If you haven't yet heard students chatter about the blog they have for homework or the major wiki project they have to finish, then you may not have long to wait. Social media is slowly gaining a dedicated following in classrooms across the United States.

Teachers looking to employ the Internet for more than just research are finding ready ways to utilize the social media tools their students are already using. The possibilities are intriguing:

• Blogs/Vlogs can be used for response questions or shared essays.
  
• Message boards/forums can host class debates and online study groups.
  
• Podcasts allow students to create their own news shows.
  
• Social bookmarking is a valuable tool for students to share research.
  
• Social networking lets students connect with other youth from around the world. How about trying an international debate?
• Video/Photo-sharing sites can be used for student-created virtual field trips.
  
• Wikis make excellent student-written study guides.

This hands-on approach to learning encourages students to make their time on the Internet a learning experience, one that provides a link from the classroom to the home, and from the present to the future. However, it can be challenging for educators to access the Internet applications they need in order to incorporate the above tools into their lessons; school districts' Internet filters often block these kinds of websites.

Extensive filtering may hinder students from discovering the educational potential inherent in social media. Students can use tools like wikis and vlogs to practice necessary skills such as writing, speaking, researching, and networking.

Check that the online tools you choose are acceptable for school-use, and work with your school's IT professionals to review filtering policies. Once accepted in the classroom, social media may start a wave of 21^st century learners using the Internet in responsible and meaningful ways.