Posting, Sharing, Networking, and Connecting: Use of Social Media Content by Graduate Students

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to better understand graduate students’ use of the content shared in the social media channels of their programs and the perceived impact that their participation in these social media spaces has on the graduate students’ transformation as professionals. Seventy-seven instructional design and technology (ID&T) graduate students completed an electronic questionnaire. The results revealed that although graduate students use social media for personal purposes, they are not always followers or members of the social media spaces of their ID&T program. However, those who follow the social media of their ID&T program found tremendous benefits from the experience. These benefits range from feelings of belonging to a community of ID&T professionals, to career opportunities for networking, and cross country interactions.