Overview
Social media represents a broad range of platforms meant for social interaction. Some of these platforms include: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These networks allow users to experience and participate different modes of communication.
Social Media can be utilized for writing, curation, and discovery. It can also help provide students the tools they need to become responsible digital citizens.
You will find various suggestions for resources, tutorials, assessment, and learning goals in the guide for the incorporation of social media tools into your classroom.
For further questions or inquiries, feel free to reach out to any of the Educational Technology staff below:
Jon Breitenbucher, Director: jbreitenbucher@wooster.edu
Emily Armour, Educational Technologist: earmour@wooster.edu
Megan Smeznik, Educational Technology Associate: msmeznik@wooster.edu
Maria Senoo, Educational Technology Associate: msenoo@wooster.edu
Learning Goals
Purpose and Scope of Assignment/Project
The purpose of the assignment/project is to expose students to the uses of social networking for communication in new styles and texts and critiquing content. The project/assignment can fulfill the following goals:
- Acts as a substitute for a research paper or other class exercise. It will take about the same amount of work as one of those other assignments.
- Allows students to explore open publishing, co-creation, and content management of content with peers
Student Learning Goals
Goals
- Hone and build communication skills in digital spaces
- Exploration of social perceptions
- Collaborate and explore within digital spaces
- Further digital skills to become an informed digital citizen
Expectations
Students will:
- Learn about and use new platforms to understand their benefits, challenges, and opportunities
- Engage in thoughtful curation of their material whether through writing, discovery, or otherwise
- Work towards building more effective communication with their peers and others
- Use of features that are particular to social media tools such as mentions and hashtags
- Attend and participate in any workshops
Faculty will:
- Specify which types of technologies and tools that students should expect to use
- Clearly outline the project and its goals by working with Educational Technology and other campus collaborators
- Define and present to students a clear outline of the project assessment
Parts of a Successful Projects/Assignments
- Demonstrates an attempt to utilize a variety of tools, technologies, and methods in the project
- Collaborated with peers, faculty member, and other groups such as Educational Technology (where applicable)
- Meets the goals of the course and the assignment as set by the faculty member
Students should be expected to complete various posts/uploads depending on the type of social media tool that will be utilized for the course. However, basic expectations should include students engaging in thoughtful curation of their material, conscious choices, and effective communication with their peers and others.
Important Consideration
Students are highly encouraged to create a new account in order to protect their anonymity and to preserve their private, academic, and professional lives.
If you or your students have questions about this aspect, feel free to reach out to Educational Technology. We would be happy to discuss these aspects with you and your students.
Resources
On Campus Resources
Educational Technology, Morgan Hall 4th Floor, educationaltechnology@wooster.edu
Digital Studio and Production Planning Studio, Andrews Library
Digital Media Bar, Andrews Library
Example Projects
3 Students, 3 Ways to Use Flipboard
Dr. Jessica Hardin’s Use of Twitter in the Classroom
Dr. Katie Holt’s Wooster Encounters
Suggested Readings and Materials
Bryan Alexander’s, “Blogging literature: the Draculablog begins again.”
Chris Dede, “Social Media and Challenges to Traditional Models of Education.”
Daniel Miller, et al. “What Is Social Media?”
Jerry Saltz’s, “Art at Arm’s Length: A History of the Selfie”
Tom Standage’s, Writing on the Wall: Social Media – The First 2,000 Years
Common Platforms and their Uses
Suggested Tools
Curated list from Common Sense about social media tools for teachers
Social Networks
These digital spaces are typically used by individuals to connect with one another. Platforms like these allow for the sharing and the connecting of ideas between individuals, businesses, and leaders.
Facebook: As one of the largest social networking sites, Facebook connects individuals globally through friends, news/media, groups, and more.
Twitter: A micro-blogging site that allows users to connect globally through 140 characters or less. Tweets usually utilize mentions, hashtags, etc.
Blogging and Publishing Networks
Blogging and publishing networks allow individuals and businesses to publish content in formats that allow for discovery, discussion, and commentary.
WordPress: A content management system that is used by many for blogging and dynamic website creation.
Tumblr: A micro-blogging site that allows users to post content and media in a short form blog style.
Media Sharing Networks
These platforms are used to share media such as images and video to others. While these may seem like social network sites, media sharing networks primary function is to share media.
Instagram: A web based application used for sharing media (photographs and video).
Snapchat: Similar to Instagram in that you can share media but typically the Snaps are only available for 10 seconds. However, Snapchat has been rolling out limitless application.
YouTube: A video sharing platform that allows individuals to upload original videos, comment, and share.
Bookmarking and Content Curation Networks
These networks are used for discovery, curation, and discussion of new content and ideas.
Flipboard: Similar to Pinterest, but is considered a magazine style app. You curate posts while being able to share and collaborate. Flipboard has become a new favorite amongst educators for its ability to connect people, perform research, and post pertinent information.
Assessment
Listed below are some types of assessments that could be utilized for social media projects/assignments. This section will be periodically updated with new examples. It is highly encouraged that before implementing an assessment that you reach out to the Educational Technology. We can help to provide feedback about the assessment.