Social Media

How do social media platforms impact how we communicate and connect with others?

Introduction (10 mins):

- Ask students to share examples of social media platforms they know about or use themselves. List them on the board.

- Explain that in this lesson, they will explore the role social media plays in modern communication through inquiry-based activities.

Activity 1 - Social Media Technologies (20 mins):

- Divide students into small groups of 3-4.

- Assign each group 1-2 major social media platforms to research (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok).

- Have them find information about things like:

- When was it created? By who?

- What technologies does it use? (text, photos, videos, etc)

- Who is its primary user base?

- What are its key features that enable communication?

- Groups present a brief summary of their findings.

Activity 2 - Communication Impact (30 mins):

- As a class, brainstorm ways social media has changed how people communicate compared to before these technologies existed.

- Make a T-chart on the board with "Pros" and "Cons"

- In their groups, have students discuss both positives and negatives and add their ideas to the chart.

- Discuss the chart as a class once complete. Some potential pros/cons to cover:

- Pros: Easier to stay connected, share experiences, find communities

- Cons: Less face-to-face interaction, cyberbullying, privacy concerns

Activity 3 - Looking Ahead (15 mins):

- Have students think about: How might communication technologies continue to evolve in the future?

- Ask them to individually write down 1-2 predictions for new features or platforms.

- Allow volunteers to share their ideas with the class.

Wrap-Up (5 mins):

- Review the key topics covered in the lesson.

- Summarize that while social media enables many positives for communication, it also presents new challenges we should be aware of.

This allows students to explore social media through an inquiry-based approach, researching the technologies themselves, analyzing the impacts on communication, and looking ahead to potential future developments. The activities promote critical thinking about both the benefits and risks of these ubiquitous platforms.