Social media is such a popular cultural phenomenon today that it has become a major part of just about every aspect of our lives. Our schools, however, are an institution that many critics have said has been painfully slow to adopt new technology.
Although such a strong conclusion is not well-founded, it is true that the adoption of technology by schools has often been uneven and overly time-consuming, most often due to financial considerations.
But in this regard, social media is a much different type of technology than, say, smartboards or iPads. Instead of a costly physical device that might become obsolete in a few years, many social media platforms are free to use for teachers, administrators, and students.
Many schools are launching blogs and podcasts, reaching out to students via Facebook and Twitter, and even setting up school-specific wikis.
These schools, ranging from K-12 to higher ed, are using social media for several distinct purposes: ranging from in-class use to recruitment and engagement of students.
The following infographic takes a close look at the ways schools are using social media today. There is also a section outlining successes and challenges, and even a list of the top 5 higher education institutions in social media as ranked by Student Advisor.
What pros and cons do you see with schools using social media? Do you have any examples of particularly innovative uses by universities or K-12 schools?
Nice Infographic Andrew.
Facebook always leads in college but blogging is gaining much momentum these days as I see many of my college mates taking up blogging.
They are my competition 😉
Thanks Arbaz. I agree that Facebook is a leader for the college demographic, but that’s interesting that you say blogging is increasing. I’ve read some reports that seemed to suggest the opposite: although blogs were popular a few years ago more and more young people are now content just posting on social networks instead of blogging. I never really agreed with that conclusion.
I don’t know about what reports are being published. I just know that in my college I have seen many people start their own blogs, some seriously while some of them just as a timepass.
Yeah, I think that on a large scale that is definitely more the case. It’s just that some journalists have been pushing the “blogging is dead” narrative at various times.
Thanks for sharing the Infographic here Andrew, Well most of the social media sites are used in schools from student bloggers like me to get connected with friends and other bloggers.
Thanks for your comment on my blog 🙂
You’re welcome Ehsan; glad you liked it. I think social media is a great way for students to get connected around shared interests. It’s when the administrators and school staff get involved that it really gets interesting.