Social media is a form of internet service used to access information globally and all over the world. Social media is a means by which youths nowadays use to access information. Social media is a means of interaction among people. These people create, share, or exchange information and ideas through virtual communication and network. The Internet is a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities interconnected networks using standardized communication such as Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok, Pinterest, Linkedin, Instagram, etc. Social media has changed the lives of students and youths in various ways. We believe that social media has negative impacts. Many people use them to dupe, do evil, steal, watch pornographic pictures, and so on. But do you know that the positive impacts of social media are much more than the negative impacts? One of them is learning. We want to discuss some positive impacts of social media on academic and professional learning.
Social media is a channel for learning.
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Gone are the days when learning takes place only in the four-wall classrooms. These days, learning takes place anywhere and anytime. A lot of social media platforms such as Google Meet, Google Classroom, Zoom, Whatsapp, YouTube, and more applications by different online learning platforms are used to impart knowledge and lessons. At times, you do not need to see your teacher or tutor physically before you receive fine lessons. You can enroll with the company offering Online lessons anywhere you are and receive lessons. It is one of the positive impacts of social media platforms or Apps. The interesting of this is that it does not cost you any dime. You can receive lessons on phones, laptops, tablets, pads, or desktops. You will just download the Apps if it is a phone, tablet, or Ipad and login in, but downloading is not necessary when you are using a laptop or a desktop. You will just log in directly to the platforms.
Social media makes learning easier and more comfortable.
Social media makes learning easier and more comfortable. Using social media is stress-free. The stress accumulated when you have to go to classes and other learning institutions will not be experienced when you study online through social media platforms. The same certificate you will receive in the physical schools will be received when you complete your courses Online. The social media platforms/apps make this a reality. The registration, enrollment, admission, course distributions, lessons, collection of results, and certificates, all will be done Online easily and successfully without the stress of visiting the school physically. Even if you want to collect your result or certificate, you receive it online. You do not need to visit the school before you can get your result.
Social media boosts the knowledge of students.
In the olden days, we only receive learning information from classrooms and physical libraries. No other channels the instruction can be got. These days, through social media, we can learn a lot online such as Google, Robots, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc. There is a lot of information we can get from each of these channels nodded for our courses. Several researchers make use of Google as their learning source because everything you need for your studies is on Google. People do not solely rely on hard copies of books these days. Different learning social media platforms and apps have been discovered boosting the knowledge and skills of learners. These platforms and Apps add value to their knowledge.
Social media allows for long teacher-learner interactions.
Social media allows for long teacher-learner interactions. No one can allow interactive and engaging learning more than social media platforms. Many learners are too shy to ask questions in the physical classrooms and some may prefer to keep quiet rather to make useful contributions. The reason is that they do not want their classmates to make jest or laugh at them. But when lessons are going on social media platforms or Apps, such as Whatsapp, Zoom, Google Meet, and a lot more, every learner will be eager to make contributions and ask questions. They believe that no one will laugh at them even if it happens; it will not affect them as such since nobody sees them physically. There was a day I met my students on the Whatsapp platform to teach a topic on the English Language. I discovered that the students who always felt shy to participate in the classroom were those who were asking questions and making effective contributions. Through this, learning was enhanced. That is the efficacy of social media on learning better.
Social media improves interesting and engaging learning.
Social media improves interesting and engaging learning. What we have been experiencing in the physical classrooms is distractions and noises even if there is no class control. If the teacher is not vigilant and sensitive, the students may hijack the class and do whatever they like. This may make the class boring and if the class is boring, the students may not actively be engaged in lessons. But when you meet the students on any of the social media platforms or Apps, they will not have the choice to listen attentively to get the right information that will benefit them in the future. Also, they will have it in mind that the tutor may identify anyone to ask a question or answer a question from him. By this, learners will be more engaged in the lessons and the class will be more interesting.
Social media allows for question-and-answer techniques.
Social media allows for multiple questions and answers. As earlier discussed, more learners ask or answer questions when learning Online than learning in physical classrooms. There are two major types of evaluation: formative and summative evaluation. Learners are more motivated to ask questions or answer questions during the lessons and after the lessons rather than learning in physical classrooms. Learning Online through social media platforms or Apps initiates a lot of contributions and interactions between teachers and learners. At times, learning in physical classrooms can entertain fears on behalf of the students.
Social media allows students to concentrate and pay attention.
Social media allows students to concentrate and pay attention. Many learners in physical classrooms lose attention and concentration most of the time. This is because they are face-to-face interactions. This cannot happen when receiving the lessons Online through social media. Close attention and concentration will be done on the side of learners to get the tutors or facilitators very carefully. For example, when you are with your teacher on Whatsapp receiving the lessons, you as a learner will also participate as the lessons go on. There is no how you will not concentrate or pay attention. You will not want to miss a step that will affect your understanding of the lessons. That is the positive impact of social media platforms or Apps.
Conclusion
We have discussed some impacts of social media platforms or Apps on learning. We can truly say that from what you have learned so far in this article, learning Online through social media platforms or Apps is a better way of learning these days. It has been also learned that there is a need for learning how to make use of each social media for the teaching and learning process. You will need to equip yourself with technology to get the benefit of it.
Editors
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