Using online social networking as a tool to support students

1. Using online social networking as a tool to support students Jo Gibson Kirstin Thompson NADP Conference Wednesday 17 September 2008

2. Overview • Introductions & expectations • Background research • Our experiences • Feedback • Ongoing research • Summary

3. Background • Work carried out in recent years • Implications and opportunities provided for HEIs by technological advancements within wider society • Lack of research into the use of such technology in providing support and advice to students • HEI websites and online forums are often the first stop when students are looking for the information they require (Ipsos MORI, 2006)

4. Social Networking Websites • Facebook, MySpace and Bebo are often talked about in the media • Other social networking sites: • LinkedIn, JustCan, Orkut, Ning… • Facebook, MySpace and Bebo are currently the sites with a greater York St John presence

5. Facebook • Launched in 2004 as a social networking site for Harvard University • Allows users to chat, post photos and comments and connect with fellow users through online interest groups • In September 2006 Facebook allowed anyone with an email address to register • There are currently over 3,500 users registered on the York St John network, and 12,000 users on the University of Reading network. There are also users that are not members of the networks

6. MySpace • Founded in 2003 & bought in 2005 by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation for £290m • The fifth most popular website in any language • Also allows users to register profiles, photos, comments, and groups • Used by many musicians, bands and music fans • Currently just over 2,000 members linked to York St John and around 3,200 University of Reading members

7. Bebo • Founded in 2005 • Expanded quickly to allow uploading of photos, posting comments, creating blogs • Used mostly by younger web users • For York St John students there are currently very few discussion groups

8. Our experiences (1) • 2006-07 • basic use of MySpace and Facebook introduced as system for communicating with and providing advice for students • Access to Learning Fund application process advertised via Facebook • Communication with students in relation to accommodation queries, particularly for students experiencing problems with their landlord, using MySpace • 2007-08 • a lot of groups set-up on Facebook and MySpace by York St John applicants ‘meeting’ housemates, coursemates and those with similar social interests, prior to arrival in York

9. Our experiences (2) • 2007-08 cont. • Welfare Service used Facebook for students requesting appointments, and for providing information about campaigns • housing advice workshops delivered each academic year have been advertised on Facebook, and linked to the York St John network • Welfare Adviser monitoring student comments in groups and on discussion forums, which have mostly been associated with landlords and housing issues - has helped with the targeting of information included within welfare campaigns • Students’ Union • successfully used online social networking websites for informing students about events taking place • inclusion of the use of social networking sites in election campaign regulations • 2008-09 Developments

11. Student feedback “just wanted to send a message to say i think doing a facebook group is great. and i like how its private too. yet still allows you contact in a more casual way.” “…facebook is a brill idea, in which i can be more honest and open and therefore receive better help. plus i can use it at stupid o clock, cos i don't sleep much, whereas other means of contact i couldn't use so late…” 1st Year student, December 2007 2nd Year student, January 2008

13. Student feedback “I found out via Facebook about the support available from the student finance team. I entered ‘York St John’ and all the groups appeared. I was struggling with my forms and unsure of the funding I could get, so I sent a message and requested an appointment using facebook.” Pre-entry student, August 2007

14. Accessibility of sites • CAPTCHA problems • W3C/WAI advice • Flexibility of advice/information provision • AbilityNet eNation report (Jan 2008)

15. Concerns raised • Not all students will access social networking sites • Upkeep of sites if staff/priorities change • Liability if hosting groups • Perceptions around HEI presence • Accessibility of sites • ‘Vetting’ of ‘unofficial’ groups

16. The future of social networking • Monitoring of existing groups and events • Setting-up of groups as issues arise • Investigate research in general & specific to HE • Joint projects • Web 2.0 developments • January 2008 social networking statistics • Opportunities for interaction with students and promotion of events • Concerns of HEIs

17. References & further reading • Experian. (2008). The Impact of Social Networking in the UK.http://mel.hemstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/hitwise-social-networking-report-2008.pdf. • Ipsos MORI. (2006). HEIs’ provision of online financial information: A research study and good practice guidance for The Office for Fair Access. • Selwyn, N. (2008). An investigation of differences in undergraduates’ academic use of the internet. Active Learning in Higher Education, Vol 9: 11-22. London: Sage Publications. • Beer, D., & Burrows, R. (2007). Sociology and, of and in Web 2.0: Some Initial Considerations. Sociological Review Online, Vol 12, Issue 5. http://www.socresonline.org.uk/12/5/17.html. Additional references can be emailed – please ask

18. DiscussionThank you for listening

19. Contact details If you would like to discuss any of the aspects of this workshop with us then please get in touch: Kirstin Thompson Student Finance Officer York St John University 01904 876939 k.thompson@yorksj.ac.uk Jo Gibson Student Financial Support Manager University of Reading 0118 378 7430 j.gibson@reading.ac.uk