clearer understanding of their world by enhancing engagement and improving the communication between students and teachers.
New generations of students have available to them a tremendous amount of information and possibilities, and today’s teachers can help and guide them in exploiting the Web in a positive way.
Concept by: Iacopo Falciani
Requirments
Suggested computer proficiency: Basic
Learning outcomes
The course will help the participants to:
- Get to know the general theories about technology and social media;
- Know the most dangerous consequences of technology in our lives, (including Cyberbullying and Addictions to Technology);
- Understand more deeply, what it means to be a teenager in the Digital Age;
- Understand the positive aspects of social media: how can we implement social media in our classroom in order to enhance the students’ engagement and strengthen the communication with them, focusing on 3 categories of social media: classroom management, video lessons, quizzes;
- Learn how students can positively use technology in their own private life, to understand the world and express their talents.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Course introduction & the technology revolution
Course introduction
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker activities using drama for trust and ensemble building;
- Identification of needs and goals for each participant and relevant populations;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools.
The technology revolution
- The technology revolution and the new paradigm of a digital native’s life: way of communication, emotional wellbeing and Emotional Intelligence, information overload, super stimuli, paradox of choice.
Day 2 – Digital culture
- The theory about the digital culture;
- Security, safety and privacy: the risks for kids and teenagers (grooming, cyber bullying, problems of attention and focusing, Stroop effect, addiction);
- Recognizing and what to do.
Day 3 – Using videos in lessons
- Learning how to use social media and videos, to enrich your classroom and to let your students learn with fun;
- YouTube;
- TED.
Day 4 – Using social media
- Knowing how to change your classroom with social media suitable for creating an engaging and effective classroom online environment;
- Padlet;
- Trello;
- Quizzes creator programs.
Day 5 – Social media platforms
- The most famous social media: the old ones (Facebook, Twitter) and the new ones (for example Instagram and Snapchat).
Day 6 – Excursion & course closure
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.
