If you thought content creation on campus is for students only, think again. These professors are turning their college experience into mini vlogs, tips and tricks, sharing their side of life in academia. Ahead of Teacher’s Day, they speak to us about dealing with Gen Z, social media and respect.‘Helps understand students better’For many teachers, social media is offering new insights into student behaviour beyond academia. Rajnandani Yadav, assistant professor at a private university in Noida, shares, “It has helped me understand students’ interests, communication styles and the changing digital environment they are part of. I have interacted with students who are actively creating content. They often ask what opportunities, exposure and growth they can get by entering this field.”
From aesthetics to humour, professors carve their social media niche (Pics: @dr.drishti_kalra, @prasoliterature)
Taruna Tokas, assistant professor at Delhi University, agrees, saying, “Seeing students in a classroom is very different from understanding them as individuals. That has been a very interesting learning experience for me because you don’t necessarily have to write a research paper every time you want to understand something. Social media can teach you a great deal simply by listening to what people are saying. For me, it has given me a better sense of what students expect from their educators and the larger learning system.”When profs break the ‘serious’ stereotypeSonal Chauhan, assistant professor of English at Delhi University, was inspired by a chef who shared a day in their life. “The way I found myself interested in knowing what a chef’s day looks like, someone might have similar curiosity about an assistant professor’s life. The stereotype was that we are meant to be private, a little mysterious. I did not feel the need to conform to that. I posted a vlog the very next day and it got millions of views in a day.”Ishita Arora, professor of Mass Communication at a private university, says, “It’s a fair concern in a profession like teaching to be apprehensive about being “visible” online. Primarily, because being a content creator does not “suit” the image of a teacher and the profession requires a certain formality. There was a slight awkwardness at first, but then one day, a fellow faculty member mentioned my content and appreciated my efforts. Although a few of them did pass some sarcastic remarks, the overall response was good.”
They follow trends and understand students in their own language (Pics: @wanderlustsoul_rj, @textsubtext)
Keeping the student-teacher balanceSocial media, however, can blur some boundaries, and professor creators have noticed the shift too. For young professors, navigating the dynamic with college students can be tricky. Drishti Kalra, assistant professor at DU, notes, “Being online has not changed the student teacher equation as much as people assume. Only the setting has moved from offline to online. That said, as a female teacher, there are students who will try to test the boundaries. ‘Ma’am, coffee pe chalein? Ma’am, can we be friends?’ In response, one keeps the line thick and visible and does not respond to everything.”Echoing a similar sentiment, Rajnandani says, “I believe the balance comes through clearly defined boundaries. I enjoy connecting with my students, but I ensure that the professional relationship is always maintained.” Ishita adds, “Seeing me engage on the same platforms as my students made them more comfortable around me. It doesn’t erase the teacher-student gap, but it softens its edges. A student who thinks you might actually understand their world is more willing to let you into it, even just a little, and that matters for learning.”
The relationship is still built in the classroom, but social media can make the first interaction less formal and intimidating. If my students feel that they can approach me more easily because they have seen me online, I think that’s a wonderful thing
Taruna Tokas, assistant professor
Social media, however, can blur some boundaries, and professor creators have noticed the shift too (Pics: @prasoliterature, @ishita.creates)
‘Respect grows when you meet students where they are’“To help students evolve into well-rounded individuals, a professor’s role must extend beyond a lecture. Respect grows when you tear down unnecessary walls, meet students where they are, and make them feel seen,” Taruna adds.Sonal explains the criticism, “I’ve been told that posting about enjoying my mornings misrepresents how demanding the job is, and that I should instead show how hard it is. I’ve been asked to take posts down and stay off social media during my probation in case I said something controversial. One senior professor even told me to stop altogether, saying young girls were approaching her saying they wanted to do what I do – girls who, in her view, could have become doctors or officers,” she says.
