Title

Out-of-class Communication and Personal Learning Environments via Social Media: Students’ Perceptions and Implications for Faculty Social Media Use

School/Department

School of Fine Arts and Communication

Publication Date

Winter 2017

Abstract

Social media has been a growing influence in higher education throughout the past decade (Amador & Amador, 2014; Junco, 2012). The increased use of social technologies in education also brings implications for faculty credibility in the eyes of digital natives and questions about pedagogical value. This study examines the perceptions students have of faculty who use social media in terms of both credibility and academic success. Findings indicate that, while there are risks that need to be addressed, faculty have the opportunity to have unprecedented out-of-class communication (OCC) through use of social media, and the capacity to develop Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) that are uniquely appropriate to individual learners and styles.

Keywords

Social media; Communication in higher education

Publication Title

Teaching Journalism & Mass Communication

Volume

7

Issue

1

First Page

62

Last Page

76

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