The use of current and emerging
social media technology is clearly moving us in the education community
closer towards Tim Berners-Lee’s ideal of using the web as "an information
space through which people can communicate…by sharing their knowledge in a
pool.”
In this world of increased web-based social interaction, meeting the unique needs
of Gen Y learning styles is the bottom line. In the 21 Century classroom, the ‘always
on,’ student will control the how, what, and when a task is completed.
Gen Y students
expect interactive, engaging content and course material that motivates them to
learn through challenging pedagogy, conceptual review, and learning style
adaptation.
This approach offers Gen Y learners flexible, self-paced, customizable content available on-demand (via RSS feeds or Pipes).
Interactive and
engaging content motivates students to learn through the course materials and
apply them according to their own intrinsic needs and learning goals.
However, educators should be careful not to use social networking for the sake of using social media, rather they should keep in mind how the use of any type of technology element can support student learning--individually and as a
collective group.
Social media engages the user in the content and allows them to be included as an active participant
as they construct a learning landscape rooted in social interaction, knowledge exchange, and optimum cognitive development with their peers.