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Online Communities as an Advising Tool

2007 NACADA Annual Conference Baltimore, Maryland. Online Communities as an Advising Tool. Implementing the Facebook into Advising. Derek T. Furukawa University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Agenda. Overview of Online Communities. Brief Review of Literature. Case Study Findings. Questions.

Jeffrey
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Online Communities as an Advising Tool

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  1. 2007 NACADA Annual Conference Baltimore, Maryland Online Communities as an Advising Tool Implementing the Facebook into Advising Derek T. Furukawa University of Nevada, Las Vegas

  2. Agenda Overview of Online Communities Brief Review of Literature Case Study Findings Questions

  3. Overview of Online Communities What They Are • Online Communities or Online Social Networks • Websites that allow users to post individual profiles that can be linked with other users How They Work • Users can create their own profile including pictures, demographic information, educational history, interests, and more • Users can request to become a “friend” with another user • Users can send private messages, leave comments, and post photos • Groups can be created for users who share similar interests

  4. Overview of Online Communities The Communities • Xanga.com (1998) • Friendster.com (2002) • Myspace.com (2003) • Facebook.com (2004) Important Details • Myspace.com was sold to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation for $580 million in 2005 • Facebook.com recently turned down an offer from Google to purchase the site for $2.3 billion

  5. Online Communities in Higher Ed “about 85% of students in (previously) supported colleges have a profile (on facebook.com). (Of those who are signed up), 60% log in daily. About 85% log in at least once a week, and 93% log in at least once a month.” TechCrunch.com “Facebook was named as the second most ‘in’ think among undergraduates, tied with beer and losing only to the iPod.” Student Monitor, 2006

  6. Online Communities in Higher Ed The BAD News :’-( • NBC’s To Catch a Predator • Xanga violates COPPA (2006) • www.badjocks.com • Student disciplinary action

  7. Online Communities in Higher Ed The GOOD News :-D • Campus Events • Increasing Faculty & Staff Profiles • Online Privacy and Safety Education • Admissions and Recruitment • Groups and Networks

  8. Technology in Advising Telephone • Answering machines • Voicemail Computers • Student Records Internet • Web-based information • E-mail advising • Online Chats • Instant Messaging Online Communities…

  9. Case Study Wilson Advising Center, College of Liberal Arts, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Proposal Proposal Approvals Implementation

  10. Background of Wilson Advising Center • Started in 1997 • First Academic Advising Center at UNLV • Initially funded by the Earl E. Wilson Trust • Supports all the academic units within the College of Liberal Arts • Staff of 6 Professional Advisors, a Graduate Assistant Advisor, two support staff, and four student workers

  11. Technology in the Wilson Advising Center • Student Information System • FileMaker student database • WAC Website • E-mail Advising • Facebook group page

  12. Proposal • Pitched the idea in January 2007 during a WAC Advisors Meeting • Presented the proposal with supporting numbers for use • Received permission to pursue creating a Facebook group almost immediately

  13. Proposal • Bring a service to a venue that students are already at • Be on the cutting edge of using advising technology • Usage (as of 1/30) • 18,471 affiliated with UNLV on Myspace • 5,809 affiliated with UNLV on Facebook • 1,284 affiliated with Liberal Arts at UNLV

  14. Approvals Wilson Advising Center • Approval was granted almost immediately following the Advisors meeting College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Office • Approval was granted within two weeks from the proposal

  15. Implementation Policy Implications • FERPA • Authority of Advice Legal/Student Conduct Implications • Policy Review • Student Privacy • Appropriate Content • Responsibilities of Site Administrators

  16. Implementation Student Services Implications • Utilizing resources already in existence • Recognition of public domain information Design of the group page • Simple design • ADA-friendly • Privacy Settings • Network-specific

  17. Implementation Site Promotion • Notation on E-mails • Notification to students who would want to use it • Flyers in the Wilson Advising Center Review and Student Response • Feedback from students Future of the Site • Continued use • Increase number of users • Use as a way to keep in touch with recent alumni

  18. Implementation

  19. Special Thanks A thank you to the following people for making this presentation possible: • Ryan Lathrum, UNLV • Valarie Morgan, UNLV

  20. Questions For more information, contact derek.furukawa@unlv.edu

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