A Back-to-School Focus on Social Media

Since the development of social media platforms in the last 10 years the general understanding of social media, both by non-users and even some users, has stalled at the first term in the phrase “social”.  Those less curious have overlooked the equally important term in the phrase, “media” and the reputation of social media has been burdened by the perception that it’s all about being social – which it is, but not as one might think.  It’s about both the on-going dialogue now made possible by social media platforms, the access to information and the growth of cloud and mobile technology. 

Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein (two really smart people with Ph.D.s who do a lot of research analyzing and decrypting social media) define social media as:

 "a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content."

While it might still sound like just an opportunity to be social, especially to those who do not participate in the conversation, it is so much more than that.  The way dialogues and technologies come together is changing how we manage information in our daily lives and even the way our brains think. Truly!  Research evidence on social media and the brain suggests a shift in how our minds work.

It stands to reason that with growing influence social media is having on our daily lives we might want to devote a certain amount of energy towards being literate in this arena just as we do in other areas of information gathering.  Because when you get right down to it, it’s about managing information - or having information literacy.

So, what’s the connection with back-to-school?  While people need to learn (sometimes the hard way) how to avoid getting caught in embarrassing Facebook pictures or inappropriate Twitter feeds, we should also be learning how social and digital media is impacting our lives and how our lives can be more productive.  This is a very large topic to undertake in just one blog post.  

Here are some tips with a back-to-school focus that will help students take advantage of these tools:

ü    Target and limit your online footprint: With hundreds of social media sites available it can be overwhelming if you engage in too many.  Focus on a couple key platforms and really target your use. Aviod “Likng” too many groups and select only those that add value to your life.  This will help reduce news, information and updates that appear in your network news feeds.

ü    News and information should come to you so you don’t have to find it. Twitter is a useful tool as it enables students keep in touch with the school, administrative staff and groups at college and even in high school now.  (e.g. Students can keep up to date on school news and events, and even on “did you know” type items like school policies.) You can also use Twitter to pose a question.  Use it to ask the school or other students a general question. Note: this can return an answer often times faster than looking it up!

ü    Know the Code: Take a moment to understand the rules and regulations around the use of social media in your school. Understand the limits and terms of information sharing and avoid violating privacy policies.

ü    Stay or Get Connected:  Social media sites can be great tools to create study groups or be in touch with class members. Note: Don’t share notes or essays through these methods. Plagiarism is always against school policy. 

ü    Information Access:  Students can take advantage of the wealth of information social and digital media can provide. Using search engine tools like Quora or Google can take any type of research to the next level and can make a difference in the grade. 

ü    Discover the Hardware and Apps:  Digital media tools are also a great way to help you get ahead.

Tools: Moblie tools like an iPad can be very handy but know first how it might fit into your study style what you might be able to access on it before you spend the $$$.  With Wifi not available throughout most campuses, laptops are much more handy than a desktop due to their ease of mobility.

Apps: (To name only a few!)

o    Evernote: A suite of software for your smartphone/tablet that enables you to take notes and archive anything you’ve missed through voice recording and photos of hand-written notes. It can help you during those times where your professor goes over things so quickly that you can’t quite catch what they wrote or said.

o    Sparky:  Sparky was developed by the website sparknotes.com. a resource you can turn to when you're in need of help understanding books, write papers, and study for tests. It’s clear and concise and gets to the point!  It’s easy to search for those last minute plot summaries when you’re on the way to class and don’t have time to stop by a computer.

o    Focus Booster is a great app that can help you organize your study time and break time. Based on a countdown, you set the timer to suit your needs: i.e., 20 minutes of study time and a five minute break, etc. Knowing a break is coming can help you stay on task.

o    Self-Control, an app for Mac users, can help get your attention away from browsing time-wasting websites. This self-set site blocker can optimize your work time by restricting your access to distractions. 

ü    Online Calendars: (e.g. Google Calendar) Most online clanedars can be easily synced to your phone, where you can access, transfer and edit important times and dates as well as your class schedule. You have no excuse not to attend class when you have a trusty calendar app in your back pocket!

ü    Google docs:  By using Google Docs, where your documents are never more than a click or two away can also help you get through group projects without disputes. Each team member can upload their work on Google docs, and other members can edit and create other work without having to physically meet during crunch time. 

ü    Soapbox and Hitsend: Looking to help crate change? These are online platforms for community based change that allows each person to have a voice and an opportunity to get their idea into the hands of key decision makers.

These are just a few great tips for students to help them manage the mountain of information they’ll encounter on a daily basis at school.  


Parents, you can do your part by getting online if you aren’t already and being a positive role model for your younger kids.  After all, they are growing up in a world where they won’t know life without social and digital media.  If they can’t use you as a role model for appropriate online etiquette and being smart about your online behaviors, then who will they follow?  Think about it.