Do Emojis Have a Place in the College Classroom?

[MarisaBluestone]

Emojis are used every day. We see them in our friends’ text messages, our social media feeds and even the occasional work email. They’ve come a long way from their humble beginnings of 176 emojis designed for early mobile phones, evolving into a rich visual language that’s now integral to our digital communication. But when it comes to the classroom, should they make the cut? 

As a learning company, we’re interested in understanding more about whether or not different communication tools, like emojis, influence the classroom experience. And if they do, what kind of impact do they have? Could they serve as a bridge between instructors and students, making learning more engaging and accessible? Can they help create a sense of community and belonging within the classroom? Or do they risk undermining the professionalism of academic spaces?

This is one of the many topics that has intrigued our learning science and research team. In their review of existing studies on classroom communication and student engagement, they found compelling reasons why emojis might just work in the classroom. Here’s what they learned.

Emojis Can Enhance the Learning Experience

At their core, emojis are all about communication. They can express emotions, clarify tone, and make interactions more personal. In the classroom, that means they have the potential to break down barriers between instructors and students. For example, an encouraging "thumbs up" 👍 or a supportive "heart" ❤️ can turn what would otherwise be a dry message into something that feels a little more human. And in the age of AI-enabled classrooms, adding some humanity can go a long way in engaging students. “Thoughtfully selected and strategically placed emojis can be especially helpful in online settings, as they make up for the lack of non-verbal cues, boosting engagement and making interactions more effective,” notes Hilary Duplantis, Learning Research Specialist at Macmillan Learning. Research shows emojis can help instructors:

• Make their communication more approachable and relatable
• Capture attention and add a bit of humor, especially during long or complex lessons
• Help clarify their intent, making it easier for students to connect with the material

Instructors who use emojis thoughtfully might find that their students feel more engaged, more connected to the content (and to them), and maybe even a bit more motivated.

But There are Real Challenges of Using Emojis in the Classroom

It’s not all “smiles” 😊 and “thumbs up” 👍. While emojis can help bridge the gap between instructors and students, there’s a delicate balance to strike between creating a positive experience and overdoing it. Many students and faculty are hesitant to use emojis in academic settings because they feel too casual and can feel out of place, especially when students are communicating with authority figures like their instructors.

Overuse—or worse, inauthentic use—of emojis can make communication seem forced or even unprofessional. “Emojis can shape how students view their instructor’s expertise, trustworthiness, and likability. When used the right way, they can boost these perceptions; however, using them poorly might have the opposite effect,” Hilary added. For example, if an instructor uses emojis excessively when discussing a serious academic topic, it could come off as insincere. It’s also advised to be mindful that not all emojis have positive associations. An example of this is the “thinking face” 🤔. Though we may use it in communication with friends, it’s rarely used in academic settings because it can be interpreted as disbelief or sarcasm.

There’s also the potential for misunderstandings when using emojis, and miscommunication is a legitimate concern. “It is essential to connect with your students, but it is equally important to be mindful of your audience when using emojis, as they can sometimes convey an unintended tone,” cautions Duplantis. This is especially true when you factor in the way different cultures and generations interpret emojis. 

For example, Gen Z uses the "skull" emoji 💀 to express laughter, while older generations might take it a little more literally. Also, there are emojis that convey passive-aggressive connotations for Gen Z, as opposed to older generations who often use them more literally. The 👍may not offer the encouragement you think it does; GenZ often views the thumbs up as a passive-aggressive, dismissive and abrupt way to end a conversation. 

Cross-cultural differences can add another layer of complexity. In some cultures, emojis are used more freely, while in others, they’re seen as inappropriate for formal communication. While the basic interpretations of most emojis are largely universal, differences in usage patterns, subtle connotations, and specific preferences exist. Interpretation of emojis can vary across different cultures, as each may use and understand emojis in distinct ways, affecting their effectiveness in communication. For example, folded Hands 🙏 are commonly used to mean "thank you" or as a symbol for prayer, but can also represent a "high five" for some users. However, in Japan they are often interpreted as a gesture of apology or a request for help.

Building Community with Emojis

Where emojis can really shine is in helping to build community. Classrooms thrive when students feel like they deserve to be there and belong there–and emojis can help create that.

In digital learning platforms like Achieve or online environments, where it’s easy for interactions to feel impersonal, a well-placed emoji can make a big difference. A quick “smiling face” 😊 or “winking face” 😉 from an instructor can turn a formal comment into a friendly, supportive nudge. This kind of personal touch can make students feel more connected to both their peers and their instructors. “Emojis enhance communication by clarifying messages and establishing a social presence, making interactions feel more authentic and fostering cohesion among students,” added Hilary.

Emojis can also clarify communication, softening critical feedback and helping instructors strike the right tone. “Softening the tone of feedback through emojis has the potential to encourage students to be more inclined to receiving and processing what they may consider criticism,” notes Duplantis. A little emoji can go a long way toward humanizing interactions and making students feel seen and heard, even in large online courses. And when used thoughtfully, they can encourage participation and create a more relaxed, inclusive classroom environment.

Ultimately, emojis are here to stay, and they’re already influencing the way we communicate.  But are they tools for building engagement and connection, or is that the wrong time and place to use the icons? A case can be made for saying they do belong in the classroom. But like any tool, they need to be used with care. Instructors should set clear expectations for emoji use, keeping in mind their students' cultural backgrounds and varying levels of digital literacy. The challenge is finding the right balance between the informal warmth they bring and the professionalism that academic settings require.

Al-Zou'bi & Shamma 2021, Dunlap et al. 2016, Hayes & Fatima 2024, Chen et al. 2024, Cherbonnier & Michinov 2022, Dunlap et al. 2016, Svoboda 2022, Togans et al. 2021, Zhukova & Brehm 2024, Doiron 2018, Franzini & Pilli, 2024, Sia et al., 2024, Veytia-Bucheli et al. 2020, Dunlap et al. 2016