Social Media Use in #CriminalJustice and #Criminology Courses

• In Event: The Incorporation of Innovative Resources in the Classroom for the Enhancement of Student Learning

Abstract

Faculty and students are active on social media, and the desire to view, post, hashtag, and “like” may contribute to the learning environment both inside and outside the classroom. Technology is transforming the way students learn and communicate and instructors are beginning to enhance their teaching by incorporating social media into their lectures, as well as assignments. Moreover, scholars in various fields have argued for adapting and incorporating social media into higher education and research has begun to examine the impact of this claim (for reviews, see Davis, Deil-Amen, Rios-Aguilar, & González Canché, 2012; Tess, 2013). The current study surveys criminology and criminal justice faculty members to explore how social media is being integrated into their undergraduate and graduate courses. Questions focus on social media inside the classroom as well as outside the classroom, personal social media use, and institutional social media policies. Pedagogical implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions are made regarding future research in this area.

Authors

• Colby Lynne Valentine, Long Island University

• Emily Restivo, New York Institute of Technology