There is a consistent debate about the role of social media in the classroom. As a result, schools have been reluctant to adopt social technologies. Social media can provide so many benefits to students. When used properly as an educational tool, schools have found that social media enhances the learning environment by connecting students and teachers in new ways beyond the classroom. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media websites promote collaboration and discussion.
OnlineUniversities.com “has done some research about the pros and cons of social media in higher education, and they summarized their results in the info-graphic below. It examines which platforms work the best and the challenges schools face as they try to learn how to manage their social media presence. Some key takeaways:
- 100% of the schools studied are using some form of social media.
- They use it in the classroom, to enhance school pride, as a professional development tool for teachers, and to reach out to their immediate communities and prospective students.
- Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Columbia make the best use of social media.”
Citation: Social Media in Higher Education