Language Arts · Grade 10

Active learning ideas

Social Media and Identity

Active learning works well for this topic because students need to see and feel the gap between curated online personas and real-life identities. Moving through real platform examples and role-playing helps them recognize how identity is shaped by choices, not just algorithms.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1.C

• 35–50 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Gallery Walk
• 45 min · Small Groups

Gallery Walk: Platform Personas

Students create posters depicting self-presentation on two platforms, noting curation choices. Place posters around the room. Groups rotate, jotting comparisons on sticky notes, then share class insights.

Analyze how social media platforms influence the construction of personal identity.

Facilitation Tip

During Gallery Walk: Platform Personas, arrange printouts of sample profiles in chronological order so students notice how editing tools like filters and captions change over time.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Choose two social media platforms you use regularly. How does the way you present yourself differ between these platforms, and what specific features encourage these differences?' Facilitate a small group discussion, asking students to provide concrete examples from their own or observed profiles.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Activity 02

• World Café
• 50 min · Whole Class

Fishbowl Debate: Identity Impacts

Half the class debates positive versus negative effects of social media on self-esteem inside the fishbowl. Outer circle notes evidence and prepares questions. Switch roles midway for full participation.

Compare the presentation of self on different social media platforms.

Facilitation Tip

In Fishbowl Debate: Identity Impacts, assign roles like 'platform advocate' or 'real self defender' to push students beyond first reactions and into evidence-based arguments.

What to look for

Provide students with a short case study describing a fictional teenager's experience with social media. Ask them to identify one instance of algorithmic curation influencing the teen's perception of self and one example of social comparison impacting their self-esteem. Students write their answers on a slip of paper.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 03

• World Café
• 35 min · Pairs

Profile Audit Pairs

In pairs, students anonymize and analyze sample profiles from different platforms. Identify identity-shaping elements like filters or captions. Pairs present findings to class for collective evaluation.

Evaluate the impact of online interactions on real-world relationships and self-esteem.

Facilitation Tip

For Profile Audit Pairs, give students a checklist of specific techniques like hashtag choices or bio phrasing to track while they analyze each other’s profiles.

What to look for

Students anonymously share a brief reflection on how they curate their online presence. In pairs, students read their partner's reflection and provide one piece of constructive feedback, focusing on whether the reflection demonstrates an awareness of platform influence or potential impact on self-esteem. They must use specific vocabulary terms in their feedback.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 04

• World Café
• 40 min · Small Groups

Role-Play Scenarios

Groups act out online interactions influencing identity, such as receiving criticism or praise. Debrief on real-world ripple effects. Record and review for self-reflection.

Analyze how social media platforms influence the construction of personal identity.

Facilitation Tip

During Role-Play Scenarios, provide conflict cards that name the platform and the issue, not the emotion, so students practice identifying triggers before reacting.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Choose two social media platforms you use regularly. How does the way you present yourself differ between these platforms, and what specific features encourage these differences?' Facilitate a small group discussion, asking students to provide concrete examples from their own or observed profiles.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers approach this topic by starting with students’ own experiences to build relevance, then introducing research on algorithmic bias and self-presentation theory. Avoid lecturing about negative effects; instead, let students discover them through peer discussion and reflection. Research suggests that guided comparisons between platforms help students recognize how features like infinite scroll or likes shape identity in different ways.

Successful learning looks like students explaining how platform features guide self-presentation, giving examples from their own online habits. They should also compare how feedback changes behavior across platforms and name at least one way online actions affect offline relationships.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Gallery Walk: Platform Personas, watch for students who assume a profile photo or bio reveals a person’s whole identity.

  Use the gallery walk to point out editing marks, filters, and selective highlights. Ask students to note at least two deliberate choices in each profile they review.

• During Fishbowl Debate: Identity Impacts, watch for students who claim online interactions always harm self-esteem.

  Have the debate group cite specific platform features like comment sections or follower counts as evidence for both positive and negative effects.

• During Gallery Walk: Platform Personas, watch for students who say all platforms shape identity the same way.

  Ask students to compare the same person’s posts on Instagram and TikTok, noting differences in caption length, visual style, and audience interaction prompts.

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Methods used in this brief

• Gallery Walk
• World Café