Social Media—An Impact To Our Online Reality

Making use of social media includes a variety of online opportunities. While some might just consider social media networks like Facebook and twitter to name a few as highly engaging, there are literally numerous social media hubs that house significant teaching and learning possibilities for on-line learning as well.

Social media allows a paradigm shift in the teaching and learning space. This platform allows a teacher to freely move from an expert position to the  “shared expertise category.” This means many players may be allowed access to the expert category instead of one person.

Social media can be offered in various forms. Let's look at some of them.

YouTube as well as other similar video sites provide a perfect example of various ways of providing teaching and learning. The instructor can make lessons fun and exciting through video clips as well as challenge the curious minds of learners by creating visual concepts they’ve never experienced.

Further one can use web 2.0 sites like Blog sites to enable interactive exchanges between the blog owner and the viewer. Or add online forums to have your specific voice heard in the community of bloggers. This can also be done through podcasting where audio streams allow visitors to hear personal messages and thoughts from the podcaster. I cannot emphasize enough the number of new social media platforms that are being introduced in the online space everyday. There are plenty to choose from.