EASTON, PA—Social media tools like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook were not on the radar of most educators just five or ten years ago. Until recently, these relatively new forms of communication were not used extensively by the First In Math Online Program either—but that is changing.
“Social media is one way our long-distance users can connect with us,” says Communications Director Deborah Schapiro. “Someone who might not take the time to send an email or make a long-distance phone call will instead send us a Tweet about what their class has accomplished in First In Math—it is really exciting!”
“We use Twitter and Facebook to communicate ideas and exchange information from other areas that may help and benefit our audience of students and teachers,” explains Schapiro. “But more importantly, it is a great way to get people talking about math.”
Suntex President and FIM creator Robert Sun agrees. “Our electronic communication is not intended to be a substitute for traditional forms of contact, but it is a very useful tool that can improve the way we interact with our partners. Twitter is an especially interesting communications tool,” says Sun. “It allows me to monitor what teachers and other educators—around the globe—are thinking and doing, in real-time.”
In addition to social media channels that offer a ‘short-form’ approach, Sun has allowed his perspectives on education to be published in leading media outlets, such as The Huffington Post, National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics Newsletter, eSchool News and The London Economic.
Follow Sun’s Huffington Post articles
Follow Robert Sun on Twitter at @RobertSun24
Follow First In Math on Twitter at @FirstInMath