HBCU Writers's Project
For Immediate Release
December 17, 2010
Contact Information

Tiffany Nealy
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

(BPRW) Social Media Within the Classroom

(BLACK PR WIRE/FAMU-TALLAHASSEE) – Social media has taken over the technological world. Skype, Twitter and many more programs have infiltrated our personal lives, but these applications are moving into the classroom. Skype, which is an internet application that allows the user to make voice and video calls via the internet, has been used in the classroom.

LaRae Donnellan, a Florida A&M University professor, has implemented Skype in her curriculum. “From a professor’s perspective I feel that it is important to incorporate social media because employers will demand that you know how to use social media and how to communicate effectively.” Students are used to having most of their information being at their fingertips. Being able to access work online is a great way to utilize this new technology trend. Programs such as blackboard.com allow students to access their syllabus and assignments.

Alexis Gay, a graduate student, said, “I think that being able to access my assignments online is very convenient. I think that staying current with technology is important because pretty soon everything will be operated online in some capacity.”

Some may feel that mixing these two can bring distraction to the classroom. However, many students feel that having these technologies available can bridge the gap of understanding between them and their professors.

Barrington Mizell, a senior public relations student from Miami, Fla. said, “Times are changing and technology is advancing. I feel that as a future PR practitioner, it is important for me to keep up with all the new applications out there. I think adding these programs to our curriculum would be very beneficial.”