SOCIAL MEDIA AS A PEDAGOGICAL TOOL: a systematic literature review on its potentialities

Abstract

Social media is becoming an increasingly important tool in everyday life. More than just a distraction, social networks, when used appropriately, can be useful in aiding classroom work. This study examined the effectiveness of using social media (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram) in education and its potential as a pedagogical tool in knowledge construction. A Systematic Literature Review was conducted with the following inclusion criteria: i) type of study: empirical and/or literature review; ii) publication year: 2017 to 2021; iii) language: publications in English or Portuguese. The searches resulted in 129 publications, of which 44 were analyzed. It was identified that the most commonly used social networks in the educational context are Instagram and WhatsApp. These are primarily used in higher education, followed by secondary education. Teachers use these networks to share experiences, assessments, and learning materials. It was noted that social media is used as a resource for active methodologies, such as case studies. It is concluded that social media has great educational potential, serving as spaces for communication and interaction that transcend time and space.