Social media is
any digital technology that allows people to share ideas, information and thoughts via online communities and networks
. Social media provides students with multiple ways to connect virtually with others (family, friends/peers, teachers, members of interest groups, and even strangers).
What Is Social Media? Social media is a computer-based technology that facilitates the
sharing of
ideas, thoughts, and information through the building of virtual networks and communities. By design, social media is Internet-based and gives users quick electronic communication of content.
Social media plays an important role in every student's life. It is often easier and more convenient
to access information
, provide information and communicate via social media. Tutors and students can be connected to each other and can make good use of these platforms for the benefit of their learning and teaching.
- Learn new digital literacy skills.
- Improve knowledge retention & understanding.
- Increase class participation and motivate students.
- Build community; connect students to each and the global community.
- Become an effective member of an online community.
There are lots of possible reasons for students' social media usage – to
stay in touch with friends, share a funny video, keep up with news, build professional contacts
, and just generally feel ‘in the loop'.
Social Media has
many positive effects on education
including better communication, timely information, socializing online, learning, enhancing skills, making a career among others. But the same has some negative effects which include identity theft, cyber bullying, and social isolation.
- Build relationships. Social media is not just about brands connecting with their customers. …
- Share your expertise. Social media gives you an opportunity to talk about what you know and what you want to be known for. …
- Increase your visibility. …
- Educate yourself. …
- Connect anytime.
Understanding the functional building blocks of social media”, researchers provide a framework that defines social media, which includes seven functional social media building blocks:
identity, conversations, sharing, presence, relationships, reputation, and groups
.
Since it's a relatively new technology, there's little research to establish the long-term consequences,
good or bad
, of social media use. However, multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts.
Assessments of Google+ growth varied widely, because
Google first defined the service as a social network
, then later as “a social layer across all of Google's services”, allowing them to share a user's identity and interests. … At the end of 2011, Google+ had 90 million users.
- Social Media Bullying or Cyberbullying: …
- Social Media Used for Hacking: …
- Social Media Cause Security Issues: …
- Decreases Face-to-Face Communication Skills: …
- Social Media Spread Fake News Very Fast. …
- Social Media Ruin Reputation. …
- Addiction of the People to Social Media.
- Twiducate. Defined as a “walled garden,” this platform is advertised as a protected place for teachers and students to collaborate. …
- TweenTribune. …
- 30hands Learning Network. …
- Brainly. …
- ClassHook. …
- Classloom. …
- Blackboard. …
- EDU2.0.
| Pros Cons | Connect with students in other educational systems Making people feel bad about themselves | Make new friends/communicate or connect with old friends/family Cyberbullying | Get different opinions on things like surveys Hacking into profiles and posting as them |
|---|
Why is social media important? Social media is important
because it allows you to reach, nurture, and engage with your target audience — no matter their location
. When a business can use social media to connect with its audience, it can use social media to generate brand awareness, leads, sales, and revenue.
Social media can be a useful tool for businesses, bringing advantages such as engaging with your audience and boosting website traffic. However there can also be disadvantages,
including the resources required and negative feedback
.
The study found that students who spent the most time using social media had “
fewer academic behaviors
, such as completing homework and attending class, lower academic confidence and more problems affecting their school work, like lack of sleep and substance abuse.”
