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This article explores the benefits and opportunities of integrating social media into the introductory psychology course. It provides practical ways to use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Google+, YouTube, and Quora to enhance student engagement and learning. Additionally, it discusses how social media can be incorporated into research projects and data analysis.
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INTEGRATING SOCIAL MEDIA INTO THE INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY COURSE Laura Freberg California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
2012 and the future--Society as a whole is becoming more of a universal, diverse, connected, engaged, and social community.
William James on Teaching • “…in teaching, you must simply work your pupil into such a state of interest in what you are going to teach him that every other object of attention is banished from his mind.” –William James
Why Social Media? • Social Media Revolution Video
What is social media? Social mediacombines “a wide range of online, word-of-mouth forums including blogs, company sponsored discussion boards and chat rooms, consumer-to-consumer e-mail, consumer product or service ratings websites and forums, Internet discussion boards and forums, microblogs” (Mangold & Faulds, 2009, p. 358). • Social media integrates technology & social interaction with pictures, videos, words, and audio. • It also allows people to share different perspectives and information / stories / experiences among online communities • Power of publishing voice while providing information via multimedia + texts
Social media & online education Infographic retrieved from http://www.famousbloggers.net/open-source-textbooks-infographic.html
How to incorporate social media into the introductory psychology classroom • Twitter • Set up a class Twitter account (ex. FrebergPSY210) • Have students tweet answers and questions with hashtag #psych or topic for class – have the Twitter stream available for students to view • Follow key Psychologists & Organizations (e.g. APS, APA) • Town Hall Virtual Office Hours on Twitter – Specify a time where students can ask you questions via Twitter • Have students research topics through social searches on Twitter and Twitter applications on current Psychology trends and issues – integrating social media monitoring research and critique • Topsy – search engine for Twitter and Google+ based on topics • Hashtags – look at trending topics appearing via Twitter • Facebook • Virtual office hours - Message chat or Discussion on Class Wall on FB • Ask questions and bring conversation to outside of the classroom – like how FB drives social connections and how theory and previous research can back this perspective in class. • Encourage students to share links to news reports or research related to the class topic – be part of the participation grade • Facebook for Educators
Topsy Example Retweet #s Twitter feed
Google+ • Host virtual office hours through Google Hangouts • Meetings via conference calls • Establishing research community within Google + Circles to brainstorm, share, and publish comments and updates. • Mashable Google + Guide • YouTube and Vimeo • Use videos in the classroom to showcase examples related to class topic • Have students construct a video presentation on topic from class where they have to interview and edit the video to post on the class video sharing page • Infographics • Have students propose creating an infographic for a topic related to class to share with others that would help them study and prepare for an exam • Include current statistics and scientific research findings – creating a visual and thorough representation of material for students • Infographic Database: Visual.ly & Example
Quora • Set up an account to answer questions related to Psychology • Encourage students to answer and ask questions based on research and scientific findings • Conduct research and analysis on which top Psychology journals, researchers, and academic institutions are being cited via Quora. • Network with others who are interested and invested in topics • Emerging Technologies in Mobile • Discussion on role of QR codes and Augmented reality among students related to Psychology topics • Set up the course social media page to be mobile compatible. • Research projects related to analyze current trends on this form of technology • Discussion and insights into how this technology can be used in Psychology (ex. Cockroach Phobia & Augmented Reality)
How to incorporate social media into research • Incorporate data mining into analysis of discussions and conversations emerging related to research topic for Psychology classes • Social mention (All social media) • Topsy Analytics (Twitter + Google+) • Create a centralized website for managing psychology research center (students and professors) brand • Word Press • Tumblr • Content analysis of Quora on Psychology topics – power of crowdsourcing information and user-generated content • Initiate a Wiki for collaborating on research projects and presentations as well as setting up an education portal for student researchers and other collaborators • Post presentations (via Slideshare) and videos (YouTube or Vimeo) highlighting research • Capstone or Senior Projects to create Mobile App to be used for Psychology research or practice • http://www.magmito.com/blog/ to start process of creating a mobile app
Social Mention Example Hashtag (#tags keyword for searches) Twitter result for #nitop Download data
How to integrate social media into campus life activities (ex. clubs) • Integrate partnerships with other departments to coordinate raising awareness about club activities on campus. • Student bloggers (both traditional and microblogs) sharing updates and information about events. • Connecting social media trends with specialized areas within Psychology (ex. Facebook Connections and Social Psychology, Emergence of Neuromarketing within Social Media, etc). • Formulate a LinkedIn group to coordinate business relationships, recommendations, and showcase resumes & CVs for graduate schools or future jobs. • Initiate video channel highlighting club research, activities, and conference poster & research presentations (YouTube or Vimeo).
Best Practices • To understand how to fully incorporate social media into psychology classes, you have to be consistently engaged on social media personally and professionally • Incorporate social media class policies into the syllabus • Become transdisciplinary – work with other professionals in other disciplines who are also incorporating social media into class & research • Engage in spending a little bit of time each day looking at trends in social media to stay current • Lead by example – set up a personal website, start writing a blog, and be consistently active and present on the various social media platforms. • Educate your department, students, and fellow colleagues within the Psychology community.
Future of Social Media Baekel. T. (April 27, 2009). Where is everyone? Baekel Online Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.baekdal.com/articles/Management/market-of-information/.
Social Media Resources • Main resources • Mashable (great social media blog and site): http://mashable.com/ • Social Media Classroom Resources: http://socialmediaclassroom.com/community/wiki/participatory-media-teaching-and-learning-resources • Digital Buzz (latest trends in mobile and other digital media): http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/ • The Google of Social Media - Samepoint.com • Another good search engine -Socialmention.com • Social Media Influence (Case studies): http://socialmediainfluence.com/ • Psychology and Social Media Resources • Pew Research Internet Resources: http://www.pewinternet.org/ • Media Psychology Research Center blog: http://mprcenter.org/blog/
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?THANK YOU VERY MUCH QR Code for website Laura Freberg, Ph.D. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoWebsite: www.laurafreberg.comBlog: www.laurafreberg.com/blogTwitter: @lfreberg