Welcome

Ralph Springett, MA English, Dip Adult Teaching: lifelong learner, knowledge in areas such as student engagement, voice and experience, and the use of digital media in a learning context.

Student Engagement Through Social Media

A discussion prompt for sharing successful practice

The central questions with regard to engaging with students through social media:

Does the teaching and learning advantage overcome the risks?

How can the teaching and learning advantage be achieved despite the risks?

“A long-overdue technological revolution in education is at last under way”, says The Economist.

“Learning happens where the learners are”, say learning resource developers.

“The Millennials are coming”, says an education blogger,

“and this is where they live”.

If we agree that social media must be confronted. Do we ban it, embrace it or manage it?

Most agree that dealing with social media is inevitable.

Statistics show clear benefits

If we are to manage it then how is this done? The answer lies in understanding the risks and benefits, and sharing successful practice.

The reality is that students may not wish to be befriended by faculty any more than faculty wish to be students’ friends.

Social media is full of options. Engagement is not clear cut. Consider: cohort, privacy settings, legislative duty of care, personal safety, educational opportunities outside of curriculum, group dynamics, peer support and pressures…

So, let’s ask and share;

Under what circumstance do the risks inherent in engaging with students through social media outweigh the benefits?

What principles should educators operate under?

What rules help mitigate risk?

What actions can we take to reduce risk?