I use social media in all of my classes in one way or
another. I do believe it should have a pedagogical purpose for being in the
class when used with course content---so I don’t like when profs add it just to
add it. It should serve a purpose to reinforce the instruction. I encourage you to use social media as a
way that helps the students to better understand and relate to their course content.
My favorite teaching tool is Twitter, but here are some general ideas for a
variety of social media (see below). Most are free and many the students use
regularly anyway. I hope you may find this information useful.
You could have the students analyze mock Facebook or LinkedIn
pages (or as a small group they could even create a Facebook/LinkedIn page,
blog, or wiki for a fake/real company) to show they understand the idea of
professionalism, image construction for multiple audiences, the impact of
web-based social media, a company’s position on an issue, etc. This could be
interesting considering controversial companies like BP, for example. 
OR: Send them on a Twitter search (or have them monitor the
Tweets) to explore how/why certain celebrities or politicians or companies
Tweet certain information (why did Taylor Swift tell her followers she was
“eating homemade cupcakes, yum”) when they are fans of her MUSIC? Does it
create identification between the company/celebrity and the individual…how
could such posts/tweets be beneficial or detrimental to the image of
company/celebrity? Use Twitter with a hashtag for the class and have the class
find content that might be useful and link it with the hashtag and re-tweeting.
In my advanced public speaking course, students are required to tweet at least
3 times a week on content related to the course materials for that week.
Students in large lectures can even tweet a live stream up on a screen while
you speak to stay involved and active in the discussion. 
OR: Have the class create a wiki! This is a great tool built in
many Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Blackboard. Put the class in 3 or 4
groups and let them create a wiki with videos from youtube or vimeo while
linking it to course-specific content. I have my students select ANY topic and
they have to incorporate at least 3 chapters of content to that topic. So last
summer a group chose Police Brutality in New Orleans…and they added links to
court cases for the Danzinger Bridge case, a video of Rodney King, a link to a
speech by the Chief of Police, and blended their content with our ideas of
audience, public speaking, ethos, logos, pathos, etc. It is collaborative,
creative, and FREE. They were able to explore new, collaborative technology
while applying communication course content. They loved it and we all learned
from each group while they formally presented it to the class. 
OR: Have students create and market their own videos involving
the content of the course. They can make a PRIVATE group on an LMS or through
vimeo, youtube or through some other video-sharing services (I use YouSeeU.com)
– They collaborate, synthesize information, create, and post for the rest of
the class to view.
OR: Have students use diggo.com or livebinders.com (in groups or
individually) to put together resources and information (again, you can have
them do a formal presentation OR partner this with a wiki, blog, twitter,
linkedin, etc. option on a topic of their choice. 
OR: You can use the social media as a way to stay in touch and
be available to the students. I offer virtual office hours alongside my
traditional office hours and can be IM’d by students during this time…we also
do optional exam review sessions for extra help via IM. If you are concerned
about privacy, consider staying within the LMS or using ConnectYard. 
How to get started:
I would first explore your
institutional policy on social media. Then, I want to note that it is best to
consider what type of social media your students are comfortable with. Lastly,
consider what type you are comfortable with. Then, I would recommend you
explore issues of privacy and access. Those questions will help you determine
what type and use of social media is right for your class. If you want public
access option consider Twitter, but if you want a more private option, consider
the LMS wiki or blog features (or make a private page/restrict authors at
Blogger or Wordpress or Wikispaces). As with any assignment, share with the
students guidelines or rubrics.
I have a few of earlier entries on similar topics that you might
find helpful:
Please share any successful ideas that you have for class activities!
I wish you the best of luck!
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In the academic setting there are various application as well. It depends on how you utilize them.
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