Social media have permeated every aspect of life. An educational institution without a social media presence is missing out on a simple, effective way to enhance traditional pedagogic methods; engage with parents, students and experts; improve communication; and grow its reputation.

Let’s find out how.

Administrators

Social media are a cost-effective mechanism to engage with a large community of stakeholders. An active social media presence is a great way to ensure your institution stands out, demonstrating why you are the right choice for parents and prospective students.

An institution’s reputation is what makes it the school or college of choice. Research on an educational institution frequently begins with reading what people say about it online. It’s essential to know how your institution is perceived, actively manage your image, counter unfair or incorrect commentary and tell your story.

Social media channels showcase awards, recognitions and student achievements, and connect you with alumni, thus enhancing your institution’s reputation and encouraging students to do their best.

Social media should be an integral part of your crisis management strategy: you can quickly reach a large audience while controlling messaging, issuing regular updates, and enabling you to address and quash harmful rumours.

Using social media demonstrates openness and transparency, building parents’ and students’ trust in your institution. This is a critical step in building your reputation as a preferred choice for parents, students and educators.

Every institution has its own character, culture and values. Your social media accounts can build genuine, long-lasting relationships, promote a positive perception of your brand narrative, and accurately depict the uniqueness of your institution.

In the classroom

Remote learning, like remote working, is probably here to stay. The feeling of camaraderie that comes from campus life is diluted. Social media can help restore some of that lost experience.

There is a wealth of knowledge on the Internet that can be shared amongst the student body, supplementing traditional teaching methods, enabling students to acquire a better understanding of their subjects and widening perspectives.

Lively social media conversations promote a sense of collaboration while improving students’ ability to communicate. Better writing skills can be practiced on blogs. By encouraging discussions on social media, educators can guide students to be more discerning of facts and fallacies online, strengthening research, critical analysis and interpretation skills that are crucial to success in the knowledge economy.

Traditional textbook-based or reading-based learning can be greatly enhanced by interacting with experts worldwide who can inspire students through activities like livestream lectures or question & answer sessions.

For instructors

Educators at all levels from nursery school to university already use social media to increase their knowledge, network with peers, discover new teaching resources, and keep abreast of the latest pedagogic trends. Several social media accounts post helpful content to inspire educators with new ideas to adapt for their students.

An institution that promotes social media adoption for these purposes is perceived not just as an educator of choice but an employer of choice.

For parents

Parents take a far more active role in their children’s education than previously. When educational institutions have a well-run social media presence, parents can keep themselves informed on academic and extra-curricular activities, ask questions, raise concerns and communicate with the staff.

Making campus events accessible through social media to parents who can’t attend in person builds strong relationships and enhances trust in your institution.

Social media platforms offer privacy settings to ensure that your communications are secure and disseminated to the right audience.

For students

An educational institution exists for and because of its students. In addition to the benefits described above, there is one more that is paramount: your students’ well-being.

Young people’s perceived addiction to social media platforms can be a source of concern to parents and educators alike. By demonstrating how social media can be used positively and responsibly, you can inculcate in your students an understanding of how to use technology and how they can stay safe online.

Social media are here to stay, and in preparing young people for the future, your institution has a great opportunity to influence them for the good.