Running head: SOCIAL MEDIA IN EDUCATION 1

Social Media in Education:

The Use of Social Media in the Classroom Benefits Students Education

Megan Sunderman

New York Institute of Technology

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Synopsis

Social media in education refers to the practice of using social media platforms as a way to

enhance student’s education. Social media empowers students to access information, share

information, and build a sense of community by collaborating with others. This article is about

how the use of social media in the classroom benefits student’s education.

Keywords: social media, education, benefits

Educational Objective

The educational objective of this case study is to educate and inform educators how the use of

social media in the classroom benefits students education, by differentiating for a variety of

learners, increasing student collaboration, increasing student engagement in their learning, etc.

Discussion

Social media is defined as forms of electronic communication through which users create online

communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos)

(“Social Media”, 2018). Social media in education refers to the practice of using social media

platforms as a way to enhance student’s education. The use of social media within the classroom

benefits student’s education in multiple ways.

According to the article “A Review on Use of Social Media in teaching and Learning” “Today’s

students can be described as ‘members of the Internet generation’ or natives of digital era’. They

were born in the digital age and interacted with digital technology from an early age” Using

social media in the classroom can lead to improvements in the learning process of students

through a better process of communication, interaction and cooperation on the social network

(Mutalib, Halim, & Yahaya). According to the article “Online Social Media Applications for

Constructivism and Observational Learning”, “Social media includes collaborative platforms

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such as wikis, blogs, and discussion boards, in which can be used to form virtual communities.

Social media is communication and collaboration tools found in varied educational areas”

(Mbati). Social media increases student collaboration, as well as, student participation. Educators

can use social media to help students not only connect and collaborate with others, but enhanced

student’s relationships, teacher-student relationships. The use of social media gives socially

anxious or introverted students a comfortable way to interact with their classmates.

According to the article, Advantages of using Social Media for Students in Education by Bruce

Hopkins, social media can increase student collaboration, in which can then lead to higher

retention rates as students become more connected to their school. Educators can use social

media as a way to get students to participate in the classroom. Educators can ask questions on

social media and students can answer those questions, in which allows for the educator to then

find the students answers, as well as, it allows for students to see what other students answer and

this then allows them to create a dialogue. Social media can also be used for team projects.

Social media sites allow students to hold meetings in real time and work together on their

projects and spend time working together. Social media can provide a richer experience for

resources. Videos, pictures, websites, tutorials, etc. can be shared easily with the entire class

(Hopkins, 2017).

There are many social media platforms that can be used within the classroom, such as

Wiki/Blog, this can be used to help students develop research projects. This platform can also be

used as a presentation tool. Facebook can be used to connect with classmates, discover what is

going on in the world, and it can be used as way for students to share and express what matters to

them. YouTube can be used to discover and watch, as well as, share created videos. It provides a

forum for people to connect, inform, and inspire others. YouTube can be used for students to
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share their work with others. Twitter can be used as an alternative communication tool for

connecting with classmates, and others around the world. These tools can be used to engage

students in their learning, as a way for direct communication, receive live feedback, and, as a

way, to build collaboration (Mutalib, Halim, & Yahaya).

Social media in education helps build teacher-student relationships by Social media can be used

to share school news, online meeting.

The use of social media has made it easier and faster for students to interact with peers and/or

teachers about class-related topics. When students become engaged in their own learning,

education will be successful through effective collaboration between educators and students.

Social media enhances the classroom and students learning.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Social media in education refers to the practice of using social media platforms as a way to

enhance student’s education. Social media empowers students to access information, share

information, and build a sense of community by collaborating with others. According to the

article “What Are the Advantages of Social Media to Students?”, “By using technology in

classrooms, the young generation is paving a new way of education and learning. Students are

getting to explore and experience the world not only by books and assignments; but also by

adapting a new form of communication”. Social media allows for students to share their views,

opinions, tips, projects, study material, etc. Students share helpful information for classes with

each other. Using social media enhances students’ abilities to access, evaluate, maintain, and

share information (2013). Social media has the role to empower parents, students, and teachers to

use social media as way of sharing information and building a community. The use of social

media in the classroom benefits student’s education, by differentiating for a variety of learners,
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increasing student collaboration, and increasing student engagement in their learning. The use of

social media within the classroom benefits student’s education in multiple ways. Using social

media in the classroom enhances students learning, as well as, it helps prepare them for their

future.
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Appendices

References

Hopkins, B. (2017, November 23). Advantages of Using Social Media For Students in

Education. Retrieved from Academia Apps: https://www.academiaapps.com/advantages-

social-media-education/

Mbati, L. (n.d.). Online Social Media Applications for Constructivism and Observational

Learning. Retrieved from https://nyitonline.nyit.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2484756-dt-

content-rid-8071711_2/courses/EDIT-663-F-2018SU-X2-0002XL/Online Social Media

Applications for Constructivism and Observational Learning.pdf

Mutalib, M. A., Halim, N. A., & Yahaya, N. (n.d.). A Review on Use of Social Media in

Teaching and Learning. Retrieved from https://nyitonline.nyit.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-

2484773-dt-content-rid-8071725_2/courses/EDIT-663-F-2018SU-X2-0002XL/A Review

on Use of Social Media in Teaching and Learning.pdf

Social Media. (2018, July 28). Retrieved from https://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/social media

What Are the Advantages of Social Media to Students? (2013, August 15). Retrieved from

https://www.hudsongrp.com/blog/what-are-the-advantages-of-social-media-to-students