The Use of
Social Media in ELT
WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA?
Social media comprehends a group of social networks and other
web pages at internet, which teachers can use to teach.
Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein 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.
Forms of electronic communication (as Web sites for social
networking and micro blogging) through which users create online communities to
share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (as videos).
Characteristics of
Social Media
·
Participation
·
Open
·
Conversation
·
Community
·
Connective
Types of Social Media
·
Social
network : MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Line, Path, WeChat, and etc.
·
Blogs
: blogger, wordpress, and etc.
·
Wikis
: Wikipedia
·
PodCast
: Appel iTunes
Various types of Social Media
ADVANTAGES OF USING
SOCIAL MEDIA
·
Freedom of speech.
·
Share knowledge with other people.
·
Make friends online.
·
Can be used as a diary.
·
Can be used as a portfolio, adding new work per
day or per week.
·
Independent of time or place.
·
It’s not necessary to be an expert on using
computers, this is easy to use.
·
Students are able to develop communication
skills within class using the computer.
·
It is a flexible tool which can be used for a
wide variety of applications.
·
Free of time, place or distance. Possible to
create a community of learners.
·
Anyone can edit and it is easy to use and
follow. Students can be authors, not just researchers.
·
Technology works as motivator, students like
internet.
Freedom of Speech in Social Media
Disadvantages of Using
Social Media
·
Need to keep it constantly updated otherwise you
lose potential readers.
·
Easy to start, hard to maintain.
·
All the classroom have to count with easy access
to internet.
·
Difficult to implement in rural institutions.
·
Low level of confidentially.
·
Students become easily distracted and use the
computers for other purposes.
·
Requires Internet connectivity to collaborate,
but also the possibility to print.
·
The information can be modified in a bad way by
any user.
Recent Research on How
Best to Use Social Media for Language Learning
·
Engage students in the practice of
English
Students who use social media in their courses increase
their technology and communication skills, are more creative, and are more open
to diverse ideas. hey can also master course content more efficiently.
·
Provide
more authentic input
·
Build
community
Students who use social media tend to support each other and
even act as mentors.
·
Develop
critical thinking skills
Online discussion forums can increase students’ critical
thinking skills.