USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AS A DIDACTIC RESOURCE: AN EXPERIENCE REPORT ON IMMUNOLOGY TUTORING

Abstract

Academic tutoring is essential in the academic environment as it provides students with the opportunity to review and consolidate the knowledge acquired in the classroom, while monitors develop communication and collaboration skills while fulfilling their duties. In this context, the Immunology monitoring program at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul created a profile on the Instagram platform with the aim of disseminating knowledge in new digital spaces and further enhancing communication between students and monitors. In light of this, the present study aimed to report on the results obtained from using Instagram as a complementary learning resource. This is an experiential report from the Immunology monitoring program during the academic semesters of 2023. The use of social media as a teaching tool increased visibility and engagement for the proposed monitoring activities, reaching an audience beyond the academic community. Concerning the followers of the profile, 75% identified as female and 25% as male. Regarding age range, 49% of the followers are between 18 and 24 years old. As for the region where they accessed the content, 73.61% of the followers did so in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul. Tutoring has proven to be effective in its role, by disseminating knowledge in a dynamic and differentiated manner, while also providing tutors the opportunity to develop digital communication skills.