Objects of Interest

The question most educators seem to ask about social media and Web 2.0 applications is, "What can I do with them in my classroom?" I am working on a list of project ideas for implementing social learning in the classroom. PLEASE feel free to add to the list in the comments section. I would like to continue to build out the list of project ideas and then make it available to everyone. 

General Ideas for Using Social Media in the Classroom

• Class Blog. Create a class blog and share it publicly to let others know what your class is learning and doing. Add an RSS feed so students can subscribe to the blog and get updates on the go.
• Individual Student Blogs - Enable students to blog on their own to learn how to share their work with others. Journals are great tools for critical reflections.
• Post homework, notes, and lectures - provide easy access for students. Share materials, news, current events, changes to syllabus or class schedule.
• Share resources / build a class knowledgebase. Both students and instructors can share interesting websites related to class topics via social media.
• Brainstorm - Students can brainstorm on class topics during class and outside of class providing more opportunities for sharing great thoughts.
• Multimedia. Easily embed content from other sites to share with the entire class. Integrate videos, podcasts and embed YouTube or other videos into your courses. 

Writing and Literature Ideas

• Create a class newsletter and keep parents informed about what you are doing.
• Group students for study buddies, shared note taking, and to collaborate on work together. 
• News Stories: Students write news stories on school, community, or world topics and create a news wiki.
• Book Reviews: Students write book reviews and collaborate to create a wiki.
• Literary Elements of a Novel: Groups research and evaluate symbolism, characters, theme, etc. Students then build a wiki page.
• Poetry Wiki: Students write poems and add them to pages on a wiki.
• Vocabulary Wiki: Students create vocabulary wiki of key words and concepts. Pages can include the definition, a sentence using the word, an image, etc.

Collaborative Math Projects:

• Show Your Work Wiki: Students create a page that shows detailed steps about how to solve a math problem.
• Problem Solving Wiki: Students work together to solve a word problem provided by the teacher.
• Famous Mathematicians: Groups research a famous mathematician and his/her contribution to math today. Students then create wiki pages of the findings.

Social Studies and Geography:

• Conflicts: Groups work together to research specific battles and create a page about that battle.
• States: Students research state capitals, symbols, nicknames, brief history, etc. Students work collaboratively to create a wiki page on the state.
• Industrial Revolution: Students research different aspects of the Industrial Revolution and report on a wiki page.
• Understanding Cultures Wiki: Students research a culture and work in groups to explore topics such as holidays, religion, traditions and beliefs.

Science Projects:

• Body Systems: Students create wiki pages on the different organ systems in the body.
• Planets: Groups work to research a planet and post findings and pictures on a wiki page.
• World Climates or Biomes: Students choose a climate or biome and research temperature, rainfall, humidity, etc. Students then create a wiki page including the findings.
• Animal Classification: Groups choose to research reptiles, fish, amphibians, birds, or mammals and create a wiki page including research findings.