Benefits and Challenges of Using Social Media in the Classroom

Benefits

Learn new digital literacy skills
Improve knowledge retention & understanding
Increase class participation and motivate students
Build community; connect students to each and the global community
Become an effective member of an online community
Improve student writing (through writing for peers, feedback)
Learn a different style of writing
Go beyond text, e.g., images, video, design
Take classroom knowledge public
Let students show their personality
Improve student attitudes towards the course content
Digital citizenship
Global competency
Internationalizing learning in Global Classrooms where instructors and students teach and learn with peers abroad using Internet-based technologies for communication

Challenges

Instructors cannot make assumptions about students’ proficiency with social media. Student proficiency must be taken into account when designing activities. For example, they may be proficient at communicating informally, but may not fully comprehend what is required to critically assess information, engage with information and present findings in an academic environment. Other challenges include:

Lack of technology skills or support
Online abuse
Time required to monitor

There are steps that can be taken to help address some of these challenges. For instance, activities and assessments should be designed carefully, based on appropriate learning outcomes. Comments and posts on social media platforms are public. Have a discussion with your students about communication expectations, boundaries and what is not acceptable. Lastly, to help prevent online abuse, students should also be reminded that online behaviour is subject to the Student Code of Conduct. To discuss these challenges and possible solutions, as well as for ideas on supporting students’ use of critical thinking skills, instructors may wish to request a consultation with the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation.