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Web generation use Facebook to Study in and out of the Classroom
More than a third (39%) of students are now using social media to collaborate in and out of the classroom, more than double the numbers recorded in 2011 (17%). The data comes from the CarringtonCrisp study, GenerationWeb, supported by the Association of Business Schools and EFMD, which examines how students use business school websites and e-media.
Andrew Crisp, author of the report said “Today’s students began with Bebo six or seven years ago. From there they moved to mySpace and now on to facebook, LinkedIn and a host of social networks around the world. Having used networks in every other part of their lives, it’s no surprise that these are now a preferred tool to support study”.
Social networking tools are also playing a growing role in student recruitment and alumni communication. For prospective students, social networks get round the marketing speak from institutions, offering authentic insights from current students and alumni about different business schools. For alumni, there is every chance that the social network is on throughout the day, on a smartphone, a tablet or a PC, making communication easier than on the alumni pages of a business school website.
The growing influence of social media is also clear from data on site usage. Nearly 90% use facebook, 42% use YouTube (double the number found in 2011) and 40% use LinkedIn, up from 16% in 2011.
Background information
The GenerationWeb study has reviewed just short of 100 business schools over six years. Research for the GenerationWeb study was carried out in March and April 2012. Undergraduate and postgraduate students from 39 nationalities took part. This year’s report focused on social media and included a special section written by Michael Thomas of blueeyeddigital, a firm specializing in social media advice, strategy and execution.
The top site in this year’s study was the Leeds University Business School site:
An Executive Summary of the full results is available to download free of charge *here*
For further details, please contact:
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7229 7373
