while not traditional social media platforms, are often integrated with social networks and used for group work. Students can collaborate on documents in real time, leave comments, and track changes (Chugh & Ruhi, 2018). Moreover, LinkedIn Learning provides a platform for students to engage with professional communities and access a wealth of educational resources. Students can join groups related to their field of study, participate in discussions, and even connect with industry professionals (Cho & Lam, 2021). This not only enhances their learning experience but also prepares them for their future careers by building professional networks. Social Media as an Educational Resource Social media platforms are rich sources of educational content. YouTube, for example, is a treasure trove of instructional videos, lectures, and tutorials on virtually any subject. Educators can curate playlists of relevant videos to supplement their teaching, while students can access these resources anytime, anywhere, making learning more flexible and accessible (Chugh & Ruhi, 2018). Furthermore, platforms like Pinterest and Instagram can be used to share visual resources, such as infographics, diagrams, and images, which can help students grasp complex concepts more easily. Educators can create boards or accounts dedicated to their courses, where they can post visual content related to the curriculum (Chugh & Ruhi, 2018). These advantages can be particularly useful in fields like art, design, and architecture, where visual learning is essential. Social media is not just for current students; it also plays a significant role in lifelong learning and professional development. Platforms like LinkedIn offer opportunities for continuous learning through LinkedIn Learning, where users can take courses on various topics, earn certifications, and showcase their skills on their profiles (Cho & Lam, 2021). This is particularly valuable for higher education institutions that want to support their alumni in staying current in their fields and advancing their careers (Cho & Lam, 2021). Moreover, X and other platforms can be used for following thought leaders, participating in webinars, and joining professional communities. This ongoing engagement with learning and professional development helps individuals stay informed about the latest trends and developments in their field, making them more competitive in the job market. The Student Online Success Influencers Initiative at UJ The Student Online Success (SOS) Influencers project at UJ was first introduced in 2019 with the objective of positively enhancing the learning experiences of students. The objective was to reach Gen-Z students with educational content on the online platforms that they visit frequently. To achieve this, a group of undergraduate students who are performing well academically and are social media savvy are selected each year. A total of eight students from seven faculties and the college at UJ make up the team of influencers tasked with creating content that is shared on social media pages such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Two UJ staff members work closely with the influencers to provide guidance and support. Staff members meet with influencers weekly to discuss activities and content for each week. Influencers are guided through a list of topics and themes that they use to create content; however, they have the freedom of creativity in developing content that appeals to their peers. The content is also developed in a language and tone that other undergraduate students can relate to. Satire and humour are infused to make the content light-hearted while sharing important tips and learning skills. Official UJ SOS pages on Instagram and TikTok were created on the 26th of August 2020. The purpose of social media pages was to develop platforms to assist students online using methods that could appeal to them during the COVID-19 lockdown. The analysis below showcases the progress made on Instagram and TikTok pages. The analytics below provide information for the three months of May, June, and July 2024 for both pages. During COVID-19, TikTok was used as an information centre for COVID-19-related videos (Li, 2021, p. 261). The UJ cademic Development Centre (ADC) used influencers to develop videos and infographics with trendy sounds to engage students and make online learning fun. The first video to be posted on TikTok was on how to access the UJ SOS Module on Blackboard on the 3rd of September 2020. This video reached 2500 people, has 47 likes, and has five people sharing it. Four videos later, an exam season humorous video was posted, and it reached 108 000, with 12 100 shares, 52 comments, 339 shares, and 173 students saved it as their favourite. There were 7389 followers on TikTok at the time of writing. This highlights the growth of the UJ SOS TikTok channel over the years. Teaching Innovation for the 21st Century | Showcasing UJ Teaching Innovation Projects 2024 83
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