If there is a "secret sauce" for using social media to increase student engagement, it's staring back at us in the mirror. Student Affairs professionals have worked earnestly for decades to increase, foster, and contribute to student engagement. Having access to the latest (and greatest) communications tools gives us the capability to further the reach of our endeavors. Social media add to our toolkits in educationally relevant ways as long as we are purposeful and strategic about its use. We have communications channels like social media and mobile devices that enable us to connect with our students. Can social media increase and/or contribute to student engagement? Absolutely. However, this only occurs if you are at the helm and actively using the tools in ways that contribute to educationally purposeful activities.
http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/student-affairs-and-technology/social-media-increases-student-engagement
