The Impact of Social Media: Teacher pack (January 2018)

Abstract

This pack builds upon the highly successful major research project, UCL Why We Post (www.ucl.ac.uk/why-we-post) which focuses on the uses and consequences of social media. It specifically aims to engage teachers and students using a range of relevant contemporary social research activities. The activities are designed to support the knowledge and skills required for the OCR A Level Sociology course in interesting new ways. In particular these activities seek to address the gap between learning about social research through textbooks, notes and teacher led pedagogy rather than learning about real research experience first-hand. This project also draws on the topic of social media which is both highly topical and relevant to students’ own lives and is therefore accessible and familiar. The research based activities culminate in a knowledge exchange between students based in Hong Kong and the UK, facilitated and funded by The University of Hong Kong.

This project specifically supports particular areas of the specification (Component 3a), however there are clear links to other themes and issues within the A level course (see the links to the specification on pX) This project provides opportunities for a range of differentiated teaching and learning styles thus suits students from a range of backgrounds, abilities and aptitudes.

Furthermore, the project furnishes students with the skills to think reflectively about their own use of social media in a global context. Finally it provides students with opportunities for learning how to be autonomous learners and develop the kinds of skills which are undoubtedly useful for employment and university as well as developing effective interpersonal skills.

MORE INFORMATION: http://sociology.hku.hk/impact-social-media