It appears that most teachers today underestimate the amount of learning that is happening among youth outside of schools. Since this informal learning sometimes dubbed “hanging out”, “messing around” or “geeking out” happens outside of the classroom and doesn’t look like traditional learning, it’s easy for educators to miss. The quality and quantity of learning, the process by which it occurs, and the way authority is established in these informal environments, should be something that teachers become familiar with. Will Richardson, who writes extensively on these matters, believes that, “One of the biggest challenges educators face right now is figuring out how to help students create, navigate, and grow the powerful, individualized networks of learning that bloom on the Web and helping them do this effectively, ethically, and safely.” (see article)
"Educators and students must both learn to participate in the social media realm, but participate in a way that is smart, educational and valuable. Since we are educating them on effective communication, we must be prepared to use social media tools inside of the classroom to get this point across. From personal conversations with other educators using social media, and chats with #SMCEDU, its clear that social media integration is not widely accepted or practiced across the USA. Its something Social Media Club- EDU aims to help facilitate through guidelines, training workshops, best practices and policy."
