The report, The Challenges, Usage and Benefits of Social Media within High Education Institutions, used feedback from 60 respondents from across the UK from 44 higher education institutions, and uncovered several trends in current and expected future usage.

 

For instance, whilst there are limited restrictions in place at certain universities, over 90% of social media technologies, including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and blogging tools, were accessible at respondent institutions. Future usage by social media type - 47.3% of respondents confirmed an intention to adopt Twitter over the next two years; 41.8% YouTube and 41.1% social networking tools such as Facebook and MySpace. A much smaller percentage of respondents intended to adopt customised social networking tools such as Ning.com and Yammer.

 

The survey results also showed a lack of integration between content management systems and social media technologies. This research has highlighted the considerable benefits being gained from social media usage in a wide range of areas.   However, the emerging nature of these technologies, and their impact on established ways of working, raise a number of strategic questions that have yet to be addressed.

 

Many of the respondents to the survey showed a belief that social media usage would lead to better ‘Access to Information’; 61.8% of respondents identified this as undergoing ‘significant improvement’ within the next two years.

 

"This research has identified a major change in the adoption of today's Social Web and has also emphasised the importance of a Social Media strategy within institutions,” Suraj Kika, CEO of Jadu.

 

“Having a strategy at least means that Institutions can begin understanding the benefits of managing reputation, engaging in conversation and delivering pro-active communications, whilst providing the rich user experience that the social web is becoming known for delivering.”