Canadian Teaching and Learning Centres on Facebook and Twitter: An Exploration Through Social Media

Abstract

Teaching and Learning Centres (TLCs) play a role in the professional development of faculty, staff and teaching assistants in higher education institutions. One of the functions of many TLCs is that of outreach, not only to the individuals within their institutions who are their primary clientele but also to the greater higher education community. This paper presents an introductory review of Canadian TLCs’ use of social media, seeking to address questions regarding the extent to which Canadian TLCs use social media and the ways in which these are used. Based on frequency of accounts, and on the content of posts in these accounts, the authors found that social media are used by nearly half of all Canadian TLCs to a wide range of purposes. Areas for further inquiry are suggested.