When Social Media Became My Classroom

 

I used to think of social media as a distraction—something that belonged outside the classroom. But over the past few months, I've come to see it as something else entirely: a powerful learning tool, when used with intention.

Planning my lessons with social media isn't about picking the “trendiest” app or cramming every platform into my syllabus. It’s about asking the right questions: Does this tool support my students’ learning goals? Can they access it easily? Do they know how to use it? And perhaps most importantly, how can it empower them to contribute meaningfully?

I’ve started approaching lesson design like preparing for a potluck. I bring the foundation—the structure, the instructions, the objectives. But the flavor? That comes from the students. Their posts, their reflections, their voices.

Sometimes that means giving them a simple starting point—a ledge—to jump off from. Not too rigid, not too loose. Just enough structure to guide, but with room to explore. I’ve learned that too many tools can cause confusion. So now I anchor everything in one platform, then integrate others gently, like links in a chain.

Social media doesn’t replace my role—it magnifies it. And when done right, it creates a community where we all learn, teach, and grow—together.