Social media is a part of everyone’s lives whether we like to admit it or not. However, it can also be a very useful tool in the classroom. That being said, despite its positive points, new research shows that only 13 percent of K-12 teachers have integrated social media in their classrooms.

“A University of Phoenix® College of Education survey conducted online by Harris Poll in April among 1,002 U.S. K-12 teachers finds only 13 percent of today’s K-12 teachers have integrated social media into classroom learning, with an overwhelming majority (87 percent) reporting they have not embraced social platforms,” according to a Business Wire release.

“Additionally, more teachers are citing a reluctance to incorporate social media into classroom learning than in 2013 (62 percent vs. 55 percent).”

Social media has been responsible for both negative and positive influences on children. However, being able to teach students the benefits and proper uses of the technology, they will be able to full take advantage of them. The report is citing reluctance to acknowledge the technology as the reason why educators aren’t taking advantage of social media in the classroom.

“We are living in a rapidly evolving world of digital and social media, and many students are totally immersed and well-versed in these platforms,” said Kathy Cook, dean of educational technology for University of Phoenix College of Education and former K-12 educator, according to the report.

“For teachers to stay current, keep students engaged and promote learning, it is important for teachers to acknowledge the influence of social media and understand how to use it to the benefit of their students.”

In order to get teachers jumpstarted with using social media in the classroom, Cook suggests creating student social media guidelines, using closed social media sites like Edmodo, connecting with other classrooms worldwide, getting in touch with experts across the globe, starting a classwide social service project and frankly, just being more educated about social media use in the classroom.

Should social media be a part of the K-12 classroom? Let us know your thoughts below in the comments.

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Related story: Seven Questions With the Author of New Social Media Lesson Plan Book.

Article by Navindra Persaud, Education World Contributor