Using Social Media in Education: 10 Can’t-Miss Tips

Social media has revolutionized the way we connect and communicate with each other. And not just in our personal lives. Teachers and administrators have realized the potential of using social media in education.



Today, the best educators are embracing social media’s role in the classroom. But if you feel overwhelmed by the possibilities, you’re in the right place.



There are many advantages of using social media in education. Keep reading for our top tips, including lesson ideas you can steal and tools that can make your life easier.











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The benefits of social media in education





How does social media influence education?



The biggest advantage is engagement. And, as any teacher knows, engagement is key to student success. When students get involved in their learning, they learn better.



Plus, most social networking sites and resources are free! This is especially great if you’re an educator with a tight budget for materials.



Let’s go over a few more benefits of using social media in education.



Increase engagement





Normally, when we discuss “engagement,” we’re referring to likes, comments, and shares on a social media post. However, “engagement” can have a double meaning when using social media in education.



Student engagement is key to a successful classroom. When students are engaged, curious, and social in class, it shows that you are succeeding as an educator.



Social media resources can help facilitate and encourage engagement with your students.



Why? Well, when most teens are active on social media (particularly YouTube and TikTok, according to the Pew Research Center), using social media in the classroom helps you meet them where they are.



Connect students with resources from experts around the world





One of the best things to come out of social media is the ability to connect with anyone around the world. This has a benefit in the classroom, too — especially for higher education programs.



You can connect students with global resources and experts to help broaden their perspectives. Host an Instagram Live with an expert or have students connect with professionals on LinkedIn to enhance their learning experience.



Facilitate communication and collaboration between classmates





Most students are comfortable using social media to communicate. It only makes sense to bring that communication method into the classroom.



Social media can be a great way to facilitate conversations around lessons or collaborations for group projects. Think private Facebook Groups or Slack channels. Students can also build their collaborative skills with document-sharing tools like Google Docs. Groups of students can share notes and collaborate during lessons in real time.



It’s not just great for students, either. Social media can help build relationships between teachers and students, making it easier to communicate with students about classroom updates or other discussions.



Provide a platform for sharing information and ideas





Inviting, rather than resisting, social media into your classroom can have huge benefits. Use it to promote collaboration, share resources and ideas, and provide real-time feedback.



And for educators, social media can be a valuable professional development tool. You can connect with other teachers or educator communities on social media to learn new strategies or engagement methods.











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