As a student at University of Phoenix, I can confidently say that social media certainly is enhancing education in more ways than one. It’s the integrations its proving between people, teachers, and students alike. Never, would I have thought that social media would make an impact on education like the way it currently does. When we think of social media, we think of friends, family, and celebrities. Not those that teach us in the classroom; however this is something that can work with us in harmony.
As stated, I am a student at Phoenix, and we have a very large and populated page on Facebook, which is not surprising because Phoenix is the largest online university in United States. You can post on their page to leave comments, ask questions, and talk to other students. When you first meet your teachers and they introduce themselves, they tell you the ways in which you can contact them; phone, email, and private messaging are the more popular options. However, there are some teachers who actually will give you their Facebook page, and they will allow you to contact them this way, if you need to ask any questions on assignments. YouTube, is another way, while you do not contact professors this way, Phoenix makes a lot of school announcements, and tells a lot of stories about the culture of their school through this method. It’s effective, because the advertising shows you ways in which Phoenix Alumni have gone on to change the planet, and it inspires you to be the best student and person that you can be.
Unfortunately, students use Facebook to do things such as plagiarize. It is not just Phoenix but almost any University. You can post it on your wall, private message it to someone else, or post it in a forum. However, the University has strict guidelines about plagiarism, and they state they using a social network or posting your work online in any way will be subject to discipline, such as suspension and even loss of credits. That being said, the growth we are seeing with social media, in regards to student-teacher interaction will continue. Platforms such as Twitter allow teachers to talk to students in real time. This would help teachers make announcements faster, and just as effective as if they sent you a private message. It will also allow them to answer student questions privately, if they choose so.
For those thinking that social media will slow down anytime soon, they are sorely mistaken. Whether its talking to your friends, or talking to your teachers, this type of networking will only rise. There are too many platforms now; LinkedIn for example is one of the best places for professional/academic networking and will only continue to grow. Teachers and student will continue to interact, we live in the age of social media and networking, and those who do not stay current are only being left behind, and delaying the inevitable.