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Social media in education refers to the practice of using social media platforms as a way to enhance the education of students. As computers and the internet have become more integrated into the classroom and more students have access to smartphones and tablets, there are increasing questions about the relationship among social media, academic honesty, professional boundaries, and student privacy.

Student Devices
Student use of computers as learning aids began in the early 1980s when drilling and practice programs were first developed and implemented into the classroom. Following the 1980s was a computer advancement boom that defined the 1990s and 2000s as CD-ROMS were first introduced and the internet became more user friendly. As of 2018, 95% of teenage students have access to a smartphone and 45% say they are online almost constantly. As the use of technology and social media has become more prevalent, some educators and parents argued that they were too distracting for the classroom environment. This led to many schools blocking Internet access, including access to social media sites, and even disallowing the use of cell phones to class. These policies proved to be ineffective in some cases, as students continue to bring their phones to class despite the no cell phone policy, and many even find ways to access social media sites regardless of precautions taken by school administrators.

In response to these challenges, many schools have adopted a "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) policy to school. This is a policy that allows students to bring their own internet accessing device, such as a phone or iPad, for the purpose of accessing the Internet for research and other in-class activities. While the BYOD concept was initially introduced as a way of reducing departmental technology costs, administrators and teachers are realizing other benefits from BYOD policies, such as increased student motivations and engagement and anywhere access to information.

Device Integration in the Classroom
Technology integration can be described as involving student needs rather than revolving around teacher needs. In a classroom with a whiteboard and a single computer, the learning will revolve round the teacher. With the use of technology, the learning environment can be expanded.

The use of technology in the classroom can be very positive. Technology can support and improve the learning environment. As technology is becoming more predominant in the world today, teachers believe that developing these technological skills among students can be very beneficial for entering the workforce. The technology creation of online textbooks has made tablets and laptops widely popular in the classroom. With this ability, students are able to have readily available access to this resource anywhere at any time. Laptops can be used to quickly access information in the classroom and gather knowledge. They can be used for interactive activities involving polls, note taking, recording data, and research.

The impact of using technology within classrooms can have a negative effect as well. A study shows that students who used laptops in class for nonacademic reasons had poorer class performance overall. These students spent most of their time on social media websites, online shopping, and other personal usage.

Apps and Services
The recent developments in technology have changed how and what students learn in a classroom. The internet gives students access to more resources than ever before, in terms of both research and learning tools. Students are taught to be more critical in life overall when they have to decide which sources are credible or not when doing internet research. Students can also engage in active learning by using devices to participate in their field and service learning by working with organizations outside of the classroom to solve problems and create new projects.

Students can also use their devices to access learning management systems like Blackboard and Canvas. Students are able to complete their work anywhere as long as they have internet service, which grants them more freedom outside the classroom.

Other apps have been developed that combine learning tasks with elements of social media. Quizlet is a new tool that helps students study in a new way. Quizlet allows users to create flashcard sets that are always available to study. It also takes these card sets and automatically generates practice tests and other activities to help students study, which they can share with other users. There is opposition to learning websites such as Quizlet because some people believe they make it easier for students to cheat, claiming that students can use their phone during the test to look up answers and can pass off other students work as their own.

Social Media
Use of social media has helped some educators mentor their students more effectively.

Rather than compete with, or deny access to social media sites, some schools have totally embraced them, and are using them to further students' educations.

Parents, students, and teachers are using social media to connect and communicate inside and outside the classroom. Programs like Black Board, School loop, Top Hat, and Moodle have created platforms to enhance the learning experience by increasing communication between all parties. Studies have shown that 96% of students have internet access, as well as access to at least one social media site. Teachers are moving away from the no phones at school rule, and implement them into their courses to keep students attention in class. Teachers are at risk when using these platforms, especially when communicating with students outside of the classroom. Teachers use of social media outside of the classroom is not always protected by the teachers union. Teachers are taking risks when choosing to communicate with students outside of the classroom, especially when they are private conversations through social media. Transparency is the key to communicating with students. Teachers are choosing to use Twitter as a way to talk to their students in a safe and transparent way because it is a social media site where the posts and comments are open to the public.

"How social Media is Reshaping today's education system" Lori Wade. Georgetown University Center for Social Impact Communications at the School of Continuing Studies.

"Teachers and Social Media: Rights and Responsibilities" FindLaw.

"Teachers, students and social media: Where is the line?" Lori Grisham. USA Today. Published 5:31 p.m. ET April 9, 2014 | Updated 6:54 p.m. ET April 9, 2014.