Have you seen them? I sure have. Those social media zombies that are walking around in our hallways…sitting in our classrooms. They are the new generation of students. These students are slave to the age of social media influencers and other entertainers. 🤦🏾
In today’s digital world, social media
holds a powerful grip on students’ attention. From TikTok videos to Instagram
stories and YouTube influencers, our students are constantly bombarded with fast-paced
content that seems to hold them mesmerized. As teachers, we are facing an
uphill battle trying to keep your students focused and engaged in the
classroom. While banning social media is nearly impossible, building
meaningful, real-life connections with our students can help teachers compete
with its influence.
How Can Teachers Compete with Social Media’s Influences on
Students?
Before we can compete with social
media for the attention of our students, we must first understand the appeal
that social media has.
Understanding the Appeal of Social Media
Some key reasons that our students are
attracted to social media:
- Instant Gratification – Social media provides quick entertainment,
validation, and information. And, our students love to be entertained, and
they long for validation and acceptance.
- Personalized Content – Algorithms cater to individual interests. These
makes those social media platforms highly engaging. Our students are
literally mesmerized like a frightened bunny when the snake rattles its
tail.
- Sense of Belonging – Likes, comments, and followers create a sense
of social acceptance. Tweens and teens long for to belong. They need to
feel loved and “seen”.
- Interactive and Visual Learning – Many students prefer video content and
interactive media over traditional lectures. Social media offers our students
the change to engage with interactive components.
By understanding these factors, you can
adjust your teaching methods to provide similar engagement in a more
educational and meaningful way.
Create a Classroom Culture of
Connection
Students gravitate toward social media
because it makes them feel heard and valued. You can foster a similar sense of
belonging in your classroom by:
- Learning Students’ Interests – Take time to learn about what excites students
outside of school. You can do this using interest inventories at the
beginning of school and throughout the school year.
- Encouraging Open Discussions – Create a classroom environment where students
feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and opinions. It can be hard,
but you can encourage open, honest communication with your students.
- Using Humor and Relatability – A little humor and personal storytelling can
make teachers more approachable and relatable.
- Acknowledging Achievements – Recognizing student success, both big and
small, helps build motivation and trust.
Make Lessons More Engaging
Social media captivates students with
its dynamic, interactive content. You are going to have to make your content
more engaging. But, how? As an educator, you are already pressed for time. The
following are ways to do it:
- Incorporating Technology – Utilize apps, educational YouTube videos, or
interactive platforms to make learning feel less traditional.
- Use games – Turn lessons into challenges, competitions, or group activities
to keep students interested.
- Encourage Student Creativity – Encourage your students to create their own
content. Some examples of this are mini-presentations, blogs, or short
videos related to class topics.
- Varying Teaching Methods – Alternate between discussions, hands-on
activities, and digital content to prevent boredom.
Leverage Social Media for Learning
Instead of viewing social media as the
enemy, teachers can use it as a tool to enhance learning:
- Classroom Hashtags and Discussions – Create a class-specific hashtag for students to
share thoughts and insights on a topic. (I absolutely love this idea, and
your students will too! ❤️)
- Educational Social Media Assignments – Encourage students to analyze
trends, create educational posts, or follow experts in the subject area.
- Virtual Classrooms and Groups – Use platforms like Google Classroom to
facilitate discussions.
Strengthen One-on-One Relationships
Many students turn to social media for
emotional support and validation. It can be hard to believe, but your students
do care what you think. Despite some of their “tough” exterior, they you’re
your support and understanding. Teachers can provide a real-life alternative
by:
- Checking In Regularly – A simple “How are you doing?” can go a long way
in making students feel valued.
- Being Available for Support – Offer time before or after class for students
to talk about concerns or struggles with you.
- Actively Listening – Show genuine interest in students’ thoughts and
ideas rather than just their academic performance.
Teach Social Media Balance & Digital Literacy
Our students need balance. They need
to understand that social media can be all consuming, but they can’t allow it
to take over their lives. You need to help your students develop a healthy
relationship with social media. This is just as important as keeping them
engaged in class. Teachers can:
- Discuss the Downsides of Social Media – Talk about the impact of
misinformation, comparison culture, and screen addiction.
- Encourage Mindful Use – Teach students about setting screen time limits
and consuming content intentionally.
- Model Balanced Behavior – Show students that real-life interactions are
just as, if not more, important than online ones.
Social media’s influence on your students
isn’t going away 😪,
but you don’t have to see it as a losing
battle. Instead, view this new age as a chance to connect with your students.
You start by building authentic relationships, creating engaging lessons, and
leveraging social media positively. You can make real-life connections that
rival the digital world. In doing so, you will not only capture your students’
attention, but you will also be helping them develop the skills they need to
balance technology with meaningful in-person experiences. You will showing your
students that the most valuable relationships aren’t found through a screen,
but in the real world around them instead.
Happy Teaching!!!
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