Viral Wisdom: How Social Media Can Enhance Classroom Learning

With the rise of social media, it is increasingly common to hear students say, “I learned this on TikTok!” This interactive session will explore ways that educators can leverage social media platforms to invigorate classroom instruction and challenge students to build digital literacy skills. Using social media content about general life skills (e.g., finance, careers, health) as examples, including sharing findings from our recent study on financial advice on TikTok, we will illuminate strengths and pitfalls for learners. We will discuss broader research and best practices on social media and youth and how teachers can incorporate these platforms to revitalize their classroom practice. Join us to gain a more nuanced understanding of social media’s potential as an educational tool and learn specific strategies for how to bring these approaches to your classroom.