Communication, Education and Social Media

Abstract

The Track 15 Communication, Education and Social Media focuses on the uses of digital and social media in educational contexts, as well as experiences in which these media are seen as a tool to analyse and change society or, in the other direction, experiences in which the possibilities and risks of social media that shape the communication paradigm are analysed. The discussions are based on the idea that there is a scientific consensus that Internet, digital media and social media have changed completely the paradigm in Communication and Education research. But we know the revolution is far from completed. In fact, the scenario keeps changing day by day, what makes new challenges arose constantly. This comes with new risks that have to be, first understood and then faced accordingly, but at the same time it makes this field so rich and interesting. In this context, studies about the use of social media and its effects in education, communication and political or social events become relevant. This fact is evident in those projects trying to understand the way social networks and digital media work. The potential of these new phenomena is still unknown, but the need of education in order to comprehend it, use it properly and exploit all its possibilities is certain. The issues related with education and diffusion present some of the most challenging and urgent aspects in connection with communication and social media. Learning how to take advantage of these new forms of communication as a way to analyse societies or to educate its members (both children and adults) constitutes one of the possibilities with greatest potential in the new media scenario. Using new communication practices, technologies or narratives becomes a very useful tool in order to promote positive values or behaviours in societies.