Reaching Them Where They Live: Effectively Utilizing the Social Media Literacy of C-Borgs in Higher Education and Beyond

Abstract

This chapter addresses the interconnected nature of social media use in higher education and business, exploring how educators and employers should use the social media literacy of “C-borgs” as a means of not just communicating with them, but allowing them to do what they do best – consume, create, collaborate, and connect with content. The chapter presents key issues educators and employers face when working to effectively harness the social media literacy of C-borgs, including: how their social media use differs according to their “mode” (work/personal/educational), how to strategically incorporate the C-borg’s social media use into educational and business contexts, and how to utilize the C-borg’s natural inclination toward a connected, content-centric lifestyle to facilitate educational and corporate engagement. The chapter concludes by discussing several key social media strategies educators and employers can use for harnessing the creative, collaborative, and communicative power of C-borgs.