Social media has its impact on various fields, and education is definitely one of them. In this article I will discuss the perks students, teachers and parents these days are benefited with.
Evolution and advancement of technology with changing times is perhaps one of those things which have ever remained constant and progressive in nature. It goes without mentioning that technology in the upcoming days shall tend to reach new heights and achievements.
But, it is also to be noted that one such major change and advancement in technology which has occurred over the past few years is the introduction and advancement of social media in the world of education of varying levels.
Talking of social media, it is perhaps the most powerful tool when it comes to communication and virtual engagements in today’s world. One can already see the presence of social media and its impact on various fields, which includes the education system as well. It is to be mentioned that the impact of social media and how it is changing the world of education is something undeniable and noteworthy.
The entire industry of education have the possibility to achieve new milestones, connect easily with people across the globe and take online education to the next level of success; all thanks to the social media advancements.
“Change is the only constant in life”
-Heraclitus, Greek Philosopher
Here are some of the examples, illustrations of facts and top 10 ways that establish the notion further and help us understand how social media is changing the education system promisingly, with beneficial impacts end of the day.
1) Taking online education to a new level of success
Online education has been helping students all across the globe with promising assistance and easy learning features. Now with the emergence and advancement of social media, things have become more favorable, as students can get to know more about the daily updates via social media campaigns and promotion of courses offered. It goes without mentioning that almost every student looking for online assistance would like to have things right at their fingertip without hassle. Social media is simply giving them this platform to connect easily via online notifications and live chat facilities.
2) Making communications between parents and teachers easier and more convenient
Social media has made communications between teachers and parents simpler than before. It is said that there are teachers, who would create their own social media page and communities online in order to stay in constant touch with the students and their parents. It’s an undeniable fact that meeting teachers personally and keeping in touch with them isn’t always possible for parents and for the teachers as well. So, here’s comes the power of social media into play. In addition to making communications between parents and teachers simpler and more effective, social media has made communication between teachers and students easier as well. In case the potential teacher wants to send across an important message during an odd hour, then he/she can simply use social media tools and messaging apps in order to send across the notification in no time.
3) Creation of a platform for interactive students
It has been seen that most of the students pursuing higher academic degrees are actively available on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Now availing the benefit of the platforms and reaching out to the professors easily to get help with online lectures and knowledge on various academic sub-disciplines related to their individual steams of study. In addition to it, interactive students are also using social media platforms in order to conduct online academic sessions, interactive quiz sessions, debates and discussion on a plethora of helpful topics and subject matters relevant to their individual academic degrees and area of study.
4) Great platform for content sharing
There are certain education institutions and streams of higher academic degrees that require enough content and informative notes for students to read and learn. Now, it is always not possible for an individual to meet his/.her friends or the academic heads in order to accumulate notes and every other relevant information. Thus, with the advancement of social media sites promoting blogs and various forums available for student interaction, gathering notes and reading through informative educational content has become easier as than ever.
5) Distant learning made easier
With the availability of various social media platforms, broadcasting information have become easier and hassle-free. For students who are distant learners, staying active on social media helps a lot. They are being able to stay connected with their course mates, interact with other students belonging to the same group of study, via online social media communities and pages that can be created these days quite easily.
6) Great platforms for schools and college administrators
School and college administrators are finding things easier with the advancement of social media. In addition to the fact that students, teachers and parents are being benefitted by social media developments, it is also to be noted that college and school administrators are generating better engagements by creating community pages, and visitor dedicated sections for them to have a better knowledge and a wider view regarding the school/college curriculum, important news and the likes.
7) Availability and expansion of digital libraries
This is yet another important and perhaps one of the most beneficial advancements to have occurred with the advancement of social media sites and various related platforms. Several researchers across the globe and students pursuing higher academic degrees are often required to come up with researched-based materials for their dissertation, case studies, coursework and the likes. Now with the availability of digital libraries and vast online directories, the researchers, and students pursuing higher degrees of academic study are absolutely benefitted by a plethora of online sources and reliable references which they can use in their work without being subjected to any kind of potential hassle.
8) Making students tech-savvy and more active than ever
There’s no debate on the topic that social media has brought a significant change in the world of education, by making things smarter and more appealing than ever. If you are to talk about the impact of social media on the world of education, it is to be mentioned that the advancement has made students more tech-savvy and smarter than ever. Students across the globe are being able to get accustomed with the functionality of various electronic gadgets like tablets, mobile phones, computers and more. Well, it is also to be noted that social media in the educational world will only be considered as a beneficial discovery until and unless students are using it unethically or for instance overusing the medium, beyond necessity.
9) Ensuring better creativity and independent space for students to showcase talent
Education is not always about academics; rather the world of education and learning is really vast. This is the reason why some of the academic institutions promote other talents in the form of creative stream of studies such as music, painting, singing and the likes. Now with the presence of social media tools and applications available these days, students from all across the globe are being able to showcase their talent via online interactions, live videos and more. This, in addition, is helping every student to come out of the box, get a broader platform to showcase their skills which they have mastered during the course of study.
10) The ease of staying updated with the latest news
Current affairs have always been an important thing to consider for every student pursuing any degree of academics. And now with the emergence of social media and live chat options for instant interaction, students can easily stay updated with the latest news and real time events occurring across the globe. The world has become simpler with easy connectivity and communication among students at a global scale.
Thus, to conclude, it is to be mentioned that social media’s role in the world of education has certainly been a welcoming one. However, students should always prioritize being responsible enough to utilize the medium in a proper way, without misusing the functionalities by any unfair means.