No sector of the economy can ignore the power of social media. Its popularity is rising every day, especially among young teens. Tutors and students often worry that social media platforms might be harmful to young people and take away much of their time and life. However, most teenagers log into social media every day. For this reason, tutors must adapt to their student’s lifestyles and make the most of the situation.
Currently, the methods and ways of teaching and connecting with a diverse audience are different. Although the traditional methods are still effective, it is wise to consider what learners like and take advantage of innovative and new methods to maximize their lessons.
But what methods can help students maximize to learn more? Social media can be beneficial. It has a crucial role in most students’ education. If you incorporate social media in teaching, students will be more interactive and attentive. There is a myriad of education programs on the web. You cannot deny the role of social media in education. One can use it in several ways, from sharing announcements to holding live sessions.
Below are ways to use social media for education:
Conducting Research
There is a lot of educational tools on social media. When used correctly, this space can benefit your work. For instance, you can directly contact specific users or create questionnaires for the public. You can also follow particular handles if you want authentic news. For example, Twitter and Facebook are dedicated to posting sports information. If you’re searching for sports, you can use them.
Beware that some social media users spread fake news, but if you have good media literacy, it’s easy to verify it. You can take a short media literacy course if you’re going to be a frequent social media user.
Build a community
There is a common misconception that the youth only uses social media for the latest gossip and mindless entertainment. A group of users can raise various crucial topics like climate change, eco-friendly lifestyle, equality, racism, and more.
Currently, Instagram for students, Twitter, and YouTube are the most popular sites among students. In these platforms, learners share their assignment scores, learning habits, etc. Students can always locate well-done essays via social media.
Individuals tend to share their good times and achievements on social media. You can find top colleges that offer online courses, what period a specific system will take, etc. This is a great way to build a community.
Getting Help
Are you finding a topic challenging? A lot of experts use social media daily. These forums are a classroom that you can access from any part of the world. Intelligent learners are using these websites to get help frequently.
Today, students thinking of paying a guru to complete their homework can easily find free help through social media. Seeking help is an excellent method to complete homework quickly. Centers of learning can also use social apps to enhance the education they give their learners. For instance, they can share tools like pdfs and past papers to help one do their studies. There is a considerable possibility that collaborative efforts between school-goers will be noticed in these communities.
Create a Personal Blog
Today, there are thousands of offers for digital services online. It’s almost effortless to promote your services and material. Blogging is one of the top ways. Internet users can share their opinions and thoughts.
It’s also an excellent method of educating people on specific topics. This makes it a remarkable place for teaching others.
Teachers can create a class or school blog on a site like Blogger, WordPress, Medium, or Tumblr. Students can become guest authors or offer ideas and write posts linked to their course. They can then share a series of activities for students to follow. Such a platform allows the teacher to take back power if they feel these spaces have been invasive.
Create Facebook Groups or Page for the Class
One of the ways to maximize a social media handle among students is using it for collaborative tasks in the classroom. Teachers or the leader can create a group on spaces familiar to most participants. Some of the best venues to showcase creativity are Meta and WhatsApp groups. They can have a specific purpose like studying, completing assignments, etc.
A Facebook page dedicated to education comes with a lot of perks. For instance, communication becomes effortless. All the updates and discussions can happen here. A single post is visible to everyone. Currently, Facebook live enables tutors at schools to conduct classes in groups. As long as you’re following the group, you’ll be able to use the live feed.
Below are several ways to use the forum for education: Others include:
· Using Instagram or Facebook pages for sharing photo essays and school pictures.
· Keeping up with trending topics and comments
· Get opinions, questions, and summaries
· Connect with students from other institutions
· Brainstorming
· Creating a class Wiki for interested academic parties
Social media marketing is an influential tool in education. As you’ve noticed above, there are many ways to be helpful. However, it also comes with certain disadvantages. One of the few ills of these forums is addiction. You will find certain people losing focus in class and lacking attention.
Also, a social media platform can cause a rise in interpersonal conflicts. A particular incident at school is likely to be posted even before the school authorities know about it. Someone, even a visitor, can make an anonymous post. There is also a lot of cyberbullying, even in class. Administrations should pay close attention to this and what persons share on behalf of the school or college.
However, the advantages supersede the disadvantages. Socials will continue to play a significant role in education. It has become part of our daily routine. Integrating it in teaching is apparent and natural. Because students are accustomed to this age, it makes it easier to adapt. Each website comes with a unique way to share content, and teachers should find the perfect one by considering the purpose.
About Author
Bertha Graham is an expert in education and a blogger, focusing on education, social media, and digital space. She’s a reputable writer at PapersOwl and frequently publishes initial journals, and educational blogs concentrate on improving students and tutors. Additionally, Bertha works with several educational organizations and think tanks globally.
