Integrating Social Networking Tools into ESL Writing Classroom
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
This article aimed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of integrating social networking tools(SNSs) into ESL writing classroom and find the ways to plan SNSs activities for the students. Although SNSs is a medium for individuals to share their likes and activities with one another, teachers can employ that technological medium for teaching and curriculur planning. However, teachers should consider and compare the cons and pros for using SNSs as well its applications.
Teaching writing online promotes the self confidence among students. This is also a sort of way for teachers to make sure that everyone is involved in the teaching and learning process. Besides, teachers and students can interact among themselves with no stress nor involving face to face interactions. Students can improve their writing skills when receiving enough input such as notes and informations from SNSs. In addition, the study materials are able to be presented in more familiar and comfortable ways. By multimedia interaction, students can share pictures, videos and links but they are taking the responsibilities not to misused the opportunities given by posting inappropriate photos or videos. Students are also given the freedom to write their comments and sharing ideas for motivational purposes and improve their writing.
Despite the advantages, SNSs may cause distraction too. There is a stack of risk that teachers and students might breeding inappropriate relationships through SNSs. Besides that, the processes involving SNSs may consume lots of time and energy in order to obtain correct materials online. Moreover, learners might not satisfy with the outcomes after all hardworks had been done. Furthermore, we are facing the fact that not every people have internet access especially in rural areas. Hence, the implementation of technology in teaching and learning process might face difficulties. Some people also find that reading materials online is tough as they are used to the book-centered approach. Furthermore, students are more keen to update their facebook or twitter statuses instead of doing the writing online. Nevertheless, students will put aside the thinking part in doing their writing because 'copy-paste' method is already making their lives easier.
Students should be confident in a way to improve their writing. Teachers can leave motivational comments after reading students' blogs or notes online. By doing this, students will be more encouraged to present better writings in the future. This is an excellence way to give the opportunity for students to gradually improve, rather than forcing them to hand in perfert works all the time. By implementing this method in teaching writing, both parties would be benefited and free of stress along the process.
My Experience:
Being a student is not really easy for me all this while. Students nowadays are facing more challenges whether academically or mentally due to the changing of globalisation where technology is already a must in our daily lives. After reading this article, I believe that the idea of using SNSs in schools are rather irrelevant that it posses more cons than the pros.
The reason why I am certainly get doubted with the idea is that I have experience the difficulties in dealing with technologies, ever since I was not in university. Not every people especially those who are living in rural areas are exposed to the technology. They will face the 'technology shock', instead of cultural shock if this is really going to be done. The best example should be me. Meanwhile, we have to know the fact that not every houses are capable to have the internet access. These unlucky people will definitely struggling hard along the way to adapt to the challenges. In addition, the privacy matter between two parties are going to be affected if there were no certain rules and regulations being carried on.
Thus, I think the social networking system should just better remained as socialising and interacting tools among people worlwides. By integrating this into the classroom will only create more chaos than contributing.
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