Social Media And Academic Performance

So far this week we've discussed using Facebook and Fakebook in the classroom, and the idea that students should be involved in Social Media. But is there any indication that Social Media effects academic performance (we'd rather not say grades, we like students to perform better, i.e. LEARN!)?

We're glad you asked! Mastersineducation.org recently released an infographic associated with a study of 1,127 students looking for a correlation between grades and Social Media. Of the heavy users, spending more than 61 minutes a day on social media, grades were in the A's and B's. Light users of social media spent less than 31 minutes and grades were B and lower.

The percentage of students who use the different Social Media platforms were; Facebook 90%, YouTube 84%, Blogs 20%, Twitter 14%, Myspace 12%, and LinkedIn 10%.

The overall attitude of the study was implementing Social Media Sites in the classroom can encourage discussion on the material both inside and outside of the classroom. 

After all, isn't one of the major points of education to use what you learned outside the classroom! Please consider using Social Media in the classroom. If you already do, consider using more of what you're students may already be using!!