How Social Media Is Being Leveraged In eLearning Courses

Technological innovations are constantly changing the way we live, interact with one another, and the pace at which we learn. Nowadays, we access social media platforms almost anywhere thanks to mobile devices with shortcut apps to websites. In training and/or learning pursuits (whether academic, institutional, or corporate), social media are also being leveraged to break the traditional learning curve. Despite that some people are skeptical about the practice. These new learning platforms continue to offer features that companies, educational institutions, and organizations alike can heavily rely on.

Earlier this year, elearningindustry.com said that game-based learning connected to social media is speeding up this year. They included in their list of prediction for elearning trends for 2014 that “social networking systems [will be] integrating more gamification elements as part of their functions.” As we get introduced to devices that are able to connect efficiently online, schools are now taking advantage of these technologies for a more effective learning experience for in-campus and online students.

Whether it is for designing and administering training programs and e-courses, social media can indeed be maximized as an eLearning platform; and that’s what we’re about to discuss below.

Multimedia Feature

One of the useful features of these sites is the ability to embed videos and audio podcasts instantly. Anyone can freely exchange multimedia content at ease. Experts from Let’s Get Wise noted that “videos are easier to stream now than they have ever been - at home or using a mobile device.” Educators can utilize this feature by designing engaging movie clips and audio podcasts to share ideas, administer quizzes, mount a lively picture slideshow, or disseminate courses and instructional modules.

As smart devices become the new platform for learning, we can leverage the ability to create multimedia files. The latest smartphones, like the Samsung Galaxy S5 and iPhone 5S, have built-in cameras that can take high definition photos and videos, as well as an ability to edit them while on the go. For example, as featured on O2, the Galaxy S5 sports a 16-megapixel back camera and a 2-megapixel front camera that are perfect for capturing high-quality videos and photos. It also has a built-in Selective Focus feature that allows you to blur the foreground and focus on a particular subject on a photo. This will help you in producing quality and engaging multimedia presentations in class.

Social Media Conferencing

Social media conferencing offers virtual chatting or conferencing. This has proven to be an effective means of social learning since it can influence “even the most skeptical participant in the group” to share a small amount of exposure and enthusiasm, as reiterated by Steven Boller of the Bottom-Line Performance.

The following are the highlights of social media conferencing:

• It only requires minimal work to participate in conversations. There is no need to learn about using them, as opposed to complicated training software that requires intensive training before complete adoption.
• In workforce scenarios, people can collaborate virtually, allowing some to continue their other task while on a video call.
• Through this channel, learners who are also shy to speak in front of people will not feel uncomfortable in raising their points and/or clarifying something with the lecturer.
• This feature is also accessible in smartphones and tablets, thus increasing both the teachers’ and the learners’ mobility.

Collaborative Learning Through Groups and Discussion Boards

Another intuitive feature of social media is the ability to create group pages and discussion boards that are dedicated to a particular community of learners. These groups serve as an avenue for its members to exchange ideas and/or collaborate with each other as they complete homework and class projects. They can also exchange digital files and critique each other’s work through these pages.

Excellent Feedback Response

An eLearning system will not be successful if it doesn’t have an excellent feedback response. Through comments and wall posts, social networking sites provide a back channel for learners to communicate with their instructors. Should a particular student feel that he/she is experiencing difficulty in catching up with the modules presented to them, the teacher can immediately respond to the students through this feature.

As you’ve seen, social media plays a significant role in revolutionizing the eLearning methodologies employed in the academic and training centers. Though the platform provides numerous features and opportunities to leverage, its success will still depend on the learners’ active participation and the effective implementation of the responsible institution.

Image: "#271 eLearning" by adesigna on Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0