Reasons to Use Social Media to Enhance Your Education
Students pursuing an online political science degree probably already known the benefits of internet-based apps, but they may not have considered the benefits of using social media to pursue their political interests. Social media gives political science students and other political enthusiasts new and innovative ways to engage with the world of politics.
Engage With News, Events, and Figures
Through the use of social media, anyone can gain a whole new level of interaction with politics. Twitter allows many news syndicates to tweet out important political news that can be instantly seen and accessed by subscribers. Even Congress.gov has a Twitter profile that updates followers about important events and news happening within Congress.
On Twitter, and on Facebook as well, constituents and political science students alike can find information about important political figures, receive updates about their events and activities, and in some cases even contact the politician or staff directly. Social media allows for the potential of easier access to political movers and shakers.
When, in the past, people could only access their congressmen and politicians via snail mail or by attending town hall meetings and speeches, social media now provides a faster and broader reaching means of communication and interaction with the political realm.
Share Opinions and News with Colleagues
Students earning an online political science degree can benefit not only by engaging with political figures and organizations on social media but also by engaging with other students and political enthusiasts. Sites like Facebook allow students to build groups and pages that cater to their particular political concerns and network with others who share those interests. For example, students who are interested in following the course of health care reform can easily form a group where they can share new information and have discussions about healthcare reform news.
Social media also allows political science students to broadcast their opinions and information that they find relevant to their own networks of friends and connections. It’s now easier than ever to share an important political news story or post a video of a political figure’s recent speech.
Creating Movements and Making Statements
In the course of recent politics, social media has also played an important role in the creation of political movements and campaigns. Of course politicians have tapped into this, using Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms to reach potential voters, but the people have also used these forums to send profound messages to politicians.
While political protest matches have a long tradition and are still practiced today, social media sites like Twitter have allowed millions to make their voices heard, whether they’re offering an array of opinions during a candidate debate or using a single hashtag of solidarity to protest government actions.
Politics were never intended to be a spectator sport, and government was meant to be a representation of the people. With new social media platforms, political science students and others who feel passionate about the world of politics can engage with political figures, share their opinions with a broad range of people, and network with political organizations.
