Have you not started using social media
in teaching yet?

Why is social media worth a careful look as a tool for teaching and learning? Has it reached a superstar status that deserves the attention of every educator?

We Are Social Ltd, in their Digital in 2017 study, reports that as of January 2017, there are 60 million active social media users in the Philippines, who are online on an average of more than four hours a day using a variety of devices. Out of this number, almost 50% are between 13 to 24 years old. To appreciate the huge following of social media in the country, 60 million is almost the population of Italy. With affordable mobile devices and cheap data bundles, this number is expected to grow in the coming years.

Incorporating social media in the classroom
Social media is so pervasive among many young people that it is no surprise to find them constantly glued to their mobile devices. It is the first thing they check in the morning, and the last thing they part with at night. Food, clothes, places – name it – everything has to be “Instagrammable”. If something new sparks their interest, they look for it on YouTube. And of course, who can deny the pleasure they get from the likes, hearts, and shares their posts generate on Facebook or Twitter? So if you are wondering where most of your students hang out online, wonder no more! They are in social media. A place where they can talk freely about virtually anything, exchange views and information, and share their opinions, activities and aspirations to the world.

For these reasons, every teacher should begin exploring how social media can be used as an effective teaching and learning tool. If you’re new with the whole idea, there are a few reminders you need to keep in mind.

1. Adhere to age restriction rules set by social media networks. The most common social media sites, like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc., do not allow anyone younger than 13 years old to create an account. For a full guide on the age limits of social media platforms, you can check out this infographic from Digital Parenting Coach.

2. Check your school’s policy in using social media as a teaching-learning tool. Make sure you adhere to it to avoid issues with parents and school administrators.

3. If your school has no existing policy, seek the approval of your school administrator. Write a letter describing in detail how you will use social media, and which set of students will use it. Secure a copy of the approval, and keep a copy for your reference.

5. Match your learning objectives with the right form of social media. Once you have covered the basics, take time to understand how your students use a specific social media channel through “social listening”. Social listening is monitoring the conversations of your students in the digital world. Knowing which channel (e.g. Facebook, Twitter) students use most frequently and what types of conversations or interactions they have, you would be able to match your objectives with the way students use that channel.

6. Set social media guidelines. When are students allowed to use social media in school grounds? What types of posts are allowed? Discuss these guidelines to your students and make sure you monitor adherence.

7. Keep back-up copies of your students’ materials. Remember, social media platforms that are “free” are really leased. It’s like a rented house. The owners can end your contract or renovate the house at any time. It’s the same with these “free” social media. Facebook or YouTube can change its rules without further notice. You do not have control of how far your students’ posts will go and how long it will stay up in the air.

8. Remember social listening? This should be part of your maintenance checklist. Some students just have the propensity to bash teachers and bully other students online. You have to be constantly on the watch for any signs of this toxic behavior. You must be ready to handle it.


Social media as a learning tool
There is a wealth of opportunity in using social media, and many teachers have taken advantage of that opportunity in one way or the other. Some teachers create groups in Facebook and upload slide presentations for their students to access – at any time, at any place. Students say this saves them time, because they don’t have to take notes during class.

Other teachers use YouTube and its video editing tools to allow students to create captivating videos to integrate or apply their learning—from video resumés to science experiments. For ideas on how to integrate various social media platforms in lessons, here is an infographic from Teach Thought.

Over the last couple of years, social media has become an ever-present part of students’ daily lives. Instead of discouraging it, take advantage of it and create a teaching-learning experience that is more interactive, engaging and fun.