Does Social Media Improve Learning?

Social media has become a part of human life in this fast information technology age. In the beginning, social media was just for entertainment purposes, but now it influences how we live, how we work and learn.  Using social media such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and so on provides free access to online communication and information.

Today both social media and technology have become an important part of our lives. The education sector is also relying on social media for learning in this digital age. Every individual has an account with a popular social media network such as Facebook, snap chat, Instagram, whats app etc. After the pandemic the usage of social media platforms for learning increased because our education system has completely changed to digital platforms.

More educators are integrating the capabilities of social media into the pedagogy to engage more learners and develop the educational framework.  What if schools made use of them? Let’s check social media platforms that are helpful for students and how to use them effectively.

• Create a WhatsApp group for class : Teachers can send class notes and important portions to students through this group. Post notes to remind students about the instructions of important assignments, as well as the submission deadlines. Allow and encourage students to ask any questions they may have and help them overcome any difficulties they may have if they do not know how to tackle the assignment. And also, can share previous question papers for preparing for the upcoming exams.

• Create Zoom or Google meet Accounts :  It is more beneficial for the students if the discussion is organised on a particular topic every week. It helps in enhancing the thinking skills of the students. If the discussions are related to their lesson or any other topic of social relevance, it helps them learn more about that topic. Also, if some difficult questions are asked, students do more research on that topic and try to find the answer.

• Blogging for Homework and Assignments : Using blogging as a tool for submitting homework assignments can be great. Each student has a personal blog where they share book reviews, history research papers, and other assignments that they would normally submit in print. This is a great option because everyone can see what others have done on the subject, so a healthy competitive spirit will drive them forward.
• Pinterest for Pinning : Pinterest is a great platform for organising educational resources. When you browse and find something you can use – pin it to a board you’ve created for the relevant category. You can also use Pinterest as a search engine for educational content.

• YouTube for the Flipped Classroom : The method of learning through this video sharing platform can be very effective for students. Flipped classrooms make learning easier for students and teachers alike. Also, if students watch the material instead of writing homework, they can discuss it and do homework in class. Such a learning method requires more work, as lessons need to be recorded and videos edited. However, students can be given educational videos available on YouTube to further their learning.

Through these learning methods, the students’ learning becomes easier and they can listen and study the classes again at their convenience. Social media makes learning more fun and interesting for students. The difference it makes in student learning is huge.

Social media platforms can also offer children valuable opportunities to develop digital literacy skills and build a good digital footprint. Let’s check a few of the many  benefits  of social media.

• Effective Communication and Collaboration

Better communication is one of the biggest benefits of social media. Students can connect with anyone anytime through social media apps like WhatsApp and Messenger. They can download these apps to their smartphone, tablet or computer to learn and share information. It is also possible to make phone or video calls and thus have useful communication. If a student has a problem with his or her studies, they can always communicate with their friends or teachers through social media. It helps kids learn better by supporting document sharing through apps like Google Drive Box, Google Docs and more.

• Parental Involvement

Social media helps the parents stay involved in the child’s learning. Parents can be updated about school related activities via WhatsApp, projects and ongoing events. School teachers can contact parents if they want to share their child’s progress through Skype or other secure online platforms used by the institution. Creating a social network for parents allows them to talk to teachers and learn about student performance. Social media can have a positive impact on student performance as well as parents giving them the academic support they need at home.

• Providing Information

Social media networks are providing plenty of information that can be helpful to students. Many networks provide students with a wealth of information that can assist them in their studies and research. Educational benefits of social networking sites help students to prepare for important lessons and learn certain concepts with better efficiency. So, students get knowledge about new things from this. Social media is Wikipedia for students today. We are witnessing an era of social media learning.

• Distant Learning Opportunities

Distant learning opportunities are another big advantage of social media. There are many students nowadays who cannot attend the regular classes in educational institutions because of  many reasons. With the help of various online tools and distance learning programs, teachers are able to engage students through social media. Today, live lectures can be hosted via Skype or webinars to allow students living in remote areas of the world to access education. Now digital technology has become an integral part of our modern education system.

• Improve Communications, Literacy, and Reading Skills

Today’s generation is generally less interested in reading. However, as the internet and social media provide a lot of online information, it is seen that they are very interested in reading through such platforms. Especially if they include eye-catching animations or videos. Another way to improve communication skills is to interact with other people with social media platforms. Online messages, comments, news, articles and e-books all open up an endless world of reading. And it motivates the students to spend their time and put some extra effort into their studies.

Especially kids, when they spend time watching shows like cartoons on YouTube or other social media platforms, it helps them develop their learning and communication skills. It also helps in developing their vocabulary. Social media has grown into one of the most powerful platforms connecting all sectors. Earlier, everyone’s day started with reading the morning paper. But today, the time has come when updates are all available at the fingertips. Lifestyles are changing due to the evolution of social media. In fact, almost everyone is becoming addicted to social media in one way or the other. Above all, it is a great place to socialise with peers and friends. However, if the same thing is misused, it can be very dangerous. In this era of increasing cybercrimes, it is essential to strive to manage social media with utmost care.