Social media is also available as a component of m-learning (Alexander, 2004) accessible through most modern day smartphones and tablets. Students may stay engaged with their course activities both on and off-campus. This increased learner flexibility is a key advantage of using social media in education. Along with mobile technologies this increased flexibility provides access to massive online library services both in and outwith the classroom.

The graphic on the right represents the data from ‘nearly one million students’ on their use of their smartphones during term-time (click the image to view full size at studyblue.com).

Mobile technologies in the form of ever more powerful smartphones are globally becoming the main means to access the internet and social media. In some Asian countries 90% of consumers have mobile/wireless contracts (Kitchenham, 2011). Education providers are increasingly encouraging mobile m-learning technologies in the classroom to encourage innovation, creativity, teamwork and collaboration.