Social media has become very normal in our day-to-day lives. It has become intuitive to many of us, especially younger generations who grew up with it.
Most students in higher education are already online and consuming all kinds of (mis)information. And people are finding and sharing scientific research on social media more than ever.
Today, scholars are using academic and non-academic social media as venues for public education. Additionally, they are bringing social media into their classrooms.
This article explores how social media can be leveraged as a teaching tool. Taking a medium that students in higher education are already using makes the process more relevant to their lives.
Social media and popular education
Social media has a significant influence on the world today. Increased use of virtual platforms has seen scientific information circulating more quickly.
Making academic work more transferable to a mainstream audience is important. In particular, using social media helps to further the reach and impact of scientific ideas to more mainstream audiences.
The sheer amount of information posted online means it can be hard to figure out what is real or not. Providing more mainstream scientific content can reach social media users as a form of popular education. This encourages critical thinking and combats disinformation.
Online platforms like SciProfiles offer a space for scholars to promote their work and build community. Some also seek to build a bigger online presence to extend the reach of their work and diversify their audience.
Scholars can use their social media accounts to share their research as a forum for popular education. For instance, you could adapt slides or resources from your teaching and research program for social media.
There are also drawbacks to having a public presence (privacy concerns, increased scrutiny, copyright limitations). You’re under no obligation to join any particular site(s). Pick those that best suit your needs and goals. For instance, using a more limited or invite-only platform can mean a more private and safer space.
Social media as a teaching tool for the classroom
In addition to your public academic presence, social media can be used in a more contained way as part of the classroom. It is a valuable tool to build skills related to research, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Studies show that integrating social media into education has positive impacts on students. By using it in the curriculum, different aspects of coursework can include the use of social media.
Most courses do have an online component. In these cases, students are automatically enrolled in a course-specific webpage. However, these are often limited in functionality and not necessarily user-friendly.
So, a social media site might provide a more engaging space for student discussion. Accessing relevant educational content online and sharing their own ideas creates a mini community for your students. It can be a useful and fun way to meet students where they are at.
Ways to incorporate social media into your course
There are many different ways to include social media as part of your course. It can be time-limited and used for a certain assignment. Or, it can be used throughout the semester for general discussion.
A few suggestions are included here:
- Create an online venue (for example, a course-specific hashtag, a specific post for discussion, or within a private Facebook group) for students to post and comment on each other’s work.
- Having students create their own educational content (a short video, a slide show, etc.) to share on social media. They can use research studies from coursework. This can help target different learning styles and a more lay audience.
- Getting students to research and engage with relevant scholars and scientific communities. This can build gaps in knowledge and help them to understand the broader academic landscape.
Using SciProfiles
Finally, for those working with graduate students or in a professional educational setting, SciProfiles can be the venue for this kind of education. It is members-only, free to sign up, and brings with it plenty of relevant information.
SciProfiles offers a semi-private forum focused specifically on scientific research. Participants can discuss and engage with posted content as part of their coursework.
Depending on your discipline and context, many of the students or group members may already have a SciProfiles account. (Or, for those who aren’t, it’s easy to register.)
Leveraging social media in this way increases scientific literacy by tailoring it for different audiences. It can also enhance and expand research and teaching practices. And, in turn, this engagement empowers students to use the tools available to them in responsible ways.