Opportunities. Ten studies (71%) reported learner engagement as an important bene t of social media use. By stimulating interaction and learner- generated content, social media tools appeared to promote active learning. Students’ active participation in a course blog correlated with improved grades.30 In addition, the exibility of online tools allowed customization of learning to t learners’ needs.28
An advantage of social media tools over traditional teaching methods was that social media tools provided opportunities for more feedback, as reported in eight (57%) of the studies. Social media facilitated faculty and peer feedback to learners on their performance.33 Peer review of posts also overcame potential concerns that students might share inaccurate information.39
Other opportunities included enhanced collaboration (n = 5; 36%), professional
development (n = 5; 36%), career advancement/networking (n = 3; 21%), and supportive learning communities
(n = 2; 14%). In addition, social media tools were popular with learners (n = 3; 21%), particularly medical students. In four studies (29%), social media tools provided a valuable means of connecting learners to resources and activities to which their access would otherwise
be limited by geographic distance or scheduling barriers