Involvement of social media benefits an educational institute in terms of quality education, providing
- quality content availability,
- sound teaching methods and
- Healthy interaction between students and institution.
Social media also benefits an institution with digital marketing in order to approach potential students. However, social media presence is more oriented to uphold a sound institution management system in terms of
- faculty training,
- announcements for students,
- Keeping in touch with alumni for future references, etc.
One strong reason which could support the notion of indulgence of Social media in the education system can be the fact that the current generation of students tend to spend most of their time on social media for unproductive entertainment purposes. It is about time we used social media as a productive tool to facilitate their learning habits.
- Facebook, the most famous social media marketing platform, is equally prominent in education and quite a popular learning tool in higher education.
- Micro-blogging platforms like, Twitter, are used to make announcements and provide important notifications for students and faculty similar to a notice board.
- Blogging sites are used to deliver updates about some recent happening or incident related to a subject. It could also be used to teach students for an existing topic, related to subject.
- Professional networks like Linkedin are used to build professional contacts for future references and admissions related information from the professionals.
There are a number of ways an institution can use this free facility of social media, according to their requirements and the key aspect, which an institution is looking forward to involve with social media:
- For classroom purposes: Like mentioned above for notification and announcements, social media is a great tool to announce updates. Moreover, classroom notes or related learning material could also be shared with students using links to blog, by posting them onto social media platforms.
- For branding and advertisement: Digital marketing is an added advantage for institutes to promote them. Social media platform could be used for such purposes to improve their popularity among the people.
- For professional development: Professors and teachers can be involved in social media channels so as to allow them to explore the newest concepts and teaching methods. Moreover, faculty could be engaged with faculty outside the national boundaries to form a network.
- For general outreach: Reaching out to parents for important updates, setting connection with alumni for future references like for conducting special alumni sessions for students, guest lectures for industry exposure etc. Feedbacks can also be gathered from social media.
Social media helps in building a sound and friendly education system for both students and professors and keeps them engaged and well as informed about the activities going around. It also keeps the interest high so as to draw the full attention of its pupil.