The Truth Behind Social Media In Your College Classroom

How to Control Social Media Consumption

1) Check the validity of information students are finding

Even though social media is provides immediate gratification for finding information, Coleman says that information should be checked to make sure it is valid.

“Twitter and Facebook are good for current information,” she says, but “You have to be cautious and discriminatory with that information.” 

Professors also share this responsibility by directing students to the right stream of sources.

“When working the students and telling them to use social media, they should refer students to reliable resources on social media,” she says.

2) Maintain a sense of privacy and security

Coleman says that one of the challenges of having social media in the classroom is finding ways to keep the discussions secure and private.

“With the classroom, there are issues with privacy,” she says. “Discussions in class are considered private. If someone is giving their opinion in class, that’s private. Maybe they don’t want that all over the internet.”

In her article, Social Media as a Primary Source: A Coming of Age, Coleman says that one way colleges can tighten the reins on privacy in social media by “offering tips on how students should select Twitter users to “follow” and Facebook users to “friend” – with the expectation that those individuals and organizations will help students to filter trustworthy information in support of their academic needs.”

3) Prepare for future Vodka Samms

Sheets says that colleges and universities should always have strategies to protect their brand in case of a social media crisis.

“Colleges and universities should always have plans for this, realize that there could be a crisis and how to handle it,” she says. “Department heads, legal risk management staff, PR, donor relations – they should [ask], “what’s the worst thing that can happen,” and think through the experiences when a real crisis happens. Then you’ll have a response you’re going to give.”

4) Play it smart, not stupid

Colleges should consider providing students with the guidance to use their social media as marketing and networking tools. That way, students will gravitate away from using social media to unintentionally portray themselves in a negative way.

“Social media is about building influences,” says Wilson. “Watch yourself, what you post.”

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Video: Samantha Goudie reflects on her stint as Vodka Sam, and what life looks like for her now. Video: New York Daily News

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