Social Media in the Learning Process—Is It Underestimated?

This excerpt reprinted by permission from IvyPanda

When Covid-19 turned the world upside-down, technologies provided much-needed relief to students. During a year of remote education, online learning platforms proved to be excellent supplements to traditional classes. Social media gives students access to endless resources and opportunities to communicate outside the classroom.

Although many students have already returned to campus, social media platforms remain the leading source of knowledge. Take our blog IvyPanda – not only does it have a free essay database, but it also offers numerous helpful essay-writing tips. In this article, we’ve come up with the best websites you can use to boost academic performance.

📱 Social Media Types and Examples

When talking about social media platforms, the first thing that comes to mind is Facebook or Instagram. They belong to the social networks category, but many more platforms are available. Social media has developed a lot, and new formats and opportunities have been introduced. In fact, the classification of social media platforms is rapidly changing. Below is the most up-to-date list made by leading experts in the industry.

📱 Social Media and Studying—How To Combine the Two

Social media platforms can benefit your studying in various ways. In this part, we’ll look at several online tools and how to use them for educational purposes.

Social Media Platforms Teachers & Students Shouldn’t Miss

Online Collaboration Tools

Online collaboration tools allow students and professors to communicate with a simple click. To make your studies in Zoom more productive and entertaining, we recommend checking out these websites.

• Twiddla Twiddla is a whiteboard for online classes. It allows professors to demonstrate materials and make notes. Twiddla’s fun design also evokes nostalgia for school days.

• Kahoot This game-based learning platform helps teachers make tests and quizzes on their subjects.

• StudyStream StudyStream offers 24/7 virtual focus rooms for students worldwide, enabling them to make new friends and study more productively.

Websites for Research

Research is essential to writing an essay or other assignment. Most of the existing scientific articles can be found with the help of these online tools.

• Google Scholar Google Scholar gives access to many scientific papers and books. Users can also subscribe to specific authors’ updates and bookmark the works they need.

• Bright Knowledge Bright knowledge is another research database with articles on relatable topics like education, career, and mental health.

• Copyleaks Copyleaks is a top tool for every student to detect plagiarism and paraphrase texts to make them look more academic.

Online Courses and Video Lectures

Online courses are necessary for students who want to deepen their knowledge or try a new scientific field. The following platforms also facilitate communication with experts and other students.

• TedEd Ted Education is an online platform with hundreds of animated lessons to explain the most complex topics in simple words.

• Coursera Coursera has partnerships with leading universities and companies to create affordable and relevant online learning for students worldwide.

• Skillshare Skillshare is another online learning platform that focuses on the creative fields of design, animation, and fashion.

Tools for Creating Presentations and Visuals.

Visuals can make a student’s work stand out. Luckily, there are plenty of online tools with ready-made presentation templates. You can use them even if you know nothing about design!

• Canva Canva gives students all the tools to design a presentation, posters, or graphics.

• Pixelated Pixelated offers thousands of ready-made presentation templates for all possible occasions.

• Pinterest Pinterest is a well-known website with photos divided into thematic categories. They can be used both as inspiration and to illustrate your writings.

The never-ending debate about integrating social media into the educational process causes controversies. Our final thought is that online platforms can boost your academic performance if you use them wisely. Pursue new social media tools in education to become the best version of yourself!

To read the entire "Social Media in the Learning Process Guide" please visit IvyPanda.

References

1. 10 Social Media Tools Perfectly Suited for e-Learning

2. 12 Ways to Use Social Media for Education | Sprout Social

3. Using Social Media for Learning | UAGC | University of Arizona Global Campus

4. 6 Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Classroom

5. Is Social Media Good or Bad for Students? – Education Corner

6. Social Media in the Classroom: The Digital Safety Debate

7. Should social media be used in education? | Debate.org

8. Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Media in Education | Wisconsin Center for Education Research