Contextual Analysis Rough Draft

No one would have ever thought 20 years ago that the cool new social media opportunities that were starting to make their grand debut would ever serve another purpose other than personal enjoyment and use.  Not anymore.  In recent years the numbers of professors and teachers around the globe that are starting to use social media in the classroom has been steadily growing.  With the rise in popularity of online classes it only makes sense that there would be an increase in the use of social media and other related online tools to enhance one’s education.  Teachers and professors of both online and traditional in-person classes are utilizing the amazing abilities of social media in the education arena, although according to a survey done by Babson and Pearson Learning Solutions last year showed that online instructors tend to use social media as an integrated part of their curriculum and class more than traditional instructors do.  Part of the reason is that in recent years social media has become such a normal part of most individual’s lives that it feels odd to not be incorporating it in such time consuming and important areas such as education.

Although some argue that increased use of social media in the classroom setting is disruptive and distracting, others in the academic world say that in increases communication between other students and the professor, as well as enhancing the credibility and accuracy of grading for professors, among many other positive qualities.  There are already systems in place in a lot of schools and colleges around the country that implement some form of media with social aspects; even the system Canvas at Dixie State University has the opportunity to not only see classes and grades, but provides a place for the professor to post announcements, for students to connect for the purposes of clarifying assignments or forming study groups, as well as lending a digital platform to students in order to share and discuss ideas.  Of course there is always the potential that the presence of media in the classroom can be distracting for some students, but in those cases the problem with paying attention does not usually lay solely with the media itself but with the students’ attitude towards education and its importance.  Media is a powerful tool, as well as a fun one, and definitely has its place in the academic world when utilized properly.