What social media platforms are beneficial in education?

As social media expands, the mechanisms that it can be used are also growing, which affords many benefits to education. One benefit can be seen through the various ways of delivery for education. As we know that education is no longer simply pen, paper, and textbooks, we now have the ability to learn a crash course on a topic through a quick TikTok made by a teacher in a related field. Additionally, these various methods of delivery can benefit varying types of learners, allowing them to learn in a way that is suitable for their strengths and deficits. For instance, Veletsianos (2010) explains the use of wikis and how these can be an easy way for multiple teachers to create a web page for students, where they can all interact in small groups. This can be great for students who are not as willing to share in class, as they may be more inclined to have their voices heard in an online setting. I would say that some of the most beneficial platforms for education include YouTube, and Khan Academy, where learners can be taught through online videos and interactions, as well as the use of wikis, as spoken about by Veletsianos (2010).

When working with the vulnerable sector, how does social media fit into professionalism and regulations?

Similar to conversations in the past regarding digital footprint and the way you are presenting yourself online, social media also tries to protect those who may be vulnerable to the dangers of social media. For instance, many apps have age restrictions to ensure that any mature content is not accessed by minors. Additionally, there are also applications that parents can restrict their children from having access to or limit the amount of screen time that these apps are used for. These are just some of the ways that social media can regulate its usage by those who may be vulnerable.

References

Veletsianos, G. (2010). Emerging technologies in distance education. AU Press.