Learning |
Communication |
Other |
Interactive learning process that encourages innovation |
Students are used to communicating through apps |
It is a bridge between learning and work |
Improves the quality of learning and improves the grades students get |
Provides a platform for shy people to express themselves and boosts their confidence as they get better “heard” when communicating through social media |
Can be used to create a portfolio with pictures (cv etc) and video through multi media |
Keeps students motivated to learn as they get continuous feedback and support |
Receives continuous feedback, support and encouragement |
Easy and fast to use |
Makes learning transparent and easier to recognize |
Students learning is more transparent and they get better recognized throughout the mentoring process |
Here are some possible obstacles and how students can overcome them:
Obstacle |
Solution |
Lack of proper/professional language |
We need to teach/demonstrate the correct etiquette and behavior when using social media in mentoring and all parties must agree to follow the correct etiquette and behaviour. Ground rules and protocols need to be agreed from the start. |
I have to be available 24 hours a day/7 days a week |
Before the placement, all parties should agree on the timeframes for when to respond to messages and what the working hours of the different parties are. Office hours should be respected Encourage regular use so that using social media becomes a natural part of your workday. |
We don’t have the needed equipment (smartphone, tablet, computer!) |
If an education provider decides to use social media for mentoring it is in the providers interest to lend equipment and train the work mentor/student to use it. Use Apps that can be used by both smartphones and computers in case one party only has one option |
We don’t think using social media is safe! |
The use of social media is never safe and this is why there must be clear guidelines on what to post. A contract/code of practice on how to use social media should be created Provide training on do’s and dont’s |
The “social media can’t be used at the workplace”-attitude |
If you demonstrate how it can be used successfully people are likely to change their negative attitude to a more positive one Make an agreement for where and when social media/apps can be used (eg. Coffee breaks) |
The student will post e.g. pictures and company secrets online |
Before the beginning of the work placement a code of practice about what can and what can’t be posted should be agreed on |
We’re not allowed to us social media because of company communication rules |
Sit down with the employer and see if exceptions can be made to this rule and agree on when, where and in what situations social media can be used Describe why it might be beneficial to update the communication rules |
What if you loose your phone, the battery is low, phone is stolen or you don’t have wifi |
By using social media the content is backed up on the cloud and therefore not really lost and you can access it when you have access to a phone/computer/wifi again |