We're back!
Sorry for the absence over the past few days - it was a busy week for me! But, I'm back with more articles, ideas, and tips for personal finance education and social media use in the classroom!
I read an article today, albeit a few months old, regarding states pushing to teach personal finance in schools (Link: http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2011/08/26/states-push-to-teach-personal-finance-in-schools). This is a very important topic to me!
As educators, it is one of our many duties to work with legislators and lobby for our content areas to ensure students are provided with an education that is both meaningful and relevant to preparing them for the real world.
The article noted that only four states have a required course in personal finance as a required course for graduation. Four states?!?!?! Yes, twenty other states do require personal finance instruction in other content areas like mathematics or family consumer sciences. However, business educators are most prepared to teach personal finance. Allowing students to receive education in a subject where the teachers are not as well prepared is like having an auto mechanic decorate a wedding cake for a bakery client.
I am asking that every business educator do his or her part by working with local, state, regional, and national organizations to ensure personal finance becomes a required course for graduation and is taught by highly-qualified business educators who can best teach students in this critical-knowledge subject.
Give me your thoughts and feedback on this issue! I want to hear what you have to say and also want to hear what you have done to make this happen in your state.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Great ideas - 25 Way to Use iPads in the Classroom!
Thanks, Steven W. Anderson (@web20classroom) for sharing this great graphic!
This graphic was part of an article published on Edudemic.com (http://www.edudemic.com). Edudemic.com is a great resource for ideas on how to bring technology into the classroom, including some great ways to bring social media into the classroom.
This is a slight departure from my traditional social media topics; however, I just thought is was an awesome idea that business teachers could find very valuable.
Enjoy your Sunday and see how you might use this information tomorrow!
Thanks, Steven W. Anderson (@web20classroom) for sharing this great graphic!
This graphic was part of an article published on Edudemic.com (http://www.edudemic.com). Edudemic.com is a great resource for ideas on how to bring technology into the classroom, including some great ways to bring social media into the classroom.
This is a slight departure from my traditional social media topics; however, I just thought is was an awesome idea that business teachers could find very valuable.
Enjoy your Sunday and see how you might use this information tomorrow!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Great idea to bring in a little extra cash this spring!
Yours truly was checking out the latest personal finance tips on the social media outlets this morning and ran across a great idea for bringing in a little extra cash this spring--spring cleaning! One of the companies I follow on Twitter, Investopedia, published a short article yesterday on this very subject (Link: http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0412/Time-For-A-Spring-Clean.aspx#axzz1sgNZIMDq). Here is a short summary of the suggestions offered.
1. Get rid of those outdated or unwanted technology devices - old mobile phones, computers, gaming systems, etc... You'll be surprised what you can get for these items. Depending on the item, selling on eBay may be an option or even going into a retailer and "trading in" on a new device is likely to garner you a nice little chunk of change for saving.
2. Clean out the closet - sell those old bell bottoms from the 70's (well probably not!) and get rid of those gently used clothing items that are still in fashion but you just don't (or maybe never did) wear anymore. Again, there are several different options, such as consignment shops, thrift stores, and even online outlets where you can clear some space and bring home some cash.
3. With the dawn of e-readers and iPads and such, clear out your stash of old books, CDs, DVDs, and the like. You are still likely to get a good price on them and you'll make Mother Nature happy in the process!
All in all, this is a great personal finance strategy to employ yourself as well as share with your students in the classroom. Whether teens or young adults, I'm sure your students have a few extra things lying around that they could part with in exchange for a little extra money. And we all know our students can always use some extra cash. Furthermore, you'll be teaching them a valuable lesson in personal finance (just make sure you also teach the value of savings as part of the lesson--don't want them to spend every penny right away!).
This is a great kick-off into spring and something we all could learn a little from, for sure!
Yours truly was checking out the latest personal finance tips on the social media outlets this morning and ran across a great idea for bringing in a little extra cash this spring--spring cleaning! One of the companies I follow on Twitter, Investopedia, published a short article yesterday on this very subject (Link: http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0412/Time-For-A-Spring-Clean.aspx#axzz1sgNZIMDq). Here is a short summary of the suggestions offered.
1. Get rid of those outdated or unwanted technology devices - old mobile phones, computers, gaming systems, etc... You'll be surprised what you can get for these items. Depending on the item, selling on eBay may be an option or even going into a retailer and "trading in" on a new device is likely to garner you a nice little chunk of change for saving.
2. Clean out the closet - sell those old bell bottoms from the 70's (well probably not!) and get rid of those gently used clothing items that are still in fashion but you just don't (or maybe never did) wear anymore. Again, there are several different options, such as consignment shops, thrift stores, and even online outlets where you can clear some space and bring home some cash.
3. With the dawn of e-readers and iPads and such, clear out your stash of old books, CDs, DVDs, and the like. You are still likely to get a good price on them and you'll make Mother Nature happy in the process!
All in all, this is a great personal finance strategy to employ yourself as well as share with your students in the classroom. Whether teens or young adults, I'm sure your students have a few extra things lying around that they could part with in exchange for a little extra money. And we all know our students can always use some extra cash. Furthermore, you'll be teaching them a valuable lesson in personal finance (just make sure you also teach the value of savings as part of the lesson--don't want them to spend every penny right away!).
This is a great kick-off into spring and something we all could learn a little from, for sure!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
More on social media use in the classroom...
I read an interesting article today published on USAToday.com regarding teacher attitudes regarding social media use in the classroom (Link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2012-03-04/facebook-twitter-social-media-classroom/53358382/1) and it got me thinking even more on the growing debate on the issue.
Why is it so important to teach young people about responsible use of social media? One of the contributors to the article discussed how she uses Twitter in her journalism class as a virtual notebook of thoughts and ideas on her lecture--she encourages her students to tweet their thoughts during the class. What a great way to track students' contributions! On the other hand, how does one effectively use this platform, but also ensure responsibility on the part of the students (i.e., that they are not being distracted from the classroom activities by engaging in non-productive activities not related to the learning at hand)?
So, have you found productive ways in which to engage your students in a social media platform while ensuring responsible use of the technology that is appropriate to the classroom activities and does not distract the students from required learning? Please share your thoughts as a comment to this post--I'm interested to hear what others have to say on this topic.
Very interesting concept, to say the least!
I read an interesting article today published on USAToday.com regarding teacher attitudes regarding social media use in the classroom (Link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2012-03-04/facebook-twitter-social-media-classroom/53358382/1) and it got me thinking even more on the growing debate on the issue.
Why is it so important to teach young people about responsible use of social media? One of the contributors to the article discussed how she uses Twitter in her journalism class as a virtual notebook of thoughts and ideas on her lecture--she encourages her students to tweet their thoughts during the class. What a great way to track students' contributions! On the other hand, how does one effectively use this platform, but also ensure responsibility on the part of the students (i.e., that they are not being distracted from the classroom activities by engaging in non-productive activities not related to the learning at hand)?
So, have you found productive ways in which to engage your students in a social media platform while ensuring responsible use of the technology that is appropriate to the classroom activities and does not distract the students from required learning? Please share your thoughts as a comment to this post--I'm interested to hear what others have to say on this topic.
Very interesting concept, to say the least!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Social media use in higher education - positive or negative?
As a higher education professional in business education and business technology, the initial thought of using social media as a resource in the classroom scared me a little, considering some of the potential risks involved. However, there are some interesting facts about social media use in higher education that may just change the way in which we teach in the future:
1. Colleges and universities are increasingly using social media as a vehicle to help potential students learn more about their institution and also to help make decisions about which program or school of study in which to enroll. According to Justin Marquis, Ph.D., "College admissions offices are creating groups on the social networking sites to make their prospective students feel more like they are part of the community long before they arrive on campus." (Source: http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2011/09/using-social-media-in-the-higher-education-classroom/)
2. Colleges and universities are also using social media to help organize on-campus activities as well as alumni connections and functions.
3. Dr. Marquis further noted that social media likely has the most potential positive outcomes when applied to learning in the classroom. College professors are increasingly using social media as an added technology tool in the classroom for communication and networking as well as enhancing instruction in other content areas.
Based on some of these bits of information, I truly believe that we have yet to harness the true power of social media from an educational perspective. As professionals, we must be proficient in the social media world and develop ourselves professionally in a manner that allows us to stand on the forefront of what I believe will become a major factor in education in the future.
So, what can you do?
1. Get out there and immerse yourself in social media! With that being said, don't just limit yourself to Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Start a blog, explore the world of Wikis, or even explore some of the lesser known social media sites (and there are hundreds of them out there to explore).
2. Take advantage of professional development opportunities that allow you to expand your understanding of social media and provide you with examples of how to effectively integrate social media into your classroom. The National Business Education Association (http://www.nbea.org) and its regional and state affiliate organizations offer some excellent opportunities for learning. Also, several of the individual social media outlets offer their own professional development and learning activities that are equally valuable.
3. Begin to identify ways in which you can integrate, bit by bit, various social media activities into your classroom. Social media can be used in virtually any course as a communication and networking source. Plus, you can also integrate content-specific activities (such as business communications or marketing) using social media outlets. Doing so not only shows that you are "cool", but also gives real world experience to students in what they can expect in the business world later in life.
Now, let's get out there and help our students become social media experts!
As a higher education professional in business education and business technology, the initial thought of using social media as a resource in the classroom scared me a little, considering some of the potential risks involved. However, there are some interesting facts about social media use in higher education that may just change the way in which we teach in the future:
1. Colleges and universities are increasingly using social media as a vehicle to help potential students learn more about their institution and also to help make decisions about which program or school of study in which to enroll. According to Justin Marquis, Ph.D., "College admissions offices are creating groups on the social networking sites to make their prospective students feel more like they are part of the community long before they arrive on campus." (Source: http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2011/09/using-social-media-in-the-higher-education-classroom/)
2. Colleges and universities are also using social media to help organize on-campus activities as well as alumni connections and functions.
3. Dr. Marquis further noted that social media likely has the most potential positive outcomes when applied to learning in the classroom. College professors are increasingly using social media as an added technology tool in the classroom for communication and networking as well as enhancing instruction in other content areas.
Based on some of these bits of information, I truly believe that we have yet to harness the true power of social media from an educational perspective. As professionals, we must be proficient in the social media world and develop ourselves professionally in a manner that allows us to stand on the forefront of what I believe will become a major factor in education in the future.
So, what can you do?
1. Get out there and immerse yourself in social media! With that being said, don't just limit yourself to Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Start a blog, explore the world of Wikis, or even explore some of the lesser known social media sites (and there are hundreds of them out there to explore).
2. Take advantage of professional development opportunities that allow you to expand your understanding of social media and provide you with examples of how to effectively integrate social media into your classroom. The National Business Education Association (http://www.nbea.org) and its regional and state affiliate organizations offer some excellent opportunities for learning. Also, several of the individual social media outlets offer their own professional development and learning activities that are equally valuable.
3. Begin to identify ways in which you can integrate, bit by bit, various social media activities into your classroom. Social media can be used in virtually any course as a communication and networking source. Plus, you can also integrate content-specific activities (such as business communications or marketing) using social media outlets. Doing so not only shows that you are "cool", but also gives real world experience to students in what they can expect in the business world later in life.
Now, let's get out there and help our students become social media experts!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Wow! A week into this blogging effort already...
Well, I'm enjoying this opportunity to share with all of you my favorite tips, tricks, tools, and ideas for personal finance education and the use of social media in the classroom.
I thought today I'd take a few moments to share some insight into why I feel these topics are so important in education today:
1. Facebook had 845 million monthly active users at the end of December 2011 (Source: http://newsroom.fb.com/content/default.aspx?NewsAreaId=22)
2. On average, users on Twitter send approximately 1 billion (yes, billion with a "b") tweets per week! (Source: http://blog.kissmetrics.com/twitter-statistics/)
3. In 2010, a survey conducted by Visa revealed that 93% of Americans believed that all high school students should be required to take a class in financial education. However, at the time of that same survey, there were only 4 states that required high school students to take a semester-long course in personal finance. (Source: http://www.jumpstart.org/assets/State-Sites/LA/files/downloads/Making_the_Case_2011.pdf)
With the use of social media as a networking tool and a way in which many companies are reaching their target audiences, it is imperative that business educators find ways in which to embrace this technology and show their students how to effectively use social media both on a personal and professional level. Remember, we are not teaching social media use. Rather, we are instructing on how it can best be used in marketing oneself or one's product or service.
Likewise, we must embrace personal finance education and lobby our political representatives to help them understand the urgent need for this education and to demonstrate the current, and frankly very sad, situation our young people (both high school students, college students, and young adults) are in as they embark on adulthood and are forced to begin making financial decisions for which they often are unprepared.
Let's band together as a profession and ensure we do our part to develop tomorrow's generation in a responsible and meaningful matter that protects our economy, our country, and the opportunities for future generations. If, as educators, we do not accept this charge, then who??? Let's face it--the need for personal finance education and the need for education in responsible use of social media are not going anywhere anytime soon!
I hope this post inspires some meaningful thought and sparks your inner desire to become a leader in these educational imperatives!
Well, I'm enjoying this opportunity to share with all of you my favorite tips, tricks, tools, and ideas for personal finance education and the use of social media in the classroom.
I thought today I'd take a few moments to share some insight into why I feel these topics are so important in education today:
1. Facebook had 845 million monthly active users at the end of December 2011 (Source: http://newsroom.fb.com/content/default.aspx?NewsAreaId=22)
2. On average, users on Twitter send approximately 1 billion (yes, billion with a "b") tweets per week! (Source: http://blog.kissmetrics.com/twitter-statistics/)
3. In 2010, a survey conducted by Visa revealed that 93% of Americans believed that all high school students should be required to take a class in financial education. However, at the time of that same survey, there were only 4 states that required high school students to take a semester-long course in personal finance. (Source: http://www.jumpstart.org/assets/State-Sites/LA/files/downloads/Making_the_Case_2011.pdf)
With the use of social media as a networking tool and a way in which many companies are reaching their target audiences, it is imperative that business educators find ways in which to embrace this technology and show their students how to effectively use social media both on a personal and professional level. Remember, we are not teaching social media use. Rather, we are instructing on how it can best be used in marketing oneself or one's product or service.
Likewise, we must embrace personal finance education and lobby our political representatives to help them understand the urgent need for this education and to demonstrate the current, and frankly very sad, situation our young people (both high school students, college students, and young adults) are in as they embark on adulthood and are forced to begin making financial decisions for which they often are unprepared.
Let's band together as a profession and ensure we do our part to develop tomorrow's generation in a responsible and meaningful matter that protects our economy, our country, and the opportunities for future generations. If, as educators, we do not accept this charge, then who??? Let's face it--the need for personal finance education and the need for education in responsible use of social media are not going anywhere anytime soon!
I hope this post inspires some meaningful thought and sparks your inner desire to become a leader in these educational imperatives!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Today I'm sharing one of my favorite financial literacy resources - Practical Money Skills for Life (by Visa).
Practical Money Skills for Life
I have used a number of the resources from this site and have never been disappointed. There are videos, lesson plans, and numerous educator resources. The other thing I really love about this resource is the fact that there are elementary, secondary, and post-secondary resources. I am a firm believer that financial literacy education is a lifelong learning experience. As such, resources need to be available that are pertinent to all stages of life.
Check out this site today and see how you can integrate some of the resources into your classroom. Afterwards, be sure to share your thoughts and experiences and how you used Practical Money Skills for Life to enhance your teaching of personal finance!
Practical Money Skills for Life
I have used a number of the resources from this site and have never been disappointed. There are videos, lesson plans, and numerous educator resources. The other thing I really love about this resource is the fact that there are elementary, secondary, and post-secondary resources. I am a firm believer that financial literacy education is a lifelong learning experience. As such, resources need to be available that are pertinent to all stages of life.
Check out this site today and see how you can integrate some of the resources into your classroom. Afterwards, be sure to share your thoughts and experiences and how you used Practical Money Skills for Life to enhance your teaching of personal finance!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Thursday Question of the Day - 04/11/2012:
What is your favorite social media tool for engaging your students in the context of social media within the course subject you teach (i.e., business communication, international business, personal finance, accounting, etc...)?
Share your answer today and take an opportunity to pick a new idea from other colleagues in business education.
I look forward to your responses!
What is your favorite social media tool for engaging your students in the context of social media within the course subject you teach (i.e., business communication, international business, personal finance, accounting, etc...)?
Share your answer today and take an opportunity to pick a new idea from other colleagues in business education.
I look forward to your responses!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Have you ever asked yourself the question, "What prevents the use of social media in the classroom?" This is a very interesting question and one that many educators struggle to answer because of acceptable use policies or concern of the risk involved. The following YouTube video gives some excellent considerations in attempting to answer this question:
What prevents the use of social media in the classroom?
As the individual in this video presents, as educators, we have to take into consideration that we are not per se teaching students to use social media, but rather to use it as a tool as part of their daily life to extend the productivity and efficiency of daily personal and professional interactions.
Great food for thought!
What prevents the use of social media in the classroom?
As the individual in this video presents, as educators, we have to take into consideration that we are not per se teaching students to use social media, but rather to use it as a tool as part of their daily life to extend the productivity and efficiency of daily personal and professional interactions.
Great food for thought!
Monday, April 9, 2012
So, what's everyone's take on the use of social media in the classroom? Here's an interesting article on the pros and cons of social media use in the classroom:
Pros and Cons of Social Media Use in the Classroom
This article brings up some very unique points of view on the subject. I have some mixed thoughts on some points made therein.
1) The article notes social media use in the classroom as a distraction; however, as professional educators, we must find ways in which to embrace this technology and use it to the fullest extent while mitigating sources of distraction to students--it's here to stay and not going anywhere anytime soon.
2) Furthermore, the article notes that social media use in the classroom discourages face-to-face communication, yet we should not be looking at this as an issue. Again, as educators, it is our responsibility to instruct in such a fashion as to strike that appropriate balance where social media use adds to the learning experience rather than detracts from it.
I am interested to hear your thoughts on the issue and what experiences you have had or what challenges you have faced with social media use in the classroom.
Pros and Cons of Social Media Use in the Classroom
This article brings up some very unique points of view on the subject. I have some mixed thoughts on some points made therein.
1) The article notes social media use in the classroom as a distraction; however, as professional educators, we must find ways in which to embrace this technology and use it to the fullest extent while mitigating sources of distraction to students--it's here to stay and not going anywhere anytime soon.
2) Furthermore, the article notes that social media use in the classroom discourages face-to-face communication, yet we should not be looking at this as an issue. Again, as educators, it is our responsibility to instruct in such a fashion as to strike that appropriate balance where social media use adds to the learning experience rather than detracts from it.
I am interested to hear your thoughts on the issue and what experiences you have had or what challenges you have faced with social media use in the classroom.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Visit the National Financial Educators Council to check out some great free resources for financial literacy education! The Council offers financial literacy curriculum for high school and college programs, financial educator training, child-friendly materials for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade, adult financial literacy materials, and much more.
Be certain to add this resource to your personal finance education toolbox today!
National Financial Educators Council
Be certain to add this resource to your personal finance education toolbox today!
National Financial Educators Council
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Welcome to my blog - Personal Finance and Social Media in Education! I look forward to sharing ideas, thoughts, research, and much more with you regarding personal finance education and the use of social media in the classroom. These are important concepts to business educators today! Feel free to participate in the ongoing discussions and also share your comments. This is a learning community and I am excited to get things going!
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