Jared Zuckerman, Blue Valley Southwest debate coach, logs into Facebook; the notification icon glares a startlingly bright shade of red that easily attracts his attention. He clicks on the BVSW Debate and Forensics page, and is taken into the world that connects social media and schoolwork. The most recent post on the page, announcing opportunities for novices wanting to debate on varsity next year, attracts the attention of more than a few students.

Zuckerman is one of the many teachers at Southwest who utilizes social media to promote project deadlines, opportunities, and reminders.

“I think we use the Facebook page more for business,” Zuckerman said. “I post results and remind kids of deadlines. They read it more than they do my emails. Twitter is more for connections, jokes, and a personal connection within the team.”

Whether it’s for team-bonding or announcements, students agree that when teachers use social media to promote, it is absolutely valuable. Sophomore Kirsty Gordon voices her approval.

“It’s beneficial because a lot of teachers will post reminders and such,” Gordon said. “[It helps with] reminders, and fun — like with Mr. Protzman on Facebook and everything — and [it’s] just helpful! There are no negatives to it.”

Although Gordon may believe there are no downsides, some teachers tend to disagree. After high school, the tables turn, and professors aren’t as adept to the newness of social media as teachers in high school are.

“In college, professors expect you to remember your assignments – at most, they’d make a note on their website with the next assignment and its due date,” math teacher Neal Doolin said. “Some professors will give you a list of all the homeworks and their due dates on the first day of class.” Professors don’t rely on Twitter or Facebook to promote assignments; they rely on the students’ own yearning for learning.

Although some students made their own “Facebook study groups”, it was not a common practice for professors to update social media to reassure students of dates and assignments.

“[There are] probably [some negatives]. The fact that not everyone has a FB or Twitter means that messages still get mixed,” Zuckerman said.

Band director Ed Protzman agrees.

“Yeah, I mean, sometimes band kids don’t know what’s going on even after I post on Facebook,” Protzman said. “Although it’s very good for updating parents, some students don’t use Facebook or Twitter and I can’t tell them update them unless it’s in class.”

Whether the teachers of Southwest apply social media to their curriculum or not is up to them. Although students favor social media, it’s a part of their teaching that is totally optional.