Minds On
Using social media
Social media can affect different aspects of many people’s lives and might take up a lot of time and energy. Independently or with a partner, brainstorm how people use social media and which aspects of social media they may spend more time and energy on.
Record your ideas in an audio recording, on paper, on the computer, or through partner discussion.
After brainstorming, individually answer the poll question in the following link:
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
After you have voted, discuss the following questions:
- How does social media affect everyday life?
- Can social media be distracting?
- Can social media bring positive opportunities?
- If you do not use social media applications, do you feel as though you’re missing out? What might you be missing out on?
- If you do use social media applications, do you feel that it causes you to miss out on other things? What might you be spending more time doing?
- Do you think it is possible to be addicted to social media?
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Action
Analyzing our social media use
There are many issues that surround the use of social media. Take some time to analyze how you use social media. Record your responses using the graphic organizer below or an organizational tool of your choice. Consider the following questions:
- What social media applications are you aware of?
- How often do you or your friends check or post on social media accounts each day?
- Why might you or your peers choose not to use social media?
Complete My Social Media Use in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
| My Social Media Use | ||
|---|---|---|
| Social media application | Amount of time spent online, or the amount of time you would spend online if you could | Positive and negative impacts on daily life |
| Example: Instagram | 53 minutes per day |
Positive impacts: Keeps me connected to my family and friends |
|
Negative impacts: Less time to do hobbies |
||
| 1. | Positive impacts: | |
| Negative impacts: | ||
| 2. | Positive impacts: | |
| Negative impacts: | ||
| 3. | Positive impacts: | |
| Negative impacts: | ||
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access My Social Media Use.
Reflecting on our social media use
Now that you have completed the activity, reflect on your own findings. Consider the following questions:
- How much time do you spend online, or would you spend online, if given the opportunity?
- What social media applications or websites would you be willing to give up?
- Do you feel that social media is an effective media text? Why or why not?
Consolidation
Social media survey
There are many different types of social media applications and they are often used for a variety of different purposes.
Survey others, if possible, to get a better idea of which social media applications are popular, what makes them popular, and how they can use these applications safely.
Extend your research by looking at other resources to find out how many users there are for each application from your survey.
Complete Social Media Survey in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
| Social Media Survey | ||
|---|---|---|
| Social Media Application | Main Purpose of Application | How to Use the Application Safely |
| 1. Number of users: | ||
| 2. Number of users: | ||
| 3. Number of users: | ||
| 4. Number of users: | ||
| 5. Number of users: | ||
| 6. Number of users: | ||
| 7. Number of users: | ||
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Social Media Survey.
Reflecting on our social media surveys
Using the format of your choice, complete a reflection by answering the following questions:
- Based on your research and discussion, what are the most popular social media applications?
- Why do you think these applications are the most popular?
Writing thoughtful responses
Use the checklist below to ensure that your responses to the reflection questions are thoughtful.
Reflection Checklist
Have I included:
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel...
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, text-to-speech, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.