importance of social media in education essay

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Impact of Social Media in Education

Introduction.

The 21st century brought the advent of social media which has drastically changed people’s lives. Social media is software, networking instruments, and Internet platforms that are used for a variety of uses such as content sharing and creation, communication, and collaboration. According to Fuchs (2017), social media are internet-based applications that are developed on the technological capabilities of creation and sharing of user-generated content, going beyond interpersonal communication with the aid of universally accessible and scalable interconnection techniques.

By the current year of 2020, the concept is significantly widespread due and virtually everyone in developed countries with access to smartphones and computers utilizing one of the major social media platforms. These have grown on the basis of popularity in younger populations in particular, with children as young as 13 years old able to create social media accounts. Naturally, social media tools became utilized in educational environments in order to facilitate teaching and learning processes due to their engagement and popularity amongst high-school and college-aged students. Social media has positively impacted education by enabling learning, sharing, and collaboration, but continues to maintain concerns from a large body of students, parents, and educators as being distracting and ineffective in the instructional process.

Upon researching the general concept of social media, it became evident that the primary user base remains in the teenage and young adult category, which utilizes the largest array of platforms (Perrin & Anderson 2019). The origins of social media platforms, particularly the universally popular Facebook stem from college students which poses a critical question of the impact of social media on education. This research question although rather broad is specific enough to explore the context. A search of the literature on the UNISA library catalog and Google Scholar found an overwhelming amount of literature, including original research, synthesis, and theory that explores the various impacts of social media in education.

In particular, I wanted to focus on two concepts: 1) the effectiveness of social media tools for educational purposes; 2) the perception of social media use by students and instructors. Despite narrowing down the topic with these keywords, this research has grown to be so influential in recent years that both searches drew tens of thousands of results, even with limiting the search year of past 2016. The literature was selected based on the relevance of headlines and research direction in the abstract as well as the reliability and prestige of the journal. Some articles had internal citations to books or other articles which fit the search criteria, these were explored as well. Overall, approximately 25 literature sources were selected and narrowed down as the report was written based on their usability for the general topic.

Indicators of quality

All literature used in this report was published originally post-2015. The information has not been updated as the majority of these are journal publications. The context of the data may have changed slightly due to the online learning element during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sources are targeted at an audience who are interested in or active participating stakeholders in the educational sector. The information extensively covers all potential points of interest regarding the topic allowing for a comprehensive overview of the impact of social media on education.

The research selected was conducted by respectable authors and published in key journals in the industry. The articles are cited numerous times in other literature.

All sources come from peer-reviewed journals or publications which significantly increases their accuracy and validity. The sources were checked for reputation and any questionable sources were not utilized

The purpose of the existence of this research is the soaring popularity of social media platform use, adapting it to educational contexts. The controversial nature of social media as both a tool and a distraction has prompted researchers and stakeholders to consider whether it is warranted for further support and integration.

The widespread popularity and adoption of social media have led to calls of leveraging and integrating it in education through various means. Social media holds a unique opportunity for innovating educational research and scholarly communication as well. Integrating social media has multiple uses in the education sector. Students’ learning can be enhanced through active engagement and digital collaboration on a new level. Both teachers and students can also engage in informal learning which includes exchanging resources and community-building activities (Greenhow et al 2019). Social media has a place in the modern educational paradigm with the potential of bridging and informal learning through participatory digital cultures. Social media becomes inherently a space for learning, which when applied through the lens of social constructivism and connectivism can facilitate the powerful features of instant connectivity and engagement in multimodal learning contexts (Greenhow & Lewin 2015).

A study by Price et al (2018) sought to investigate student perceptions on social media integration within course content. The general perception is positive, with social media use for education growing when officially integrated into the program and learning activities. Students found it to be engaging and informative in identifying important elements within the course. However, a part of the sample remains wary of using social media for professional or educational purposes, indicating that individual factors are critical to consider as well. Orlanda-Ventayen and Magno-Ventayen (2017) found that the instructor’s perspective contributes to social learning and is on par with worlds trends. However, there are disadvantages and individual preferences which suggest that social media should be combined with other free learning management systems.

A number of studies found that platforms have no practical use in instructional and learning contexts. Lahti et al (2017) surveyed students to determine the uses of social media in educational contexts and found that the majority of students do not report utilizing the platforms for studying or academic needs. Manca & Ranieri (2016) similarly found that social media utilization is consistently limited or restricted, with neither teachers nor students readily willing to integrate the social media components into educational practices. Common opposition to social media use in education cites pedagogical challenges, institutional constraints, and the general inappropriateness for the learning context. Most often, students utilize social networks for engagement in non-educational activities such as social communication and entertainment rather than learning or skill enhancement (Talaue et al. 2018). Social media use during class creates opportunities for distraction from the learning process with a negative effect to complete tasks and improving academic performance (Flanigan & Boychuk 2015).

Students also perceive social media as a distraction in many contexts. The social media platforms such as Facebook, create opportunities to shift focus via chatting, uploading photos, and other social activities. McCarthy and McCarthy (2014) conducted a study analyzing the distraction factor of working on Facebook. Students found social media to be largely unhelpful and distracting in the studying process, actually taking more effort to concentrate. Other students in a study by Wise et al (2011) concluded that the negative impact on attention was significant while also being a threat to privacy. In the contexts of blended learning in which social media is commonly utilized, findings by Erdem and Kibar (2014) indicate that platforms such as Facebook may be appropriate for communication and interactive aspects, but not useful in sharing homework or projects or promoting academic achievement.

When considering the impact of social media on education, there are three primary questions that become relevant.

Does social media have a role and fit into the modern educational paradigm?

According to Greenhow et al (2019) social media serves as a bridge between formal and informal learning. It presents vital opportunities for active learning, engagement, collaboration, and community connection enhancement. In the modern paradigm, social media creates a digital space that can thrive and envelop the complexities of multimodal or digital setting learning. However, scholars suggest that students inherently adopt the role of consumers rather than full participants (Greenhow & Lewin 2015).

Does social media present a benefit to students and instructors who utilize it for education?

Social media generally benefits students greatly in the development of their learning, thinking, and social skills. There are other benefits such as ease of sharing and dispersing information. Social networking tools are vital to connecting learning groups and improving learning methods. Social and academic integration sees greater success among students with social media utilization (Price et al 2018).

What are the perceptions from stakeholders regarding social media use in education?

There are varying and mixed perspectives from students and instructors regarding the integration of social media use in education. Some see it as a modern method of supplemental learning and highly enjoy the connectivity, especially if social media tools are officially integrated into a course (Orlanda-Ventayen & Magno-Ventayen 2017). However, there are a number of negative perceptions, viewing social media as a cause for distraction in the learning context due to other non-education social features. A significant portion dislikes the concept due to personal preferences or aspects such as limited availability, tools, and forced implementation which does not enhance the learning process in any significant manner (Flanigan & Boychuk 2015; Manca & Ranieri 2016; Lahti et al 2017).

It is evident that social media use in education maintains a controversial nature. However, with widespread adoption, it has garnered positive responses due to the general engagement of students with technology systems and the various interactive features such as customization and sharing of content. It also maintains the added benefit of teaching students safe and responsible use of information technology. Networking is the essential foundation to professional lives, and many views the positive reinforcements and use of it in education can be relevant to the 21st-century education paradigm.

Recommendations

Based on the research it is evident that social media has permeated the educational sector. However, the mixed results indicate that it is not a universally beneficial tool. There are listed benefits of information sharing, direct access to communication, and general support, which should be promoted (Greenhow & Lewin 2015; Greenhow et al 2019). However, there is a range of negative effects of social media in education including distraction, poor integration, and negative effects on academic performance (Flanigan & Boychuk 2015; Manca & Ranieri 2016; Lahti et al 2017; Talaue et al 2018).

Based on this research, the following recommendations are made:

• Social media should not be outright rejected by educational institutions but promoted as a supplemental tool to enhance the learning process for those who may benefit from it.
• Social media should NOT be commonly utilized during direct instructional and classroom time due to the possibilities of distraction.
• Social media SHOULD be integrated as a method of communication and empowerment for students, teachers, parents, and school communication. The technical possibilities of social media platforms can be an effective manner of building an online community for the institution.
• Social media is a highly viable tool for communication and exchange of information alongside traditional methods. This is particularly viable to reach students or share urgent information that may not be viewed via traditional communication such as email.

Social media has become a dominant force in society, permeating the lives of young people especially. There has been a significant inquiry into the impact of social media in education and its general place in the learning context. Results found that social media is able to be integrated into the educational paradigm as a bridge between formal and informal learning. The critical piece of information uncovered indicates that social media has been greatly integrated into a variety of educational contexts with positive results, but there are some mixed perceptions. The implications of the data presented in this report suggest that educators can implement pathways to the integration of social media in mixed-method modalities to the benefit of students. However, it should not be relied upon as a major or even mandatory tool, but rather as supplemental due to the potential for distraction and negative perceptions/individual preferences of students who may not benefit from it.

Erdem, M & Kibar, PN 2014, ‘ Students’ opinions on Facebook supported blended learning environment ’, The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology , vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 199-206. Web.

Fuchs, C 2017, Social media: a critical introduction: 2nd edition , Sage, London.

Flanigan, AE & Babchuk, WA 2015, ‘Social media as academic quicksand: A phenomenological study of student experiences in and out of the classroom’, Learning and Individual Differences , vol. 44, pp. 40–45.

Greenhow, C & Lewin C 2015, ‘Social media and education: reconceptualizing the boundaries of formal and informal learning’, Learning Media and Technology , pp. 1–25.

Greenhow, C, Galvin, SM & Willet, KBS 2019, ‘what should be the role of social media in education?’, Policy Insights from Behavioral and Brain Sciences , vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 178-185.

Lahti, M, Haapaniemi-Kahala, H & Salminen, L 2017, ‘Use of social media by nurse educator students: an exploratory survey’, The Open Nursing Journal , vol. 11, pp. 26-33.

Manca, S & Ranieri M 2016, ‘Facebook and the others. Potentials and obstacles of social media for teaching in higher education’, Computers and Education , vol. 95, pp. 216–230.

McCarthy, R & McCarthy M 2014, ‘Student perception of social media as a course tool’, Information Systems Education Journal , vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 13-26.

Orlanda-Ventayen, CC & Magno-Ventayen RJ 2017, ‘ Role of social media in education: a teachers’ perspective ’, ASEAN Journal of Open and Distance Learning , vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 1-7. Web.

Perrin, A & Anderson M 2019, Share of U.S. adults using social media, including Facebook, is mostly unchanged since 2018 , Pew Research Center, Web.

Price, AM et al 2018, ‘First year nursing students use of social media within education: Results of a survey’, Nurse Education Today , vol. 61, pp. 70–76.

Talaue, GM, AlSaad, A, AlRushaidan, N, AlHugail, A, & AlFahhad, S 2018, ‘The impact of social media on academic performance of selected college students’, International Journal of Advanced Information Technology (IJAIT) , vol. 8, no. 4/5, pp. 27-35. Web.

Wise, L, Skues, J & Williams, B 2011, Facebook in higher education promotes social but not academic engagement . , Ascilite. Web.

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Social Media: Usage And The Impact On Education

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Essay on Social Media for School Students and Children

500+ words essay on social media.

Social media is a tool that is becoming quite popular these days because of its user-friendly features. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more are giving people a chance to connect with each other across distances. In other words, the whole world is at our fingertips all thanks to social media. The youth is especially one of the most dominant users of social media. All this makes you wonder that something so powerful and with such a massive reach cannot be all good. Like how there are always two sides to a coin, the same goes for social media. Subsequently, different people have different opinions on this debatable topic. So, in this essay on Social Media, we will see the advantages and disadvantages of social media.

Advantages of Social Media

When we look at the positive aspect of social media, we find numerous advantages. The most important being a great device for education . All the information one requires is just a click away. Students can educate themselves on various topics using social media.

Moreover, live lectures are now possible because of social media. You can attend a lecture happening in America while sitting in India.

Furthermore, as more and more people are distancing themselves from newspapers, they are depending on social media for news. You are always updated on the latest happenings of the world through it. A person becomes more socially aware of the issues of the world.

In addition, it strengthens bonds with your loved ones. Distance is not a barrier anymore because of social media. For instance, you can easily communicate with your friends and relatives overseas.

Most importantly, it also provides a great platform for young budding artists to showcase their talent for free. You can get great opportunities for employment through social media too.

Another advantage definitely benefits companies who wish to promote their brands. Social media has become a hub for advertising and offers you great opportunities for connecting with the customer.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Disadvantages of Social Media

Despite having such unique advantages, social media is considered to be one of the most harmful elements of society. If the use of social media is not monitored, it can lead to grave consequences.

Thus, the sharing on social media especially by children must be monitored at all times. Next up is the addition of social media which is quite common amongst the youth.

This addiction hampers with the academic performance of a student as they waste their time on social media instead of studying. Social media also creates communal rifts. Fake news is spread with the use of it, which poisons the mind of peace-loving citizens.

In short, surely social media has both advantages and disadvantages. But, it all depends on the user at the end. The youth must particularly create a balance between their academic performances, physical activities, and social media. Excess use of anything is harmful and the same thing applies to social media. Therefore, we must strive to live a satisfying life with the right balance.

FAQs on Social Media

Q.1 Is social media beneficial? If yes, then how?

A.1 Social media is quite beneficial. Social Media offers information, news, educational material, a platform for talented youth and brands.

Q.2 What is a disadvantage of Social Media?

A.2 Social media invades your privacy. It makes you addicted and causes health problems. It also results in cyberbullying and scams as well as communal hatred.

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How Social Media is Reshaping Today’s Education System

by Lori Wade

There’s no denying that, ever since social networks and social media made way into our lives, everything is different. Beginning with the way we socialize, interact, plan for parties or even how often we go out. We won’t go into a debate regarding the ethical aspects of the way Social Media is influencing our lives. Instead, this article proposes to focus on the numerous ways in which social media is changing the way the education system works. So, stay tuned to find out what effects does social networking have on the way our children are educated both at school and outside of it.

Empowering Effects Starting from elementary school up until university graduation, social media has the role to empower parents, students and teachers to use new ways of sharing information and build a community. Statistics show that 96% of the students that have internet access are using at least one social network . What’s even more extraordinary is that, even though some of the students use the social networks for entertaining and other purposes, there are a lot of them that actually use it to promote a lot of positive and useful activities. From finding a summer internship, promoting a success story about how to win the student-loan battle or collaborate on international projects, everything is made possible.

Implementation in Schools? When it comes to social media, schools tend to adopt different positions. It’s a general consensus that they’re useful when it comes to sharing information or organizing the school tasks. And at the same time, the social networking is blamed for the lack of attention in students during classes.

But an increasing trend of adopting social media in school is starting to show. And since students already devote a lot of time for social media and connecting with others outside school hours, why not do it during school as well?

It’s a matter of practicability, really, because it makes perfect sense to use the online universe to communicate with your students since they’re already there most of the time. There’s no need for another case study about the usage of social media in schools. You simply need to walk through the hallways of any school or colleague to see kids of all ages totally immersed in their smartphones. Browsing their news feed, sharing photos on Instagram of sending Snapchat messages has become a part of their daily routine.

How Can Teachers Penetrate the Online World? Moodle and Blackboard are just two examples of learning management system that involves online learning for more than 10 years now. Slowly but steady, such systems will lead to the actual implementation of social media within classrooms. And the best tool available for teachers is social media itself. Only by being open-minded and using the technology themselves will they be able to really reach out to students.

“ The best teachers I’ve ever had have used technology to enhance the learning process, including Facebook pages and events for upcoming projects” – Katie Benmar, Freshman

  As the above statement emphasizes, students also react very positively when a teacher is willing to use their methods and adapt them as part of the educational process. And it makes perfect sense since a homework has a certain strictness about it, but an online chat discussing a certain book gives students the ability to open up and share their opinions.

Daring Teachers Of course, the examples of teachers already implementing social media in classes are far numerous that we can know of, however, there are a few that did such a great job that their students almost made them viral. For example, a biology teacher from Bergen County proposed a challenge to his students. They had to debate over the subject of meiosis on Twitter by using a specific hashtag. This is a great opportunity for students to have fun and learn at the same time. As you need to know your meiosis in order to compress it into 140 characters.

“ We live in a digital ecosystem, and it is vital that educational institutions adapt ”

Carla Dawson – Digital Marketing Professor at the Catholic University of Cordoba

Professor Dawson really has a valid point there as history showed us all that, no matter how strong the resistance, technological progress and new trends will eventually become a standard. Of course, this applies to developed countries that already have a well-structured traditional educational system. It’s a totally different situation when it comes to developing countries that are still struggling to find their way.

A Stronger Community Through Social Media The benefits of social media in the education process doesn’t have to stop at the teacher-student relationship. There are a lot of other benefits that can be extracted from the use of social networking at higher levels as well. For example, principals or administrators can find a new way to integrate social media. Like sharing school news via social networks, holding online meeting with the parents or even starting fundraising for different projects.

And social media can quickly become the only channel of communication since we’re living fast-paced lives, parents are usually busy with work and cannot attend school meetings. But this doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be in touch with events or be able to check on their kids every once in awhile. Just like in every other field, communication is vital and if it can be done easily with the help of social media, why not go for it?

It may not be criteria just yet, but soon enough questions like ‘Does this school have a Facebook page?’ could become just as important as the things that parents are asking right now. Like, how well equipped the library is or what are the optional classes their child can be part of.

Conclusions The bottom line is that social media is a big part of our day to day life and there’s no point of keeping it away from the education process. School, college and university staff should be encouraged to make use of technology for student and parent communication. This could easily turn into an argumentative essay topic for college . But the benefits are obvious, starting with healthier parent-teacher relationships and all the way to permanently changing the way our children will learn.

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Social Media in Education: 13 Ideas for the Classroom

Since gaining widespread popularity in the early 2010s, social media has been a controversial topic when it comes to using it for education. However, many educators are now embracing social media as a teaching tool with a wide array of benefits for learning.

From parent-teacher communications to organizing group projects to developing digital literacy, social media has the potential to enhance the curriculum at any grade level — provided it is used responsibly. Here, we’ll explore eight platforms and five possible uses for social media in the classroom, plus some best practices for keeping it a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

How Social Media is Reshaping Education

As around 60% of the world’s population knows, social media can be an effective way to share news, find communities, build social networks and disseminate information instantly to a broad audience. According to Pew Research, 95% of American teens use at least one social media platform — so it makes sense that educators would seek to engage their students using technology they already interact with daily.

Teachers can use social media to organize group projects, communicate with students outside of class, share resources, and much more. Social media also has the potential to connect schools to the wider community for purposes including:

• Sharing school news
• Promoting school events
• Holding virtual town hall meetings
• Advertising fundraising initiatives
• Sending out emergency alerts

Since 90% of U.S. adults are also on social media (and many likely access it on their phones ), it is an incredibly useful medium for sending real-time communications to parents and guardians of school-aged children.

Pros & Cons of Social Media for Students

Of course, a tool as powerful as social media requires its users to exercise great responsibility to maintain a respectful, safe online environment. Teachers and students should be clear on both the benefits and risks before using these tools for educational purposes.

Benefits of social media in the classroom:

• Real-time communications can increase student engagement, collaboration, communication and overall participation.
• Many students may find it easier to participate in online discussions than in the classroom.
• Students can easily ask each other or their teacher questions about assignments outside of class.
• Students and teachers can quickly share helpful resources at any time.
• Teachers can easily share announcements with the entire class.
• Social media can provide a contingency plan for last-minute remote learning scenarios .
• Students can organize school events with each other or with the help of a teacher.
• Teachers can augment an online-only class by establishing a social media page or account strictly for building community.
• Students can practice using social platforms responsibly, including maintaining a respectful online discourse.
• Parents can stay informed of school news via a convenient, easily accessible platform.
• Teachers can communicate directly with parents as needed, especially if parents cannot attend an in-person meeting.
• Educators can build and enhance their own tech literacy skills to add to their portfolios.
• Most, if not all, social media platforms are free.

Downsides of using social media in the classroom:

• Social media can be a major distraction in class, especially if students are accessing their personal accounts independently. Private side conversations, off-topic activities and mindless scrolling can all happen when students are granted in-class internet access.
• If students primarily use social platforms to participate in class discussions, they can miss out on practicing face-to-face conversations and respectful in-person discourse.
• Some students may see social media assignments as an opportunity to cyberbully their classmates , so it’s critical that teachers set firm ground rules about responsible social media use.
• There is always a risk of a group member posting inappropriate content or language, since it is difficult to manage how students use social media platforms independently. Teachers must be responsible and attentive administrators to prevent and address inappropriate behavior.

8 Ways Teachers Can Use Social Media in the Classroom

While fewer school-aged young people are using Facebook today (about 32%, Pew finds), it can still be a useful tool for maintaining an online community, posting updates, sharing links and asking questions. Facebook can be used to organize specific projects, communicate with classes, form student clubs, plan events and more. The instant group chat function can facilitate real-time discussions, and Facebook Live enables teachers to lead virtual lessons, stream lectures and hold Q&A sessions. As administrators, teachers can set Facebook groups to private or invite-only to maintain a safe space for students.

Twitter can serve as more of a bite-sized message board where teachers can post short project updates, announcements, links to helpful resources or answer students’ questions. The platform can also serve as the basis for lessons in using concise language , since each post is limited to 280 characters — a valuable skill for both essay writing and future professional communications. Teachers can create dedicated handles or hashtags for each of their classes and invite both students and their guardians to follow along.

Blog posts provide another way for students to practice their essay writing, an increasingly important skill for higher grade levels. Instead of maintaining physical reading journals, students can submit weekly blog posts with their reflections and responses to assigned readings. Teachers can also use blogs to communicate project instructions during remote learning days or vacations and even write up a semester report for parents and guardians to review.

This is an excellent tool for sharing visual resources like infographics, artistic inspiration, tutorials or examples of finished projects. Many teachers use Pinterest to collect and organize their own lesson ideas, so creating a board (or several) where students can pin their own resources encourages collaboration and learning ownership. While students of all ages respond well to visuals, Pinterest may be particularly popular with younger students who are still practicing their reading skills.

Another great visual platform, Instagram can be useful for teachers to share updates, for administrators to post announcements and for students to post project results or follow accounts that are relevant to course content. Teachers can create class-specific accounts where they post assignments, instructions, resources, updates, and more.

This online community provides a space for anyone to unite around any interest imaginable — from fitness to classic film trivia to poetry. Reddit has a bit of an “anything goes” reputation for its lax posting guidelines, but moderators are typically on hand to mitigate any inappropriate or improper use of the platform. There’s a subreddit for every academic subject, so students can peruse threads for project research (while still verifying any information therein) and even post their own questions for the Reddit community to discuss.

Similar to Reddit, YouTube hosts video resources on any topic under the sun. Teachers can easily share educational videos, tutorials and any other type of video content. YouTube is also a great hosting platform for video projects, where students can upload finished videos for their teachers, classmates and guardians to watch on a private class channel.

This professional networking platform is mostly used by people in the post-school workforce, so high school students may not even be aware of it yet. However, whether they decide to attend college or not, learning how to market their skills and build a professional network can help students navigate the job market after graduation. LinkedIn is also a great place to find articles and other resources to help young professionals build their industry knowledge and skills.

5 Social Media Lesson Ideas to Try

The ideas in this section are merely suggestions for unique ways to use social media in the classroom — but the internet is your and your students’ playground! Use these ideas as jumping-off points for your own social media-based lessons.

• Use blogs to chart learning progress. Blogs can be useful tools for language learning, whether that’s practicing how to craft a five-paragraph essay or improving one’s French writing skills. But this long-form writing platform can also be used to track students’ progress in any subject. For example, have chemistry students write biweekly posts summarizing everything they’ve learned in class, and ask them to revisit and write about certain topics once a semester to practice knowledge retrieval. These posts can also serve as test prep and reminders of any concepts students may need to review.
• Use Instagram or TikTok for visual responses. Most social media platforms popular with young people are visual-based, meaning they rely on images and videos to convey information. Writing skills are essential for school, but sometimes it’s easier (and more fun) for students to engage with their learning using formats they’re more comfortable with. Instead of a written response to a textbook chapter, have students react using an appropriate TikTok trend. If students are required to show their work, ask them to create an Instagram carousel or Reel of their process and post it to a class-specific account.
• Use Twitter to illustrate the dangers of misinformation. Learning to find and cite accurate sources is a key skill for students, especially at higher grade levels. Unfortunately, misinformation is easy to encounter on social media, where anyone can make a claim or spread false information without providing a source. Show students an inaccurate tweet or other social post and ask them to verify or debunk its claims. Have them document their research process and cite the sources they used to fact-check the post.
• Use LinkedIn to help older students craft their resumes. Marketing themselves in a professional sense isn’t always a skill young people learn in school, but it’s a skill that proves useful for nearly every adult. Have students use LinkedIn to craft a professional objective, organize and explain their work and educational experiences, ask for recommendations and start making connections with potential mentors and employers.

Best Practices for Social Media in Education

For many young people, social media is a part of their (and their parents’) everyday lives. Chances are, if a teacher chooses to incorporate social media into a lesson, many students will already be familiar with the platform and how to use it. Since students may be accustomed to using social media outside of an educational context, it’s crucial that teachers set ground rules and expectations for the appropriate use of these tools.

The following are some best practices that will keep social media a safe and productive place for students and their teachers:

Set professional boundaries: Many teachers also likely have personal social media accounts, so when using these platforms for lessons, it’s best to create an entirely new account dedicated solely to academics. Keep accounts private and invitation-only so that no one besides students and their parents can access the content. No one, teachers included, should be posting anything about their personal lives or content that is unrelated to the course. Invite students to create new user accounts as well to avoid mixing their personal and academic business.

Prioritize increasing digital literacy: Generations of digital natives (including today’s school-aged children and many of their parents) have likely already been practicing online etiquette, but it never hurts to review both practical and appropriate ways to use social media. Remind students that anything they post online has the potential to exist forever, which becomes especially important as they begin to apply to colleges and search for jobs. Students should conduct themselves online just as they are expected to in school.

Promote student achievements: You and your students put in a lot of work during the school year — share your accomplishments with the community! If your school has a public social media account, provide the account manager with information about your class’s latest project or an upcoming showcase so members of the community can see what students have been up to. Not only does this give students an opportunity to show off their work, but it also serves as promotional information for anyone considering enrolling their own children in the school.

Manage multiple accounts from the same place: If you manage multiple accounts for one or more classes, use a tool like Hootsuite or Facebook Publishing (which integrates Facebook and Instagram) to draft and schedule posts for multiple platforms at once. This is especially helpful when students and parents need the same information, but each group predominantly uses a different platform.

Part of a teacher’s job is to never stop learning, whether it’s about the subject matter they teach, new educational tools or innovative ways to engage students. The University of San Diego offers multiple courses for educators in the Professional and Continuing Education program, including classes covering educational technology , digital literacy , equity in the classroom and more. USD also offers certificate programs that focus on specific aspects of education, so that teachers can build a suite of skills in areas like STEAM education or supporting English language learners .

For a full range of USD courses available through the PCE program, explore all course offerings here .

How can I ensure students’ safety on social media?

To protect students’ privacy, keep all class-related social media accounts private or invitation-only and encourage them to set their own accounts to private or create new class-specific profiles. Review proper online etiquette and behavior with students and establish firm consequences for cyberbullying. As a teacher, it’s critical to maintain professional boundaries online, so avoid discussing or posting anything personal on school social media accounts. You may even want to grant access to students’ parents so they can monitor how their children are using these spaces.

How can I use TikTok in my lessons?

According to Pew Research, 67% of U.S. teens use TikTok , with 16% on the app almost constantly. Since so many students already gather in this digital space, teachers can engage them by creatively incorporating it into lessons. Ask students to film reactions to course content using TikTok trends, conduct research via subject matter experts’ posts, or create response videos in place of traditional project reports.

Which social media platform is best for communicating with parents?

It depends on what kinds of content you want to share and which platforms parents and guardians are comfortable using. At the beginning of each school year, send out a survey asking parents to indicate their preferred social media platform, then use the top two results for parent-facing communications. With so many people on multiple social media platforms, it’s best not to limit school news to just one; fortunately, managing multiple accounts at once is simple with social media management tools like Hootsuite and Facebook Publishing.

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Social Media in Education Research Paper

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The education process has changed dramatically over the past few decades. With the introduction of the Internet, the search and sharing of information have become easier, yet more complex. Particular rules have to be followed to ensure the sources are credible and meaningful. The use of social media presents a specific interest, as the talks circulate the society on whether it is a useful platform for education. Services like Twitter and Facebook are still viewed mainly as means for sharing personal information, despite many companies using them for promoting their business. Social media should become a part of the learning process since it is evident that it helps to enhance education by providing the means to share, receive feedback and use academic works in a way the traditional learning cannot offer. (claim of value)

• Students are more interested in doing the work when they know it can be seen not only by their teacher but also by their classmates and followers. (logos) They may use various skills for a project to be unique and outstanding so that the audience would like it. While Facebook and Twitter are also the platforms for expressing personal thoughts and experience, it might be a good chance of showing how a student is passionate about the course and how it fits into his or her worldview.
• Social media usage leads to an increased level of student engagement which lies beyond school assignments. Evans provided the research results in his article, which concluded that “students who used Twitter more were more likely to indicate that they engaged in university-associated activities” (913). (ethos) It proves that Twitter and other platforms extend the learning process, making scholars willing to share their thoughts on discussed topics and events. The constant interest in a course may help to acquire a better understanding of a subject and keep the knowledge lasting.
• Using personal accounts stimulates students to behave more responsibly to what they post (Silver 449). It becomes necessary not only to provide a link to a piece of work but also to present it properly. This concept may become a source for creating a unique platform for scholarly discussions, where thoughts and opinions are properly structured and supported by evidence. These discussions can also give benefits to teachers who may use them as arguments for their class lectures.
• The impact of classmates’ feedback is evidenced as high. List et al. claim that it may become one of the final reasons for a student to stay in a university (99). (ethos) Social media’s ability to offer a fast and adequate response to a posted material may encourage students to keep working on a subject in the future. Even if a teacher recognizes the work merely as partially successful, the classmates’ feedback may present an opposite opinion. This is a valuable experience that may help to understand that society does not have a single thought on a topic. (pathos)
• Receiving feedback on a project before the class discussion may result in a higher level of attendance. Students will be more encouraged with the upcoming class if they know their work receives many positive peer reviews. Not only do these reviews create confidence about the consistency of a project, but they also show that the author’s approach and thoughts are valued and shared. (pathos) Besides, the social media feedback takes away the initial fear of the project’s reception in the classroom.
• Social media may be useful in receiving feedback from a teacher as well. While the final review is usually made in class, Facebook may give an option of quick dialogues, where students ask questions about the project requirements they did not understand in class. Seaman and Tinti-Kane have conducted research, which shows that “more than 55 percent of faculty make professional use of social media outside the classes they teach on at least a monthly basis” (7). This may be a great opportunity for getting feedback since Facebook is more suitable for short messages than, for instance, e-mail services. (ethos, logos)
• It is not always possible to attend educational meetings that take place in other cities or even countries. That is where the social networks play a role of a unifying force. Scholars from all over the world can trace these events via Facebook and Twitter. Various hashtags may give access to all the material linked to the subject. It is especially valuable to students who have chosen distance learning as their study method.
• A single class or course networks also show good results in the learning process. List et al. claim that the researched freshman networks “linked social interaction and theoretical discussion to course content and create positively influenced the students’ first year experience” (101). Seeing the number of scholars researching the same subject may be encouraging, and their thoughts may prove to be valuable for future research or the development of personal opinions.
• Nowadays more and more companies ask for a candidate’s social profile to evaluate his or her traits and competencies. If a former student has led, for instance, the Facebook page with submitting academic coursework results to it, this page may serve as a type of an extended CV. The proper language and the ability to give grounded feedback and lead a discussion may give a candidate extra points, especially if the future work is connected to customer service. (logos)
• The general attitude towards companies using social profiles for measuring candidates’ competencies has changed in recent years. Silver tells that nowadays he encourages his students to use Facebook and Twitter, for other people will find their achievements (450). (ethos) Different media types may feature videos of presentations, tapes of readings, or links to the published works. All of these elements speak better than several lines in the CV.
• Finally, students can search for work through Facebook and Twitter. If they are a part of an academic community, which was mentioned above, they may trace the career path of other students, which took the same subject. While most of the programs nowadays are still mainly conservative and bound to classrooms, it is not always possible to predict how particular courses will benefit students in their future careers. The social networks can make the learning process more applicable to work realities. (logos).

The idea of using social networks for studying is not supported by everyone to the same extent. For instance, there is an opinion that Facebook distracts students from the learning process in class (ethical fallacy). While they surf the Internet pages and check the latest statuses of their friends, scholars can miss the information from an instructor. This may lead to academic problems in the future, especially in the science field, where reading and memorizing are not enough to succeed (fallacy, not enough proof).

While this is partially true, it is important to focus on the benefits of social networking and to keep in mind that these matters should always be regulated in class. Besides, some majors like Journalism or International Relations, for instance, require the discussion of the current events which take place in the world. Several mass media profiles on Twitter may provide links to those events, thus allowing discussing them on the spot.

The analysis of all the evidence presented above proves that social networks are useful when applied to the learning process. They should become an essential part of education since they provide opportunities for sharing works and creating academic networks not available to the conservative approach. (restated thesis) Services like Twitter and Facebook will support and develop education in the nearest future.

Works Cited

Evans, Chris. “Twitter for teaching: Can social media be used to enhance the process of learning?” British Journal of Educational Technology , vol. 45, no. 5, 2014, pp. 902-915.

List, Sarah H, Jane Warland and Coleen Smith. “The Challenges of Creating an Online Undergraduate Community of Practice.” Impact of Social and Mobile Media and Networks on Learning Environments in Higher Education . Ed. Patrick Blessinger. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2013. pp. 99-112.

Seaman, Jeff and Hester Tinti-Kane. Social Media for Teaching and Learning . Pearson, 2013.

Silver, David. “Twitter Meets the Breakfast Club.” Perspectives on Argument . 8 th ed. Eds. Nancy V. Wood and James S. Miller. Pearson, 2015. pp. 498-500.

• Review of Global Education Networks
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• “To Twitter or Not to Twitter”: Critique of Robert’s W. Lucky Article
• An Analysis of Facebook and Twitter
• Twitter and Facebook: The Core Competencies
• Technology Effect on Early Learning
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• The iPhone Usage for Educational Purposes
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• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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Chapter 6: 21st-century media and issues

6.10.2 Social media and communication (research essay)

Lindsey Matier

English 102, April 2021

Communication is extremely important in today’s world, whether it be verbal or nonverbal. It can take place through many different forms such as through writing, speaking, listening and physical actions. These forms of communication evolve and continue to improve over time. As humans, we rely on communication for almost everything and it is a way of life. Communication has evolved from talking to writing letters to texting or talking over the phone. Every time a new form of communication is brought up and becomes more popular, we have to adapt and evolve to that new lifestyle. Throughout all the new forms of communication and ways of evolving, social media has been one of the most influential so far. Social media has allowed us to create new ways of communicating, such as texting or posting through different apps. It can connect us with people all over the world and give us a platform to express ourselves in ways that have not been possible before. While social media started off as a small form of technology, it has morphed into aspects of our everyday life. Now there are apps for everything from social media profiles to online shopping. While social media and technology itself has evolved, this has also affected our communication with each other and the world. Social media has created a fast track for information in a matter of seconds. It can give people a platform with millions of followers overnight for doing practically anything. It can help people express themselves in new ways and connect with people who have similar interests. The end goal of social media is to make people happy and ultimately make lives easier.

Introduction

With all this being said, it is evident that social media is in our everyday lives and will continue to change. It has a very strong grip on society as social media usage continues to rise throughout the years. Generalizing social media, we are exposed to forms of media at almost all times of the day. Answering the question of what media is will help give a better understanding of social media as a whole. Media can be defined as a way of mass communication. This could include siting in the car listening to ads on the radio all the way to scrolling on twitter. We are exposed to social media less often than generalized media, but it tends to come in greater quantities when exposed. For example, for people that wake up and check twitter it is an instant flood of information with every scroll. Everything from politics to sports to celebrity news is available at the fingertips. The concern is not all focused on the overwhelming information, but also the overwhelming number of comments and opinions. If we wanted to debate or talk about something before social media it had to be done in person, face to face. Now with social media, we are able to fight with people in comment sections on a backup account with a different name and no connection to who we really are. This new form of communication takes away the vulnerability of speaking to people and having genuine conversation, and makes up for it in internet trolls. Overall, social media is impacting the way we communicate with each other and the real questions are: Is social media impacting us in a positive or negative way? Do the positive aspects outweigh the negative aspects? Is social media hindering the way we communicate in person with each other? Is their more room for improvement when it comes to dealing with communication in the social media spectrum? How is social media impacting younger generation’s communication versus older generation’s communication? How can we help improve our communication skills on social media and in real life?

Personal Research 

Along with the other studies that I found from the sources I chose, I also conducted my own study to determine more accurate and recent data. I asked students mostly within high school and college range questions relating to social media and communication. I tried to get a wide range of data dealing with social media apps, screen time, and overall communication as a result of social media. I expected to see almost all negative responses about social media and communication. I figured that most people would respond saying that it has affected them negatively rather than positively, but the results were different compared to what I expected.

The first questions I asked had to do with social media itself. I asked questions about their most used social media apps, screen time, what age they were allowed to start using social media, and whether or not they think social media has had a negative or positive impact on them. As expected, most of the social media apps were some of the most popular ones like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. Overall, the average screen time for all apps was evenly split between 4-6 and 6-8 hours, which I also expected. Something that did surprise me was the amount of time spent on certain social media apps. The data was split pretty evenly three ways and all between 1-4 hours. The next two questions dealt with when they group surveyed started using social media. I asked these questions because a lot of the points I want to discuss later in my paper have to deal with age and whether younger generations are suffering when it comes to communication. More than half the people surveyed said that they wished that they had waited to get social media until they were older. Some said that it is not appropriate for younger kids and that it is just toxic in general. Something that I really like that a couple people mentioned was that in reality, social media at a young age is stupid and useless. A lot of people said they wish they would have enjoyed their childhood more and they would be more extroverted now if they had not been exposed that early. The last question of this section that I asked was if they thought social media has had a more positive or negative impact on them. Overall, the data was split but leaning slightly towards the more positive side. The positive answers mostly dealt with being able to talk to stay in contact with people and meeting new friends. The negative answers all related to mental health and feeling bad about themselves. A lot of people said it is toxic and very controlling and takes up too much of our time.

The next set of questions I asked had to do more with communication and interaction with and without social media. I asked questions like how they feel about social media and how it has impacted their communication, their mental health, and if it has made our lives easier. I decided to ask questions like these because I figured I would get a wide range of responses and a lot of people’s different opinions. I started off by asking if people are an introvert or an extrovert to get an idea of what the responses would be like, and 66% said somewhere in between the two. The response for the next question really shocked me because I received such a one-side response. I asked if they think social media has impacted their communication and the way they interact with others and 75% (18/24 people) said yes. This is the information that I was looking for along with the next two questions. The next question asked if they think social media has negatively impacted their mental health and 50% said yes. I also plan on using this as a research question to show that social media can affect our mental health and therefore affect the way we interact with and around other people. The last two questions are similar but the responses were both very good. Almost everyone answered yes to the question asking if social media has made our lives easier. Everyone that answered yes said they think so because it helps them talk to friends, stay in touch with people they do not see as much, and meet new people that they are comfortable talking to. The people that said no also made good points such as it takes over our lives and it is filled with too much hate and cancel culture. I agree with both sides and am very happy that people can feel a positive response especially when it comes to communicating with other people online. The last question I asked was used to wrap up the whole survey and topic. I asked if they think social media has made our generation’s communication improve or worsen. The data was pretty evenly split, and most people gave a positive and a negative. The people that said improve gave that answer because they said it broadens our communication and allows us to talk to people at a wider range. The people who said it has made it worse all said that it is ruining our face-to-face interaction and causing us to lose emotion. They said that some people do not even know how to have a proper in person conversation and that they are too dependent on their phones. Overall, I agree with both arguments that people made but I do think that the positives outweigh the negatives in most of these situations and questions.

Research Questions

The first question I want to ask has to deal with the overall social media and communication connection and has multiple other questions I would like to cover within it. The main question is: Is social media hindering the way we communicate with each other? I also want to touch on questions like: Is social media impacting us in a positive or negative way? Do the positives outweigh the negatives? The second set of research questions I have is: Is their more room for improvement when it comes to dealing with communication in the social media spectrum? How can we help improve our communication skills on social media and in real life? How is social media impacting younger generation’s communication versus older generation’s communication?

Research Question One

Social media and communication have a direct connection to each other and both have a strong impact on the outcome of the other. My first research question has to do with that. My questions center around how social media has impacted our communication, and whether or not it is positive or negative. First, I think it is important to note the changes and different characteristics that come into play when talking about this. Things like age and problems going on in our world can affect our social media usage and communication. While we connect to people on a deeper level when talking to the in person, social media has also given us a newer and more broad way of communicating. The article “How Social Media Affects Our Ability to Communicate” by Stacey Hanke, talks about different ways social media has impacted our communication. Social media has become so relevant in our day to day lives and Hanke describes it in a couple different ways. She describes it as information binging and the fear of missing out, social graces and conversational boredom. Within these, she explains how social media has become an excuse and escape to talk to people face to face. Hanke also talks about how even though it is limiting our in person communication, it can sometimes make communicating in general easier, by being able to talk to each other in just a few words (Hanke 1). In another article by Ryan J. Fuller titled “The Impact of Social Media Use on Our Social Skills”, he discusses similar topics to Hanke’s article but also brings up more positive attributes of social media. Fuller starts of his article by giving some statistics, stating that 75% of teens own cellphones and 25% of them using it for social media, and also says that they use 7.5 hours a day using it (Fuller 1). I am glad that this was brought up because it is important to know how much time is spent on social media, scrolling through feed. Next, Fuller starts to discuss some of the benefits of social media. He briefly explains how social media is beneficial because we are able to stay in touch with our friends and family, and share important parts of our lives with them. He also explains how it helps people reach out to new friends and provide themselves with more opportunities (Fuller 1). Overall, I really like that he mentioned these because it is important to keep in mind the vast majority of social media and communication. While some use it for more simpler purposes likes just keeping up to date with what is going on in the world, others use it to make new friends, find new job opportunities, and stay in touch with people. Another topic I find important when it comes to answering this research question is how Covid affected everything. With the pandemic, we were left inside with nothing to do but what was at our fingertips. This pandemic increased social media usage drastically. The article “Social Media Insights Into US Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Analysis of Twitter Data” by Danny Valdez et al, shows extensive research into determining just how much social media usage in the United States increased during the pandemic. They did experiments and surveys to determine multiple responses to research questions and show how much we rely on social media to communicate with each other. During the pandemic, everyone spent more time on their social media and their phone in general, probably more than they would like to admit. The article helps give more insight into this claim. There is the idea that social media was meant as an addition to our lives. For some people, it has become an addiction and a new piece of their life. The article focuses on how social media could be a toxic place and have a negative effect on our mental health. The time period for this information focuses around the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from Twitter, Valdez created a study to determine the mood of people during the pandemic and the usage throughout (Valdez et al 2). Collecting tweets with certain hashtags and during time periods, the goal was to determine how much the pandemic affected people’s moods, and how much they put out and shared on social media. They used hashtags, timeline data, and tweets from different periods such as the first lockdown, different stay at home orders, etc. Given the responses to the data, they were able to determine the increase in social media usage. We cannot determine if this had a positive or negative effect on the people who were using Twitter, but we can infer that social media is becoming a key part of our lives. Not being able to talk to people as much in person during the first few months of the pandemic greatly affected communication, in positive and negative ways. Communication over the phone increased due to the amount of free time that people had and were able to spend talking to others. Contrary to that, in person communication also decreased given that people were not really allowed to leave the house. The next article by Tayebi et al, “The Role of Information Systems in Communication Through Social Media” focuses a lot about how we have evolved over time with social media and communication. They start off by talking about how social networks are like social media societies. They explain it by resembling it to a human society, as it is filled with people communicating, regardless of time or place. They also exemplify other aspects such as emotional support, information, emotions (Tayebi 2). Social media is constantly looked at through such a negative light due to some of the major bad events that have taken place. While it can be difficult at times to look past the negatives, it is important to recognize and acknowledge the positives. The growth of scientific research would not be possible without the amount of information received from the media (Tayebi 3). Without social media and media in general, we would not be where we are today as a society. As mentioned earlier, it is so easy to get lost in the negative aspects of social media and discard the positive ones. Positive parts of social media such as widespread communication and unlimited access to information makes it all worth it. Staying on topic with positive aspects of social media and communication, social media in the workplace has also broken down barriers for communication. The article “A Guide to the Successful Use of Social Media in the Workplace” by Clark Boyd gives insight into how social media has improved the workplace, and ultimately communication and interaction as a whole. Companies can use social media as a form of branding and way to communicate their products (Boyd 4). Boyd states, “Harvard Business Review finds that 82% of employees believe social media improves work relationships. Left to their own devices, your teams will connect and communicate on social networks, both inside and outside the office.” This directly relates to the research question asking whether social media hinders our communication with each other. Social media also helps when it comes to dealing with complaints placed online. By seeing these through social media, it can help the company communicate either with the person or their company the concerns that are being stated (Boyd 9). Overall, it is safe to say that social media has directly affected communication throughout different aspects of our lives.

Research Question Two

My second set of research questions has a lot to do with the future and how we can improve. Questions such as: Is their more room for improvement when it comes to dealing with communication in the social media spectrum? How can we help improve our communication skills on social media and in real life? How is social media impacting younger generation’s communication versus older generation’s communication? The article “What is Literacy” by James Paul Gee talks a lot about the basics of communication. I find this an important article to talk about before I go into more detail with this second research question. Gee explains discourse as a socially accepted way of speaking, thinking, and acting (Gee 1). It is important to note this because social media has changed that discourse for us. We no longer communicate and interact the same way in which we use to therefore almost giving us a new discourse. Another thing Gee discusses is identity kits. Gee explains identity kits as “appropriate costumes and instructions on how to act and talk” (Gee 2). This relates to social media because there is a certain way we communicate online that we wouldn’t do in person. For example, we use emojis and abbreviations to communicate on social media or over text, but this is something we would not do when communicating face-to-face. There are also some basic well-known rules of social media that follow along the lines of an identity kit. Such as, for Instagram it is a common idea not to like people’s pictures from too long ago. When you say this aloud it sounds like it is not a big deal and silly almost, but for people that use social media it is something that makes sense. The next article is going to focus more on the question that has to do with room for improvement of communication. The article “The Positive Effect of Not Following Others on Social Media” by Francesca Valsesia, Davide Proserpio, and Joseph C. Nunes involves how we deal with social media and how we react to it. The article has a lot to do with pyramid schemes and marketing schemes on social media, simply due to follower count. Social media has a lot of power over us and the content we see. Influencers have too much impact on what we see every day and this overall effects our communication (Valsesia 1). Social media feeds us information at our fingertips, whether it be true or false. Valsesia is trying to get the point across that social media has no impact on our lives without the phone and therefore, having a smaller follower count is better for our communication and overall wellbeing in the first place. Leading into my next article, social media can have a huge impact on the younger generation. This leads into part of my second research question dealing with the younger generation and their communication. The article “The Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health: Challenges and Opportunities” by Jacqueline Nesi shows how social media is a very complex brand of information and makes it complicated for everyone. Younger kids having access to it and multiple devices like computers and phones makes it that much more difficult. There are a lot of positives and negatives for younger kids having access to social media and the internet in general. It has an impact on their mental health and studies show it leads to signs of depression, body dysmorphia, eating disorders (Nesi 2). It can also affect their communication and outward identity due to things such as bullying, internet drama, and behavioral problems. While it does have serious negative risks, social media also can bring a lot of new positive ones. Things like creative ideas, humor and entertainment, and being able to explore their identity are all really great positives that social media gives us (Nesi 4). Most of them using it as a way to connect with friends and family and help them feel a sense of acceptance and belonging (Nesi 4). Similarly to this, social media has given a great outlet for kids and young adults to speak out on issues going on in the world. The article “Building Bridges: Exploring the Communication Trends and Perceived Sociopolitical Benefits of Adolescents Engaging in Online Social Justice Efforts” by Mariah Elsa Kornbluh goes into detail about the racial injustices in the world and how they are communicated through social media. Social media networks can help connect kids to different backgrounds and aspects of their lives (Kornbluh 1). Kornbluh expresses how a society only can flourish under civic engagement and being able to express ourselves, and social media is helping us do that. It is helping the younger generation prepare for the civic role that they will undergo (Kornbluh 2). Social media helps play a major role in participating in political movements and bringing awareness to topics (Kornbluh 3). This all is done by the younger generation and would not be possible without them. So, while it is easy to look at the negative parts of social media and how it effects the younger generation, it also brings great awareness to real life problems in our world. This last article I wanted to go over dealing with this research question has to do with the pandemic. The article “Responses to COVID-19 in Higher Education: Social Media Usage for Sustaining Formal Academic Communication in Developing Countries” by Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih, Ahmed M. Hasanein and Ahmed E. Abu Elnasr briefly talks about communication with social media in higher education systems. Education systems had to switch from in person learning and communication to online learning, which was a struggle for everyone. Throughout the time that this took place, results showed that social media had a positive effect on students dealing with this (Sobaih 1). Students used social media to build a community and help support each other through this rough time. Through these results, proper usage of social media can be shown as a positive result for a new era of learning (Sobaih 1). This is just one more reason why social media can help us improve our future.

After answering my research questions, it has become clear to me that while social media does have negative aspects, the positive aspects outweigh them. Between the articles and my own research, I have enough evidence to prove that social media does effect communication, but in a more positive way. The way we act and present ourselves is heavily influenced by social media and communication between generations are different and can be seen that way. It is important to note the accomplishments we have made as a society with social media and the media in general. It has helped connect families, provide support groups, and provide entertainment in desperate times. Our communication has changed because of social media but has changed and helped us for the better in the long run. Keeping social media a positive place and staying away from the toxic people on it will only help us grow and learn new things about ourselves.

Works Cited

Boyd, Clark. “A Guide to Using Social Media in the Workplace in 2021.”  The Blueprint , The Blueprint, 13 May 2020, www.fool.com/the-blueprint/social-media-in-the-workplace/.

https://www.fool.com/the-blueprint/social-media-in-the-workplace/

D, Valdez, et al. “Social Media Insights Into US Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Analysis of Twitter Data.”  Journal of Medical Internet Research  , vol. 22, no. 12, 14 Dec. 2020, pp. 1438–8871.

http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu:2050/eds/detail/detail? vid=8&sid=ff59b04c-b868-44cd-b864-4538e112a2ea%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=33284783&db=mnh

J, Nesi. “The Impact of Social Media on Youth Health: Challenges and Opportunities.”  North Carolina Medical Journal , vol. 81, no. 2, 2020, pp. 116–121.

http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu:2050/eds/detail/detail?vid=10&sid=ff59b04c-b868-44cd-b864-4538e112a2ea%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=32132255&db=mnh

Gee, James Paul. “What is literacy.”  Negotiating academic literacies: Teaching and learning  across languages and cultures  (1998): 51-59.

https://academic.jamespaulgee.com/pdfs/Gee%20What%20is%20Literacy.pdf

Hanke, Stacey. “How Social Media Affects Our Ability to Communicate.”  Thrive Global , 13  Sept. 2018, thriveglobal.com/stories/how-social-media-affects-our-ability-to-communicate/.

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-social-media-affects-our-ability-to-communicate/

http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu:2050/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=467b825c-34f8-4e47-95df-e5b2b61bbaf4%40sessionmgr4006

Kornbluh, Mariah Elsa. “Building Bridges.”  Youth & Society , vol. 51, no. 8, 2017, pp. 1104–1126., doi:10.1177/0044118×17723656.

https://journals-sagepub-com.proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/doi/pdf/10.1177/0044118X17723656

Retchin, Sarah, et al. “The Impact of Social Media Use on Social Skills.”  New York Behavioral Health , 1 Dec. 2020, newyorkbehavioralhealth.com/the-impact-of-social-media-use-on-social-skills/.

https://newyorkbehavioralhealth.com/the-impact-of-social-media-use-on-social-skills/

Sobaih, Abu Elnasr E., et al. “Responses to COVID-19 in Higher Education: Social Media Usage for Sustaining Formal Academic Communication in Developing Countries.”  MDPI , Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 12 Aug. 2020, www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/16/6520/htm.

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Tayeb, Seyed Mohammad, et al. “The Role of Information Systems in Communication through Social Media.”  International Journal of Data and Network Science , vol. 3, no. 3, 2019, pp. 245–268., doi:10.5267/j.ijdns.2019.2.002.

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Valsesia, Francesca, et al. “The Positive Effect of Not Following Others on Social Media .”  Journal of Marketing Research  , vol. 57, no. 6, Dec. 2020, pp. 1152–1168.

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Understanding Literacy in Our Lives by Lindsey Matier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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The Role of Social Media in Education

In today’s digital era, we can see many educational institutions adapting social media developments into their systems to improve students’ life. The use of social media in education enables students, teachers, and parents to get helpful information easily, connect with other learning groups, and understand other educational systems. And all these are reasons why social media plays a key role in making education convenient these days. 

This is why educators who see the value in social media have begun to embrace it and use its many benefits fully. This article will explore using social media in education and how it may benefit student’s learning experiences and lives. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!

How Does Social Media Help in Education?

Due to students’ familiarity with several platforms, integrating technology into the classroom has never been simpler. Some of the numerous ways that social media may be used in the classroom are to disseminate notifications and give live lectures to the students.

Using social media for communication, question-and-answer sessions, and grading and commenting on student work might be beneficial for teachers, parents, and students. In addition, students might get experience with distant cooperation thanks to the use of social media. Students in today’s increasingly digital society must have the ability to thrive independently and adapt quickly to new contexts.

Although there are many things to think about before bringing social media into the classroom, we know that doing so will help pupils develop more sophisticated technological abilities.

Even within the context of the role of social media in education, a mechanical engineering degree stands as a testament to the interdisciplinary potential of these platforms, fostering collaborative learning, industry insights, and professional networking within the realm of technical education.

Top Benefits of Social Media in Education

Here are some of the top benefits of social media that describe its important role in education;

1. Helps in learning actively rather than passively

Utilizing social media for educational purposes has several advantages, one of which is increased student engagement. Using social media, students can participate in active rather than passive learning. By writing comments on other people’s articles, seeing live streaming, or completing quizzes, students may connect with the material and different knowledgeable people. 

Videos have a unique way of delivering information, which is more engaging than traditional learning methods. With the help of a video editor , teachers can create interactive and engaging content that keeps students interested and actively learning.

This improves the understanding of the subject and makes it more appealing by allowing the students to access content tailored to their unique areas of interest. 

2. Helps in Gaining access to many educational resources

The Pandemic has simplified online education since YouTube is now many students’ gateway to online education. Students may now access several courses and lectures from the comfort of their own homes. In addition, due to the accessibility of social media, students have access to a variety of materials.

Many individuals now live-stream their lectures on other websites, allowing students to acquire diverse knowledge. In addition, it enhances their understanding of the topic. They may even communicate with field experts to resolve their questions.

3. Helps in Developing good communication skills

Students’ ability to communicate may  improve or worsen  as a result of their usage of social media. Professional educators generally agree that students’ everyday social media usage is erasing boundaries between school and home. However, communicating effectively involves much more than just sitting in a classroom.

Many students find that the act of blogging, texting, or tweeting itself boosts their self-esteem. Students may feel more empowered when allowed to express themselves via these mediums. In addition, they have a powerful medium for spreading their ideas to others.

A social work degree adds a valuable human-centric perspective to discussions about the role of social media in education, emphasizing the importance of fostering inclusive and supportive online environments for students.

4. Helps in connecting and collaborating outside the classroom

Education and online social networks are a natural fit if you want to interact with others and work together outside a traditional classroom setting. Students may get insight from

 one another by participating in online discussion groups and forums. They may interact with peers from all around the globe to gain comments, ask questions, and initiate debates.

Students may even attend conferences from different parts of the world. Video conferencing technology makes this scenario feasible. Some schools actively promote student-student international collaboration on social media initiatives. Students may gain a deeper understanding of their peers’ linguistic and cultural backgrounds, which can make them aware of the culture.

5. Makes building networks easy

Most schools have a presence on LinkedIn, which can be very helpful when building a network. Students can start networking after they graduate. They can make a profile on LinkedIn and start connecting with people and building relationships. One of the benefits of connections is the chance to find a mentor.

By the time they graduate, they can already have a network of contacts if they join relevant LinkedIn groups while still in school. 

6. Provides credibility in the social domain

A rising number of secondary schools and colleges are providing students with the chance to communicate through social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The school community now uses these platforms to keep students informed of critical news, facilitate fruitful conversations, and provide useful information to the students.

Social media makes it simpler for authorities to communicate with students. As a result, the institution comes in a stronger position to address the problems voiced by students with unique interests, and it helps in establishing a close bond with the student. 

6. Keeps parents and teachers informed

Regarding practical benefits, social media makes it easy for parents and teachers to share information quickly. Teachers can share information with parents by making a private group for them. For example, they might talk about field trips, special events, school projects, etc. Teachers can post updates, share assignments, and even live stream meetings on a Facebook group for the parents.

Twitter is also a good place to  quickly remind parents  when assignments are due or share links to useful resources. Teachers can use a certain hashtag on Twitter to start chats. Parents may be on Twitter daily, so it’s easy for them to find out how their kids are doing in school. Pinterest’s virtual pinboards excel in both use and aesthetics. Parents may learn more about their children’s interests, hobbies, and reading progress via engaging bulletin boards. As a result, they’ll feel like they have a greater stake in their education.

7. Marketing platform for educational institutions 

Social media is a great tool for educational institutions to reach prospective students. Educators may gain credibility as subject-matter authorities by participating in relevant online communities. Through their guidance, students may learn from genuine authorities. Schools may use social media to reach out to both present and potential students. By doing so, they will be able to address a wider range of student concerns and increase their level of participation and trust.

Institutions of higher learning might use encouraging and helpful blogs for their audience. Motivating kids to persevere in adversity is an ideal application of video content.

The success of collaboration may depend on how well people are educated and how well they use social media. In the last few decades, social media have become more popular as a free way to get and share information and ideas. Every social media platform can be used in various ways, from making it easier for parents and teachers to talk to each other and for students and professionals to work together across borders. In addition, teachers are increasingly using social media to help students learn and improve the classroom environment.

If some students do not use social media, they can receive assistance with their homework through  AssignmentBro . In addition, they can hire a professional writer with education and expertise in management to do their assignments without any worries.

Q. Can I use social media while studying for exam preparation?

Social networking is one of the barriers that can keep you from studying. So, if you have an important test, it’s best to avoid social media because it can waste your time and keep you from learning.

Q. Should I use social media as a student?

The best way to improve your social skills is by using social media. Thanks to the social media platform’s attractive design, students are more inclined to interact and take note of one another’s strengths and abilities. In addition, students learn to be more accepting of each other and make good connections with their peers through audio and video tools.

Q. How can social media affect a student?

Students who spend too much time on social media are at increased risk for various mental health problems, including sleeplessness, eye strain, body image difficulties, depression, anxiety, and cyberbullying. 

Q. Does social media provide any benefits to students?

Social media allows students to express themselves online. It gives students the courage to express their opinions and advance their careers. In addition, social media enables students to communicate globally and helps them learn from peers and many others globally.

Eisha Mirza

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The Importance of Social Media in Education Essay

Table of Contents

Benefits of Social Media in Education Essay

Introduction.

Social media has become an integral part of our lives in the 21st century. With the advent of smartphones and mobile internet, people have been able to connect with each other in ways that were previously impossible. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and others have revolutionized the way we communicate and interact with each other. In recent years, social media has also become an important tool in education. In this essay, we will explore the effect of social media in education and how it can be used to enhance learning.

Enhanced Communication

Social media has made communication more efficient and effective. Teachers and students can now easily communicate with each other through platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter. This has made it easier for teachers to reach out to their students and provide them with additional resources or answer their questions. Similarly, students can communicate with their teachers and classmates about assignments, projects, and other class-related activities. Social media also allows for real-time collaboration between students on group projects, which is especially important for online classes.

Access to Information

Social media has made it easier for students to access information about various subjects. With the proliferation of educational content on platforms like YouTube, students can now learn about a wide range of topics from experts in the field. Similarly, teachers can use social media to share educational resources with their students, including articles, videos, and other multimedia content. This not only enhances learning but also helps students stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in their respective fields.

Increased Engagement

Social media has also increased student engagement in the classroom. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram allow teachers to create interactive assignments that require students to use social media to complete them. For example, teachers can ask students to create a video or infographic about a particular topic and share it on social media. This not only helps students learn but also makes the learning experience more enjoyable and memorable.

Networking Opportunities

Social media also provides networking opportunities for students. Platforms like LinkedIn allow students to connect with professionals in their field of interest and learn about career opportunities. This can be especially helpful for students who are looking for internships or jobs after graduation. Similarly, students can use social media to connect with alumni from their school and learn from their experiences. This not only helps students build their professional network but also provides them with valuable insights into their future careers.

Despite the many benefits of social media in education, there are also several challenges that need to be addressed. One of the biggest challenges is the potential for distractions. With so much content available on social media, students may be tempted to spend more time on social media than on their schoolwork. Similarly, social media can also be a source of cyberbullying, which can have a negative impact on students’ mental health.

Another challenge is the need for digital literacy skills. Students need to be taught how to use social media responsibly and effectively. This includes knowing how to verify sources, protect their privacy, and avoid scams and other online dangers. Without these skills, students may be vulnerable to misinformation and other online threats.

In conclusion, social media has become an important tool in education. It has enhanced communication, provided access to information, increased student engagement, and provided networking opportunities for students. However, it is important to address the challenges associated with social media, including potential distractions, cyberbullying, and the need for digital literacy skills. By doing so, we can ensure that social media is used responsibly and effectively in the Classroom , enhancing the learning experience for students.

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Analyzing the use of social media in education: A bibliometric review of research publications

• Published: 12 September 2023
• Volume 29 , pages 9495–9516, ( 2024 )

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• Awal Kurnia Putra Nasution   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-2791-1982 1  

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Since social media is increasingly pervasive in modern society, this bibliometric study aims to investigate its educational applications. Using the Scopus database, the bibliometric method analyses publications published between 2010 and 2022. The research indicates that student participation and ease of access are the two main benefits of using social media in the classroom. However, it also spreads misinformation and poses privacy and security risks. Articles that discussed how social media could be used in the classroom were found and organised using a bibliometric analysis based on their subject matter, year of publication, and authors. The research shows that between 2001 and 2020, there was a rise in the number of papers discussing the use of social media in the classroom. In addition, the top five countries in terms of annual publication output include the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia/India, and Canada. To further explore the connections between relevant articles, a co-citation network analysis was performed. Therefore, there must be strict rules and policies for using social media in education to address privacy and security concerns and the spread of false information.

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Nasution, A.K.P. Analyzing the use of social media in education: A bibliometric review of research publications. Educ Inf Technol 29 , 9495–9516 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12179-5

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15 ways to use social media for education

Written by by Jamia Kenan

Published on  September 6, 2023

Reading time  9 minutes

With remote learning and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), social media is an integral part of education more than ever. There are many different ways to use social media for education inside and outside the classroom.

Because we believe in the power of social media to make nearly anything easier, we will share 15 ways to use social media for education, based on insights shared with us from top institutions.

Benefits of social media in education

Here are our top three benefits of using social media in education:

Benefit 1: Extends learning opportunities

Social media unleashes more learning opportunities. Online classes and remote jobs are the new norm, so teaching students to work from a distance becomes a necessity for digital literacy and preparing them for their careers. Social media platforms support educators in various ways from sharing announcements to holding live lectures.

Benefit 2: Create connections with students and alumni

Social provides a way for institutions to quickly and directly communicate with students, faculty, staff and alumni, fostering connections across various audiences. Social content can attract prospective students, keep parents informed, grow alumni networks, promote on-campus events and more.

Focusing on nurturing community and publishing engaging content can also help increase enrollment. According to our Higher Education Social Media Benchmarks for 2023 report, 41% of school officials can directly attribute increased enrollment to social strategy.

For example, Keele University said their campus photos on Instagram help students solidify their college decision. One student came to the university because she saw their posts on Facebook and it helped confirm her decision, later becoming a digital ambassador for the school.

Benefit 3: Build brand identity

Social supports and amplifies university branding . University marketing teams use social media to maintain a positive brand reputation for their institutions. With the right strategy, colleges and universities can attract more students, increase endowments, promote events or initiatives and improve alumni relations.

Bonus resource : Current students, prospective students, alums, athletes and fans all want something different from your social presence. Use this higher education social media benchmark report to guide your strategy as you meet each of your audiences where they are.

Get the report

Social media in the classroom

From preschool to college, there are so many methods for using social media in the classroom to communicate and educate. Here are seven ways to use social media in the classroom across platforms:

1. Use posts to broadcast updates and alerts

Instructors and colleges can meet students where they are by incorporating social media platforms they’re likely already familiar with like Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter).

Have students follow a class Facebook Page or join a Facebook Group to view posts about course updates, homework assignments and tests. Universities can have publicly accessible pages dedicated to specific schools or departments that students can see even if they aren’t active on Facebook.

When using social media for education, it’s important to maintain a professional boundary. Email students a direct link to the Facebook Group for access and avoid sending friend requests. Groups are the perfect “home base,” especially for online courses because it makes it easy to connect with students. Similarly, instructors and departments can use Posts on X to keep students informed.

2. Use live streaming for lectures and discussions

Instructors can use Facebook Groups, Instagram Live, YouTube Live or LinkedIn Live to stream lectures and facilitate more accessible learning. If a student can’t come to the lecture hall, they can join online or review later. Adding live captions helps students who may be deaf or hard of hearing, non-native speakers, or learn visually. And platforms like Instagram and YouTube allow live streams to be recorded, providing students with review material for midterms and finals season.

Recorded live streams also widen the institution’s reach and authority by making lectures available to scholars and professors from other colleges, states or countries.

3. Use X for class updates and more

X is a great option for providing quick updates and reminders to students. Teachers can create a single handle per class and reuse it every year, or they can create a new handle each school year. Use X threads to share resources like practice quizzes, interesting perspectives or thought-provoking quotes to foster critical thinking. Hashtags can mark specific discussions or chats with guest speakers.

4. Create a class blog for discussions and cross-channel learning

Blogs are another great outlet for incorporating social media in the classroom. Students can link to the class blog on other social channels. For example, a student might share a photo from their visual essay on LinkedIn to attract the attention of recruiters for job or internships. Using blogs as a semester-long assignment can improve students’ short-form writing and critical thinking.

Don’t feel limited to just an English or writing class; this use of social media in education can be transferred across all subjects. There are also several platforms professors can use to create class blogs, such as Tumblr, Medium or WordPress. The course syllabus, updates and resources can be shared on the blog as well.

5. Use Instagram for digital storytelling

Have students practice storytelling on Instagram by creating class-specific accounts where they can present photos or graphics (and delete them once the course is over, if they so choose). This can work especially well in visual-heavy classes: Have photojournalism students post essays or challenge the social media marketing class to create a faux-brand campaign.

6. Create a class-specific Pinterest board

Educators can use Pinterest to prepare and organize resources, lesson plans and worksheets for their classes in one place. They can also set up Pinterest boards for each of their classes and save pins that are relevant to lessons.

Create boards according to class or subject, and create sub-topic boards for weekly units, projects or worksheets. Pinterest can also be useful for students to curate a digital bibliography for research projects, papers or group assignments. Students can pin websites, books or videos to a board on a single topic and refer back to it when it’s time to write an essay or thesis.

7. Prep for post-graduation and create alumni relationships

LinkedIn can help current students develop networking skills, craft their personal brand and connect with alumni. Flexing these career muscles could help them earn internships, gain mentors and secure job offers before they walk across the stage on graduation day.

Institutions can use LinkedIn for university colleges as well.  For example, a business school may have several private LinkedIn Groups for regional alumni chapters to connect them with students and faculty for internships, fundraising, volunteer opportunities and events.

Encouraging students to post relevant articles, projects and research, internship experiences and other academic accomplishments helps the university develop social proof on the platform. This is also an excellent example of the importance of incorporating advocacy into your social strategy.

Social media for education marketing

Just as there were many ways to use social media in the classroom, there are also many uses for social media in education marketing. Social media marketing can help if you’re looking to reach a larger audience for your college or university. Let’s dive into how social media can empower education marketing.

8. Leverage TikTok creators and influencers for user-generated content

Although many public universities have banned TikTok from campus Wi-fi , some educators and institutions embrace the app to educate and connect with students. Student and teacher influencers can provide user-generated content that satisfies a prospective student’s desire to see authentic content from their peers and future professors.

For example, Chapman University professor @itsmattprince went viral after challenging his class to earn 1 million likes on a TikTok video in exchange for canceling their final:

Fun, yet real-world applications like this illustrate the power of social influence—plus who doesn’t love a canceled final?

9. Include social media links on your school website

In the Higher Education Social Media Benchmarks for 2023 report, we found that 68% of high school students use social channels to research schools. Many parents and prospective students will check a school’s website first if they’re interested, and offering even more ways to follow the school creates a different insight into campus life.

Make it easy for parents and students to find your school’s social media profiles by adding links to the website’s main navigation or creating a social media directory that houses them all in one place.

10. Give a glimpse into student life through photo and video

If you want to attract new students and parents to your school, share photos of campus events to showcase what they could expect. Use short-form video like Reels, TikTok or YouTube Shorts to help prospective students envision themselves attending college there.

Highlighting events, sports, extracurriculars and the beauty of campus can make your school stand out from the rest. While school and university websites tend to follow the same mold, social media allows you to be more unique and casual like this Barbenheimer-inspired post from the University of Georgia:

11. Create alumni community groups

Many alumni want to remain involved with their alma mater after graduation. Creating a dedicated community via Facebook Groups or LinkedIn Groups can increase engagement.

For example, the University of Newcastle has over 148,000 alumni. Their team features current students, staff and alumni to amplify the career opportunities that manifest from being part of their community.

Alumni groups, groups for different graduating classes or departments, and groups for different extracurriculars and organizations allow former and current students to engage and meet others with common interests. Take a look at our alumni engagement best practices guide to learn more ways to keep the school spirit flowing.

12. Incorporate a social media crisis strategy

How would you communicate to the entire campus during an emergency? Whether it’s a fire, tornado or other immediate campus emergency, a social media crisis plan can help institutions proactively prepare. Keep parents and students updated on the situation by sharing information about the crisis and if authorities are involved. Many campuses have automated messaging alerts set up, but using social also enables people to be updated in real time.

Institutions can use social listening , which involves analyzing conversations and trends related to your brand , to aid with public relations crisis management plans. Seneca College leveraged Sprout’s capabilities a few years ago when 12,000 staff members went on strike. Using Brand Keywords and the Smart Inbox, the social media team was able to sort through and respond to a deluge of inbound feedback from concerned students.

13. Use chatbots to support students outside of office hours

In our higher education social media playbook , we talk about the importance of social customer service. Using automated replies or chatbots can help the student body get their questions answered immediately, or at least guide them to a solution faster.

Keele University used chatbots via Sprout’s Bot Builder to respond immediately to common questions about courses and bursary information. In the five months after using chatbots, nearly 500 conversations addressed a variety of topics from housing applications to international student services.

14. Iterate social strategy to create student-centric content

Using social media for education allows educators and marketers to meet students where they are by connecting on channels they use everyday. Social creates an opportunity for institutions to be more even more student-centric. But to keep students engaged, institutions will need to produce content that caters to the wants and needs of their audience(s).

If you want to manage your institution’s social channels successfully, you’ll need to iterate and improve your strategy by reviewing the top and lowest performing content.

Dartmouth College uses Sprout’s Sent Messages report to determine content performance and iterate their overall social strategy as needed. After reviewing which posts performed well, they schedule new posts with similar content to inform their content calendar.

15. Manage your communities all under one roof

Social media empowers universities to bring their various audiences together. Many institutions have an extensive community of prospective and current students, faculty, staff and alumni, but this causes a common pain point: decentralization.

Since colleges and universities have multiple social media accounts, it can be difficult to manage them all seamlessly. However, using a social media management software centralizes multiple networks in one place, so overseeing various accounts becomes more manageable and scalable.

Texas A&M University , one of the largest public universities in the nation, uses social media to connect with these various communities. The university has hundreds of departments, 16 colleges and 19 NCAA sports, so using a social media management tool is essential. Their social team uses Sprout’s publishing suite to discuss strategy, collaborate on content creation and provide feedback to interns all on one platform. In just six months, between August 2020 and January 2021,  Texas A&M earned over 131 million impressions and 8.3 million content engagements across X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

A tool like Sprout Social can help make social media management a breeze, regardless of whether you’re a solo marketer or a full marketing department. Multiple users can use the Sprout platform to create content with consistent messaging and schedule posts across networks at the best time using our ViralPost® feature .

And the Post Performance report takes the guesswork out of identifying what content resonates because teams can pinpoint top posts and view engagement across channels.

Sprout enables you to monitor and manage multiple accounts across different networks, which is ideal for educational institutions. Each department or teacher at your school might have their own separate social media accounts for specific information, and a social media management tool can help you ensure the right posts are going out on each of these accounts.

And if there is news or content relevant to multiple departments, Sprout enables users to share the same content across multiple profiles with a single click.

Start using social media for education

Using social media for education goes beyond the classroom because it helps educators shape a modern holistic learning experience, build community and establish academic authority.

Take some of these ideas for a test drive, and sign up for a free Sprout Social trial to help you manage it all.

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Essay on Importance of Social Media

Students are often asked to write an essay on Importance of Social Media in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Importance of Social Media

Introduction.

Social media plays a crucial role in our lives. It’s a powerful tool for communication, learning and entertainment.

Connecting People

Through social media, we can connect with people across the globe. It helps us share ideas and experiences.

Learning and Awareness

Social media also aids in learning. It provides a platform to share educational content. Moreover, it spreads awareness about social issues.

Entertainment

Social media is a source of entertainment. We can watch videos, play games, and enjoy other fun activities.

250 Words Essay on Importance of Social Media

The ubiquity of social media.

Social media has become an integral part of our lives, permeating our daily routines, work, and leisure. Its importance is undeniable, as it has transformed the way we communicate, interact, and perceive the world.

Communication and Connectivity

Social media has revolutionized communication, enabling real-time interaction regardless of geographical boundaries. It has fostered a global community, bridging gaps between cultures and societies, and promoting international collaboration.

Information and Awareness

Social media platforms serve as a reservoir of information, providing news, educational content, and updates from around the world. They play a key role in raising social awareness and mobilizing public opinion on significant issues.

The Power of Influence

With the rise of influencers and viral trends, social media has become a powerful tool for shaping public opinion and consumer behavior. It provides a platform for individuals to voice their opinions, influence others, and effect change.

Professional Opportunities

Social media has also transformed the professional landscape. LinkedIn, for instance, facilitates networking and job hunting, while platforms like Instagram and YouTube provide avenues for entrepreneurship and creative expression.

The Double-Edged Sword

In conclusion, social media’s importance is multifaceted, influencing our personal lives, society, and professional opportunities. Its responsible use is essential in harnessing its potential while mitigating its challenges.

500 Words Essay on Importance of Social Media

In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It has transformed the way we communicate, share information, and even conduct business. The importance of social media cannot be overstated, as it provides a platform for individuals and organizations to connect, interact, and exchange ideas on a global scale.

The Power of Connectivity

Information dissemination and awareness.

Social media has revolutionized the way information is disseminated. It provides a platform for instant news updates, making it a primary source of information for many. This rapid dissemination of information has also made social media a powerful tool for raising awareness about social issues and mobilizing public opinion.

Education and Learning

The role of social media in education and learning is often overlooked. It provides a wealth of resources and information, facilitating self-directed learning. Furthermore, it offers platforms for discussion, collaboration, and sharing of ideas, enhancing the learning experience.

Business and Marketing

Critical thinking and creativity.

Social media also fosters critical thinking and creativity. It encourages users to engage in discussions, debate on various topics, and share their perspectives. This engagement stimulates critical thinking. Additionally, the creation and sharing of digital content promote creativity and innovation.

In conclusion, the importance of social media in today’s world is multifaceted. It provides a platform for connectivity, information dissemination, learning, business, and creativity. However, it’s essential to use it responsibly and be aware of its potential downsides, such as misinformation and privacy concerns. As we continue to navigate the digital age, social media will undoubtedly remain a significant part of our lives, shaping our communication, learning, and business practices.

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Role of Social Media In Education

What is Social Media?

A set of websites & applications that enable users for making as well as sharing anything for participating in social networking is called Social Media.

It is not just only limited to posting vacation snaps online. It is an interactive computer-mediated technology for sharing of various ideas, information, career interests, and other forms of expression through apparent communities & worldwide network.

It has gained plausibility as a definitive source of information over several years. It is a platform where organizations can interact with their audiences.

Importance of Social Media for Students

Advantages of social media to students, reasons why social media is useful for students, impact of social media in education, how can social media be used in education, why do students use social media.

It has become an invaluable tool not only for communication & marketing but also in the field of education as well. Generally, students use social media to share & get instant quick information, reviews & solutions to their problems.

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Social media plays a very vital role in every student’s life. With its help, providing & fetching a lot of information, communicating with friends, classmates, teachers & colleagues have become an easy-fit option.

Students & teachers now get connected while making better use of this platform for gaining & providing education, respectively.

However, social media has been criticized a lot because of the effect it has on the way to students gaining & retaining information. It offers plentiful opportunities for interaction as well as learning.

There are several reasons for using internet-based media as a positive tool for children.

1. Educational Benefits of Social Media

Over many years social media has gained superior credibility as a trusted source of information & a platform where organizations can interact with their global audiences. Using social media, teachers can improve technological ability & students’ involvement in studies.

It also provides a good sense of collaboration in the classroom while making better communication skills with students.

2. Easy sharing of Information

Sharing of info, links to other sites has now become super easy for students as they share pieces of information to their friends, classmates, and other connections.

Much of the time they are connected to the internet through mobile phones, laptops, PCs, tablets, etc. for transmitting views, opinions, tips, study materials, school projects & various other kinds of useful reading stuff to each other.

With this, they exchange helpful information about their exams & classes.

3. Social Credibility

Many schools, colleges & universities have begun the facility of interconnecting with a large no. of students through the means of social media networks, for example, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

These channels can be utilized to impart & to communicate school news, educational info, make declarations, and provide students with more valuable data.

This creates involvement between the school and students, which help handle several student-related issues through the group associations.

4. Cost-effective Communication

Social media is an excellent & free medium for the end-user! It can not only be used to communicate. It is also an outstanding device/ technology to promote things such as events, new courses, and various advanced research.

It is thus be used to enhance improvement in learning.

5. Any time Connectivity

There is often someone to reply from the international community as geographical factors do not restrict most of the social networking sites.  ATC (Any time connectivity) has become possible due to the arrival of various social media websites.

You can post your question and wait for few hours to get a solution to your queries.

6. Sharing Information & Knowledge

Social media provides a platform where one can share their knowledge and gain credibility in their chosen field(s) or specialization(s). They can also acquire information and insights from others within an online community.

There are lots of causes of why social media is useful for students that can be explained all at once.

1. Web-based social networks can provide relevant information, for example, examination and bits of knowledge on different themes or analytics and insights on various topics or issues for study purposes.

2. It is vital to be dynamic in different possible social platforms a s an educational institution. This help makes better student training methodologies while shaping the culture of students.

Social media is a new media technology in education that can expand your point of view on different subjects and gives a highlight to the original content. It gives you an opportunity of engaging with specialists to find solutions on topics that you may need assistance. 

Social media has gained plausibility as a definitive source of information. Hence, it is an excellent platform where organizations can interact with their audiences in large no’s.

The main thing about utilizing social media for learning is that you soon realize who the specialists are in various fields and subjects. When you begin following these experts, you find out more and additional help from them. This enables you to deliver incredible results.

Today, many schools in India & education institutions are adapting these developments into their frameworks and depending on group assets and systems to improve the life of students.

The utilization of social media in education helps students, teachers, and parents for getting more valuable information while connecting with learning groups and other educational systems.

Social network sites & websites provide with lots of chances to improve their techniques of learning & teaching to students and schools, respectively. Through these networks, you can join social media modules or plugins that empower sharing and collaboration.

Students can benefit themselves through online tutorial exercises through YouTube. Online courses are also offered by colleges abroad through Skype and a full cluster of assets that are shared through social communities.

All above mentioned points are the benefits of social media education in schools. Going through above advantages, one can understand the importance of social networking sites in the educational field in today’s world.

Also read, Positive & Negative Effect Of Social Media On Education

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