Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understand the Role of Social Media in Society:

   • Students will be able to comprehend the fundamental purpose of social media platforms and their role in society.
   • Students will analyze the impact of social media on communication and information sharing.

2. Identify the Key Features of Social Media Platforms:

   • Students will be able to identify and describe common features of various social media platforms.
   • Students will compare and contrast these features, recognizing the unique aspects of each platform.

3. Utilize Social Media Platforms for Educational Purposes:

   • Students will learn how to use social media platforms for educational purposes, such as research, information sharing, and collaboration.
   • Students will gain an understanding of how social media can be a tool for learning and not just for entertainment.

Secondary Objectives:

• Develop Digital Citizenship Skills:

  • Students will learn about responsible use of social media, including issues of privacy, online safety, and cyberbullying.
  • Students will understand the importance of maintaining a positive online presence and the potential consequences of inappropriate behavior.

• Enhance Digital Literacy:

  • Students will improve their skills in navigating and using social media platforms.
  • Students will learn how to critically evaluate information found on social media for accuracy and reliability.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

• Recall of Previous Knowledge:

  • The teacher will begin by asking students to recall what they know about social media. Students may share their personal experiences, providing a context for the lesson. (3 minutes)

• Problem Situations:

  • The teacher will then present two hypothetical situations to the class:
    1. A local business owner wants to promote their new product but doesn't know how to reach a wider audience.
    2. A student wants to research a topic for a school project but is struggling to find reliable sources. (4 minutes)

• Contextualization:

  • The teacher will explain that the use of social media can help solve these problems. They will also emphasize that social media is not just for personal use or entertainment, but can also be a valuable tool for business and education. (2 minutes)

• Real-World Applications:

  • The teacher will discuss the importance of social media in today's society, citing examples such as how businesses use social media for marketing, how news organizations use social media for breaking news, and how activists use social media for raising awareness about important issues. (3 minutes)

• Topic Introduction:

  • The teacher will introduce the topic of the day: "Using Technology: Social Media." They will explain that the class will be learning how to use social media for educational purposes and will also be discussing the responsible use of social media. (1 minute)

• Engaging Curiosities:

  • To grab students' attention, the teacher will share two interesting facts or stories related to social media:
    1. The teacher might share the story of how the Arab Spring protests in 2010 and 2011 were organized and spread through social media, showing the potential power and influence of these platforms.
    2. The teacher might also share a fun fact about the most popular social media platforms, such as how many users they have worldwide or how many hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute. (2 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

Activity 1: Social Media Platform Comparison

• Objective: Develop students' ability to identify and describe common features of various social media platforms, as well as compare and contrast these features.
• Materials: Worksheet with a list of popular social media platforms and their key features, markers, and colored pencils.
• Procedure:
  1. The teacher divides the students into small groups and provides each group with the materials.
  2. Each group is assigned a different social media platform and given a worksheet where they must identify and describe the platform's key features.
     • For example, they might list the platform's privacy settings, whether it allows users to share photos and videos, if it has a messaging function, etc.
  3. After completing their worksheet, each group will present their findings to the rest of the class. The rest of the class will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide their own insights.
  4. Finally, the teacher facilitates a discussion where students compare and contrast the different social media platforms. This activity will help students understand the unique aspects of each platform and how they might be used for different purposes.

Activity 2: Social Media Scavenger Hunt

• Objective: Enhance students' skills in navigating and using social media platforms, as well as critically evaluate information found on social media for accuracy and reliability.
• Materials: Worksheet with a list of tasks to complete on various social media platforms, smartphones or computers with internet access.
• Procedure:
  1. The teacher explains the rules of the game: students must complete a series of tasks on different social media platforms. The tasks may include finding a news article, sharing a post, liking a comment, following a specific account, etc.
  2. The students are divided into teams and provided with the worksheet. They must use their smartphones or computers to complete the tasks.
  3. As the students complete each task, they must document their findings on the worksheet. For example, if they find a news article, they should jot down the headline and a brief summary.
  4. When all teams have completed the scavenger hunt, the teacher leads a discussion about the findings. This is an opportunity to discuss the accuracy and reliability of the information found, as well as any potential issues with privacy or security.

Activity 3: Creating an Online Event

• Objective: Students will understand how social media can be used to organize online events and collaborate with others.
• Materials: Poster paper, markers, and a computer with internet access.
• Procedure:
  1. The teacher divides the students into small groups and provides each group with the materials.
  2. Each group is tasked with creating a mock online event on a social media platform of their choice. The event can be anything from a charity fundraiser to a virtual club meeting.
  3. Students are required to use the social media platform's features to create the event, including setting up the event, inviting participants, sharing updates, etc.
  4. Once the event is created, the groups will present their events to the rest of the class. They will explain how they used the social media platform's features and how their event could be beneficial in a real-world context.
  5. The rest of the class will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on the events. The teacher will facilitate a discussion about the benefits and challenges of using social media to organize and promote events.

Feedback (10 - 12 minutes)

• Group Discussion:

  • The teacher will ask each group to share their solutions or conclusions from the activities. Each group will have up to 3 minutes to present their findings. (5 minutes)
  • The teacher will facilitate a discussion among the students, allowing them to ask questions and provide feedback to each other. This will help reinforce the concepts learned and encourage students to think critically about social media. (3 minutes)

• Assessment of Learning:

  • The teacher will then summarize the main points of the lesson, highlighting the key features of different social media platforms, the importance of critically evaluating information found on social media, and the potential uses of social media for educational and professional purposes. (2 minutes)
  • The teacher will ask students to reflect on what they have learned and how it can be applied in real-life situations. They will be encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas with the class. (2 minutes)

• Reflection:

  • The teacher will propose that students take a moment to reflect on the lesson. They will be asked to consider the following questions:
    1. What was the most important concept you learned today?
    2. What questions do you still have about social media?
    3. How can you apply what you have learned today in your everyday life?
  • The teacher will provide a few minutes for students to think about these questions, and then ask for volunteers to share their reflections with the class. (2 minutes)

• Closure:

  • The teacher will conclude the lesson by thanking the students for their active participation and encouraging them to continue exploring the world of social media in a responsible and informed way. They will remind the students that social media, like all technology, is a tool that can be used for good or ill, and it is up to each individual to use it wisely. (1 minute)

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

• Summary and Recap:

  • The teacher will summarize the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the role of social media in society, the common features of various platforms, and the potential uses of social media for educational and professional purposes.
  • They will also recap the main activities of the lesson, such as the Social Media Platform Comparison, the Social Media Scavenger Hunt, and the Creating an Online Event.
  • The teacher will remind students of the importance of critically evaluating information found on social media for accuracy and reliability, and the need for responsible use of social media, including issues of privacy, online safety, and cyberbullying. (2 minutes)

• Connection of Theory and Practice:

  • The teacher will explain how the lesson connected theory and practice. They will highlight how the activities allowed students to apply their theoretical understanding of social media in practical, hands-on ways.
  • For example, in the Social Media Platform Comparison, students had to use their knowledge of different platforms' features to complete the task. In the Social Media Scavenger Hunt, students had to navigate and use social media platforms, putting their digital literacy skills into practice. And in Creating an Online Event, students had to apply their understanding of social media's features and potential uses to a real-world scenario.
  • The teacher will emphasize that this kind of experiential learning is a powerful way to deepen students' understanding of a subject and prepare them for real-life situations. (2 minutes)

• Additional Materials:

  • The teacher will suggest some additional resources for students who are interested in learning more about social media. These might include:
    1. TED Talks on the power and influence of social media
    2. Articles on the responsible use of social media and digital citizenship
    3. Books on the history and impact of social media
    4. Websites that offer tips and guides for using social media for educational and professional purposes.
  • They will also encourage students to follow reputable educational and news organizations on social media to stay informed about current events and trends. (1 minute)

• Relevance to Everyday Life:

  • Finally, the teacher will discuss the relevance of the lesson to students' everyday life. They will explain that social media is not just a tool for personal use or entertainment, but also a powerful tool for business and education.
  • They will highlight how the skills and knowledge gained from this lesson can help students in a variety of real-life situations, from researching a school project, to promoting a business or event, to staying informed about current events.
  • The teacher will stress the importance of using social media in a responsible and informed way, and remind students that they have the power to shape their online world for the better. (1 minute)