EDU6215- Student Engagement with Media

Using Social Media to Reinforce Environmental Learning And Action-Taking for School Students

Warner, Alan. Eames, Chris. Irving, Robyn. 2014. "Using Social Media to Reinforce Environmental Learning And Action-Taking for School Students." International Electronic Journal of Environmental Education. Vol. 4, Issue 2: 83-96.


This article focuses on using experiences outside of the classroom, particularly field trips, and using social media to reinforce the experiences through blogs.

To start off, the article talks about how experiences outside in the classroom and in their own community can provide a better connection to learning. Even though these experiences are very helpful for learning, it will not be effective unless the teacher will do follow-up activities. In the same way, if students are to participate in activities that help the environment, it does not automatically mean that they will have a strong urge to further help the environment. "The aim is for students to take action as a means to develop action competence, not simply to take action for action’s sake" (84). It was found that students would take further actions if the teacher provided a high level of follow-up.

One of the ways this could happen is using blogs. Most students are familiar with social media like Facebook and Twitter. Sites like this can spark interest for social issues for students. Blogs are another way to share out with classmates, teachers, and the community. This is of course only if the teacher is comfortable with technology. blogs, etc.

A study was done with these kinds of experiences with primary grades in New Zealand and blogs were used as social media. The purpose was to find factors in the trips influenced learning and to what extent can social media be used for transfer of learning. This was done through observation, teacher interviews, student groups, and student work.

One class was a group of 15 five year olds. They used a blog in for their experiences, which they have already been using in the classroom. The students loved the blog even if they could not always articulate details. The next class was seven and eight year olds. They did many activities prior to their experiences, like videos. The teacher also had blogs throughout the year as well. The kids loved it and said they felt like scientists.

Overall if teachers have social media and technology integrated into their classrooms, they can be strong tools to help with learning experiences in the community.