“Social media used for educational networking helps to connect learners in exciting ways and therefore should be considered as a vital part of the DLE” (ETL 523 module 4.2: Social, cultural & global perspectives)

 

As Papert (1980, as cited in Watters, 2013) predicted, computers have entered the private worlds of children everywhere. The seemingly endless accessibility to knowledge is shaping our attitudes, ideas and relationships on a global scale. Our digital environment offers the chance to communicate, interact, share content and collaborate, utilising websites and applications collectively known as social media (Wigmore, 2021). Allowing social media into the educational process opens students up to a global community, provides opportunities to develop PLNs through new connections and fosters collaborative networks to benefit student learning. Acknowledging “Students are using various online tools to cater to different requirements. It will not be wrong to say that social media and education goes hand in hand in the modern world” (Willbold, 2019) how can educators and educational institutions harness social media to benefit learning, why should social media be considered as vital in a schools’ DLE?

 

1. Better communication. A student can connect with anyone at any point in time via Kids Messenger or WhatsApp. They can use such platforms via their smartphone, tablet or computer, and learners can exchange questions, make phone calls or video calls. If a student is stuck with their homework, they can always communicate with their friends or tutors. They don’t need to wait and meet the educator physically. Social media promotes learning by offering support with sharing documents as well such as via Google Drive Box, Google Docs (Willbold, 2019).

 

2. Connecting with experts on topics via social media. Dlamini (2019), supported by Wright (2011, as cited in Shareski, 2011), notes that within a successful DLE the educator’s role is to show the students how to learn and the students benefit from learning the content from experts online. Social media websites contain the latest data and students have the opportunity to learn relevant and current content. Websites, social media networks, news feeds provide information that can be helpful to students and sites, such as Tumblr and Pinterest, can offer inspiration for school projects or practical problem-solving (Willbold, 2019).

 

3. Helping in the research process. McIntosh (2010) expands on Dlamini’s (2019) notion when discussing the seven spaces of technology. He adds the new realm of ‘data’ to the original list devised by Locke (2007) arguing that data can be used to create new stories in schools. Social media would be an effective tool to gather this real time data.

 

4. Learners can build social credibility. Online platforms can be used to start sharing work while a student is still in the learning space and thus beginning the awareness of and then building their own positive ‘brand’ (Dlamini, 2019). Interestingly, statistics show that 96% of the students who have internet access are using at social networks, and a lot of them are actually using them to promote a lot of positive and useful activities, promoting a success story or collaborating on international projects (Wade, n.d.).

 

5. A Stronger and empowered community through social media. Parents, students and educators are using new ways of sharing information thus building strong community ties. Dlamini (2019) points out that educational institutions are able to communicate with students via YouTube and Facebook promoting connectedness, building engagement and with the sharing of supportive and positive posts, modelling the notion of creating a constructive, quality digital presence. School administrations can find new ways to integrate social media, like sharing school news via social networks, holding online meetings with parents or even starting fundraising for different projects. Social media can quickly become a main channel of communication, improving parental involvement in their child’s learning (and helping in some instances to ‘fit in’ to the lifestyles of busy parents). School educators can share with parents their child’s academic and personal progress via secure online platforms used by their educational institution. The positive impact of this is that parents can then offer better informed academic support at home. This Willbold (2019) argues can lead to social networks for parents bring created too via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, which can enable them to be informed about school matters, learning, and education. During the COVID19 pandemic social media has proven invaluable in supporting/maintaining these school community connections.

 

6. Distance Learning opportunities. Willbold (2019) points to the various online tools along with social media that support distance learning programs. Those students living in remote areas and those not able to access education through the ‘traditional’ means now have the opportunity to participate. Tools such as Skype, webinars via WebinarJam, Microsoft Teams, Zoom etc are becoming part of the educators’ toolkit and are more frequently being seen to supplement classroom learning.

 

7. A tool to develop students’ voices. Using social media with students allows teachable moments of “compassion communication” (Daniels, 2021), the teaching of open, honest, and kind communication with peers.

 

8. Improved literacy, communication, and reading skills. Willbold (2019) argues the point that the internet and social media provide plenty of online information which often students are more inclined to read, especially with the inclusion of eye-catching animations. Online messages, comments, news, articles, and books motivate students to put extra effort and time towards their learning. These online activities contribute to the child’s general learning, no doubt supporting the development of stronger reading habits.

 

Relojo-Howell (2020) makes the valid point that schools have different policies when it comes to adopting social media. Thus, what it looks like at one educational institution, may be very different to the next. Regardless, it is important to provide professional development to ensure teaching staff are able to introduce appropriate social media in an educational setting with success. The State of Technology in Education Report 2021 conducted by Promethean found that only 2% of the educators canvassed agreed that they receive full training and support for tech use in the classroom. Educators should not just be well informed and have their institution’s support but should face their own personal ‘fears’ and reluctance to embrace social media in the classroom, “Only by being open-minded and using the technology themselves will they be able to really reach out to students.” (Wade, n.d.). As Dawson (n.d., as cited in Wade, n.d.) states “We live in a digital ecosystem, and it is vital that educational institutions adapt”. Educational institutions themselves need to be active in many social platforms in order to create better student training strategies and shape student culture (Dlamini, 2019). Wade (n.d.) points out that there is a trend showing schools moving away from blaming social media for the lack of attention of students in class, rather beginning to harness the benefits in order to provide relevant learning spaces for their students.

The NSW Department of Education’s Social Media Policy (2020) attempts to draw clear lines between ‘School Official Use’, ‘Professional Use’ and ‘Personal Use’ of social media use by staff. Whilst recognising that social media “can be a powerful tool to facilitate and enhance communication and learning, as well as build connected communities.” (NSW Department of Education, 2020, p.1) there is a suggestion that use can be compartmentalised and controlled in order to promote best and safe practice. This is in turn what educators are expecting their students to do, to leave the socialising aspect of social media behind once they enter school and harness the educational benefits that social media offers their learning.

Of course, the debate regarding social media benefits for the classroom does not end there. It is not just an aim for balance between learning and socialising that educators must address with their students but possibly the bigger issue of finding a balance between the importance of innovative technology and safety of the students (Huffington post, 2017). This discussion is not within the scope of this blog post, needless to say safety of students is paramount, which comes with explicit teaching, awareness and carefully realised/managed DLEs.

 

References:

Daniels, L. (2021). 10 Social media sites for education. Teachthought. https://www.teachthought.com/technology/10-different-social-media-sites-for-education/

Dlamini, K. (2019). The role of social media in education. London College of International Business Studies. https://www.lcibs.co.uk/the-role-of-social-media-in-education/

NSW Department of Education. (2020, August). Social media policy implementation procedures. https://policies.education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/social-media-policy?type=history

Promethean. (2021). State of technology in education report 2021. https://www.prometheanworld.com/au/

Relojo-Howell, D. (2020, July 12). How can social media help education? Psychreg. https://www.psychreg.org/social-media-education/

Social networking in schools: Educators debate the merits of technologies in classrooms. (2017, December 6). Huffington Post.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/27/social-networking-schools_n_840911.html

Wade, L. (n.d.) How social media is reshaping today’s education system. Center for Social Impact Communication, Georgetown University. http://csic.georgetown.edu/magazine/social-media-reshaping-todays-education-system/

Watters, A. (2013, October 3). Students are “hacking” their school-issued iPads: Good for them, The Atlantic Online News. http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/10/students-are-hacking-their-school-issued-ipads-good-for-them/280196/%20

Wigmore, I. (n.d.). Social media. TechTarget. https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/social-media

Willbold, M. (2019, April 27). Social media in education: Can they improve the learning? ELearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/social-media-in-education-improve-learning