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Using Social Networking Techniques to Enhance Online Learning for Deaf Students. Cathy Clarke, Digital Media Specialist Simon Ting, Instructional Developer. Introduction . Why Social Networking?. ‘Multimedia Lessons for the Design Novice’. 2008 Technology Symposium presentation
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Using Social Networking Techniques to Enhance Online Learning for Deaf Students Cathy Clarke, Digital Media Specialist Simon Ting, Instructional Developer
Introduction Why Social Networking?
‘Multimedia Lessons for the Design Novice’ • 2008 Technology Symposium presentation • Cathy Clarke & Simon Ting • Demonstrated multimedia tools and services on the web • Discussed potential classroom uses • Now we are experimenting with ways to integrate these tools with IdeaTools • IdeaTools: Course management system with included suite of multimedia applications
What is a Social Network? • A community of people • Often with a shared interest or background • Social Networking on the web is a group connecting online • Status, actions and notifications • One person does something others in the group know about it
Social Networking • Two perspectives • Passing trend, something to do for fun • Communications channel—a way to connect • Can this be used in the classroom? • Being explored by developers and educators
Why Combine Social Networking with an Online Course? • Typical online course: static materials • Collection of handouts, articles, schedules, etc. • Social networking: interactive communication • Adding a layer of interactivity
Why Combine Social Networking with an Online Course? • Users can discuss, subscribe, and author • Building knowledge and content together • Getting users interested in the site, get them to return frequently
Quick Note • Demonstration of what is possible • No solid proof that these tools improve classroom/student experience
‘IdeaBox’ Informal messages and interaction in a course
IdeaBox: What is it? • Similar to Facebook or Twitter updates • Instructors and students post short messages • Text • Video • Images • Links
IdeaBox: How it Works • Unique to each course • Any course member who is logged in can post • Users can comment on other posts • Instructor can delete/disable any post
IdeaBox: Ways to Use It • Brief introductions • Students post their favorite artist, website, book, etc. • Course announcements • Links to relevant articles, videos, etc. • Students who want to contact other students
IdeaBox: Pros & Cons • Benefits • Encourage informal interaction and discussion • Very easy to use • Secure, Private • Limited to the course instructor and members • Disadvantages • Discussions can get off-topic • Little control over what gets posted • Instructor can delete messages, but only after they’ve been posted for members to see
IdeaBox: Demo • ideatools.rit.edu/demos/writing
WordPress Blogging within a course
Wordpress: What is it? • Open-source blogging platform • Authors post text, pictures, videos • Readers can comment on posts
WordPress: How it Works • Installed on our server • Linked to a course no duplicate logins • Instructor decides how to use it • Allow students to comment • Allow students to author posts • Create posts from within the course structure or link to the blog as a separate environment
WordPress: How it’s Used • Arts of Expression blog • Students post and get feedback on drafts of their memoirs • Students post journal entries link
WordPress: How it’s Used • Co-op Students • Share their co-op experiences with students while they are away from campus link
WordPress: Pros & Cons • Benefits • Encourage interaction • Students are authors • Plugins, widgets and games • Add entertainment value • Secure, private • Limited to the course instructor and members • RSS, e-mail notifications • Get notified of new posts, comments • Disadvantages • Permanence • Future of plugins, widgets, etc.? • Getting used to new process • Posting to the correct category for better organization
WordPress: Demo • ideatools.rit.edu/demos/writing
Conclusion Final thoughts
Final Thoughts • Students are already using social media • We like adding it to an online course because: • Engage user interest • Connect with users and share resources • Encourage interaction outside of the classroom • Caveats • Some schools block access to web • Not everyone is interested in experimenting with social media
Final Thoughts • We are happy with these applications, hoping to see more instructors experimenting with them • We think users are more willing to try something when it’s integrated into their online course • What are your ideas or experiences? • Any questions?
Thank you! • Our Next Presentation: • Video Communications Processes in Online Courses • Tomorrow, 11am • LBJ-2590
Other Social Media Quick overview
Other Social Media • Microblogging • Twitter • Yammer • Video sharing • YouTube • Vimeo • Photo sharing • Flickr • Picassa