Engaging Students through Social Media: Evidence–Based Practices for Use in Student Affairs

Praise for Engaging Students through Social Media A must–read for student affairs professionals, this book makes accessible the latest research on the promise and challenges of social media in learning contexts, and injects important new insight into the controversial debate about the future of education in the digital age. Urs Gasser, professor of practice, Harvard Law School, and executive director, Berkman Center for Internet Society, Harvard University In this beautifully explained and thoroughly accessible book, Reynol Junco guides educators and student affairs professionals so they can better understand their students seemingly ubiquitous social media activities. His evidence–based approach debunks myths, allays fears and, most important, empowers those responsible for students well–being to empower the students in their care. Sonia Livingstone, professor of social psychology, Department of Media and Communications, London School of Economics and Political Science; author of Children, Risk, and Safety Online Rey Juncos important new book provides a valuable corrective to rhetoric demonizing youth engagement with Facebook and other social networks. Armed with a wealth of research, including his own in–depth studies, Junco shows that social network services are an important locus for students identity development and an important space for student affairs professionals to understand and navigate. Ethan Zuckerman, director, Center for Civic Media, MIT and principal research scientist, MIT Media Lab This is the book student affairs practitioners and educators have been waiting for! Dr. Junco provides thoughtful evidence and practical applications to use social media in their departments student engagement plans. Ed Cabellon, director, Campus Center, Bridgewater State University

Foreword Preface Acknowledgments About the Author 1 Introduction 2 Research on Social Media 3 Social Media and Student Identity Development 4 Informal Learning Using Social Media 5 Formal Learning Using Social Media 6 Planning, Implementing, and Assessing Social Media Interventions 7 Using Social Media for Professional Development 8 The Future of Social Media in Student Affairs References Index

REYNOL JUNCO is an associate professor of education in the School of Education at Iowa State University and a fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. His primary research interest is using quantitative methods to analyze the effects of social media on youth psychosocial development, engagement, and learning.