Social Media

Social media is the interaction among people in which they create, share or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. Social media can also be said to be a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of internet that allows the creation and exchange of user-generated contents. Social media technologies take on many different forms including:

•         Magazines (Wikipedia)

•         Internet forums (Facebook)

•         Vblogs (You Tube, You Tube Channels)

•         social blogs (blogs)

•         Podcasts

Most often the terms social Media, social networking and e-learning are used interchangeably by teachers but it is important to stress the point that these three terms are very different from one another in terms of nature and functions. Social media is the interaction among people in which they create, share or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. Social media can also be said to be a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of internet that allows the creation and exchange of user-generated contents.

Social media differ from traditional or industrial media in many ways, including quality, reach frequency, usability, immediacy, and permanence. According to Nielsen, internet users continue to spend more time with social media sites than any other type of site. At the same time, the total time spent on social media in the U.S. across PC and mobile devices increased by 37 percent to 121 billion minutes in July 2012 compared to 88 billion minutes in July 2011.

A social networking service is a platform to build social networks or social relations among people who, for example, share interests, activities, backgrounds or real-life connections. Social networking is the hottest online trend of the last few years. Not only do social media sites provide a way to keep in contact with friends, but they can also offer opportunities for professional online networking.

Social media provides an easily accessible tool for helping students to work together to create their own meaning in academic subjects, social contexts, or work environments. Social media can lead to breadth of knowledge as it is now easier than ever to know (or find out) something about almost anything in the world through connected media. Extensive use of public social media sites that support the creation, sharing and commenting of content, as well as the co-creation of content, enables learners to co-create and share their own content within their own work in teams.

Extensive use of social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc where individuals have built a personal network of trusted friends, means that they are using similar approaches to build networks of trusted colleagues (both internally and externally), as well as power team workspaces and internal communities of practice.  Social networking makes it easier than ever to keep in contact with old friends and colleagues. The professional networking site LinkedIn even allows users to request introductions to business people who are known to their contacts.

The disadvantages of using social media include distraction, pressure to conform, creating a culture of avoidance, and promoting shallowness. Social media produces momentary distraction of an isolated text message, and the way in which social media involvement provides an acceptable diversion from intellectual pursuits. Students also give the main reasons behind their 24/7 connection is a fear of not keeping up with peers or appearing “like a loser in public, thereby lowering their self-esteem. Social      media engagement supports a culture of avoidance which operates in direct        opposition to the idea that students need to take risks and fail in their academic endeavors in order to become successful innovators. Social media does promote a kind of intellectual and social shallowness that could have long-term negative consequences for learners.

The primary disadvantage of social networking is that most people do not know how to network effectively. As a result, the few benefits they get from their networking activity are not worth the time invested. The best way to avoid being disappointed in this way is to decide on a strategy for using social sites, and stick to it. For example, if you are going to use Twitter to draw attention to exciting new content on your website, then resist the temptation to waste time tweeting about unrelated topics. Stay focused on what you want to achieve and do not let yourself get distracted.

Social media can be an instruction tool. Facebook, WhatsApp, and You Tube   can be used in instruction and extending the learning behind the walls of the classroom. Unfortunately, teachers think it is unprofessional and they only use it for announcements. Social media can also act as a forum where students can start discussion, experiment with the language and have a say. Students can also ask and answer questions. Also, social media increases the level of communication between teachers and students and create another venue for learning. Teachers can send links to articles for students to read and comment on. The chat feature can act as a forum for students to discuss current events. So do not be afraid and use social media in instruction.