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Social Media and Learning

19 June 2024

By Anthony Pillier

Social Media and Learning

Social media is everywhere, especially among youth.

Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter/X are few which form part of their everyday life.

We need to understand how teachers can use it safely.

The Good Side of Social Media in Education

Learning Aids: social media will support the students to learn. They could watch videos on YouTube, join education groups and accounts that upload helpful information.

Collaboration: using social media encourages the students to collaborate effectively with others classmates: the students could create study group then discuss work or share ideas to help them gain a clear understanding of a particular subject.

Digital Skills: learners are able to gain relevant computer skills when using social media. They learn how to use online platforms and manage their presence online.

Do New Things: through platforms like Instagram and TikTok, learners can put their minds at work and do new things. They share videos of them doing certain things and telling stories, showing people how talented they are. This becomes crucial in developing critical thinking and making their communication skills polished.

The Challenges of Social Media

Diversion of concentration: The kids may have their attention diverted to studies by social media. The cause of procrastination and poor focus on work is because of much time spent online.

Mental health: Social media can damage the mental well-being of the pupils. The urge to look perfect, cyberbullying, and comparing social life with others are highly nept to trigger anxiety, depression, and disorders in self-esteem.

Privacy and Safety: Many pupils are not aware of what risks are involved with sharing their personal information online. It is, therefore, very important to teach digital safety to the child by teaching him what not to share.

Wrong Information: Another very important element within this package is that of false information in social media. Pupils need to learn how to check the information if it's true, understand, know, repeat, be in a position to share only trustworthy sources.

Tips for teachers on how pupils can use social media safely:

Teach digital good manners: Digital good behavior lessons should be integrated into the curriculum. Students have to learn responsible, safe, and positive conduct online in order to keep their privacy and to be positive on social media.

Set limits: Encourage youngsters to set time limits spent on social media and encourage regular 'time out' from screens.

Open discussion: Allow for a safe space in which pupils are encouraged to share their experiences on social media.

Provide some incentives on using social media for learning purposes— Sharing of learning content, recommendations of online courses/tools that will help in learning.

Engage Parents: Educate the parents about social media's influence, Engage them in monitoring the online activities of their children, and encourage open discussions about the use of social media.

Conclusion

Social media is part and parcel of modern life and it has a great influence on the pupils and the learning process. Understanding its benefits and challenges helps the teacher or parent guide pupils to use it safely and effectively. Responsible usage, open communication, and digital literacy should turn social media into a great learning tool, not another source of distraction and stress.

1650445644 Technology And Social Media In Education

Social media is everywhere, especially among youth.

Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter/X are few which form part of their everyday life.

We need to understand how teachers can use it safely.

The Good Side of Social Media in Education

Learning Aids: social media will support the students to learn. They could watch videos on YouTube, join education groups and accounts that upload helpful information.

Collaboration: using social media encourages the students to collaborate effectively with others classmates: the students could create study group then discuss work or share ideas to help them gain a clear understanding of a particular subject.

Digital Skills: learners are able to gain relevant computer skills when using social media. They learn how to use online platforms and manage their presence online.

Do New Things: through platforms like Instagram and TikTok, learners can put their minds at work and do new things. They share videos of them doing certain things and telling stories, showing people how talented they are. This becomes crucial in developing critical thinking and making their communication skills polished.

The Challenges of Social Media

Diversion of concentration: The kids may have their attention diverted to studies by social media. The cause of procrastination and poor focus on work is because of much time spent online.

Mental health: Social media can damage the mental well-being of the pupils. The urge to look perfect, cyberbullying, and comparing social life with others are highly nept to trigger anxiety, depression, and disorders in self-esteem.

Privacy and Safety: Many pupils are not aware of what risks are involved with sharing their personal information online. It is, therefore, very important to teach digital safety to the child by teaching him what not to share.

Wrong Information: Another very important element within this package is that of false information in social media. Pupils need to learn how to check the information if it's true, understand, know, repeat, be in a position to share only trustworthy sources.

Tips for teachers on how pupils can use social media safely:

Teach digital good manners: Digital good behavior lessons should be integrated into the curriculum. Students have to learn responsible, safe, and positive conduct online in order to keep their privacy and to be positive on social media.

Set limits: Encourage youngsters to set time limits spent on social media and encourage regular 'time out' from screens.

Open discussion: Allow for a safe space in which pupils are encouraged to share their experiences on social media.

Provide some incentives on using social media for learning purposes— Sharing of learning content, recommendations of online courses/tools that will help in learning.

Engage Parents: Educate the parents about social media's influence, Engage them in monitoring the online activities of their children, and encourage open discussions about the use of social media.

Conclusion

Social media is part and parcel of modern life and it has a great influence on the pupils and the learning process. Understanding its benefits and challenges helps the teacher or parent guide pupils to use it safely and effectively. Responsible usage, open communication, and digital literacy should turn social media into a great learning tool, not another source of distraction and stress.

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