Tag Archives: learning management system

Social Media Class at JDCC: Students Building Strong Social Media Skills

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Student in computer class at JDCC (used by permission).

Social Media Class at JDCC

In the social media class that I teach at Jefferson Davis Community College, students are learning how to use different social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook Pages, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, and blogs.

This is an online class and students were required to communicate with me and other students in the class using social media tools. The primary mode of communication throughout the semester was Twitter. It was interesting responding to students’ questions in 140 characters or less. If the explanation required more than 140 characters, they were usually referred to a demonstration video. On a few occasions we relied on email.

Learning Management System – Blackboard

Class assignments were set up in Blackboard. Blackboard was used for class announcements and for recording grades.

Project Based

Students were required to read assignments and communicate with each other using Twitter. Students completed projects such as creating a Facebook Page and designing the cover using PowerPoint. Students learned to create a LinkedIn Profile. They learned the importance of building their professional network. Students learned to connect with people who shared their interests using Google+. Hangouts are a feature of Google+ that I hope to develop more in the next class.

Students have reported that they have enjoyed the class. There have been a few frustrating moments. Probably the most difficult for most students was setting up their first blog. But by the time they got to their first blog project, students felt comfortable asking for help from each other as they had been required to tweet each other throughout the semester.  Students had to move beyond the initial fear of writing and the fear of  everyone being able to see their writing assignments.

Probably the easiest and by far the most fun was Pinterest. There was some frustration when students discovered they had to receive an invitation before opening a Pinterest account. Students are learning how they can use Pinterest to drive traffic to their website and to engage customers.

Social Media Etiquette

Social media etiquette has been a big part of the class. Students are learning how to build a positive web presence that can be an asset to them when looking for the perfect job. They are developing strong social media skills that will be one more asset to help them find good jobs or help them to advance in their current jobs. Many varied jobs require strong social media skills. The class helps students to build a portfolio to show off their social media skills to potential employers.

Create Videos and Post to YouTube

At the end of the semester, students created videos and posted to YouTube. Students then posted their videos to their blogs and shared across multiple social media platforms.

Would you be Interested in Learning More about Social Media?

You may be interested in taking the social media class beginning August 13,2012, through Jefferson Davis Community College. I will teach the class both online and on campus. For more details about the class, check our webpage at Jefferson Davis Community College or give me at call at 251-809-1671.

I plan to share a few of my students’ video assignments on my website and other social media platforms.

Nora is one of the students in my social media class. Her video is entitled The Algebra Gift: Can You Guess What is in the Box? Check out her video below.

You may also be interested in reading:

The Algebra Gift (Nora Coxwell)

Why Social Media Should be Taught in the Community College (carolhbates)

The Role of Social Media in the Community College (Charles Davis III)

Muskegon Community College Social Media Class Article (Christopher VanOosterhout)

What is Motivation? Ideas for the Classroom.

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College Student using Social Media

Generally, we talk about motivating students in terms of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.

Extrinsic motivation is concerned with academic achievement and refers to the students’ perception of participating in tasks for reasons such as grades, rewards, competition, and evaluation by others.

Intrinsic motivation is what social cognitivists prefer to call self motivation because they believe that individuals develop motivation from their self-efficacy perceptions rather than from the task itself (Schunk & Zimmerman, 1994).

Many ideas for the classroom have been developed to motivate students. Some believe that extrinsic motivators such as grades reduce intrinsic motivation.  But there are not many colleges ready to do away with grades. One of the best ways to develop intrinsic motivation is to help students develop goals (Bandura 1986).

Maehr (1991) suggest that instructors should arrange the learning environment in such a way as to promote personal motivation.

One popular method today for motivating students is to include learning strategies using Web 2.0. What is Web 2.0? Web 2.0 are web-based services that allow people to interact in communities. These Web 2.0 services include but are not limited to Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Blackboard and social media networks. Many of these services are free.

The most popular social media tools are blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. These new teaching methods are powerful ways to engage students in the classroom content. Teachers use strategies for learning with social media to motivate students to academic achievement. Teachers are using social media tools to develop innovative ideas for the classroom. The old, tired methods of working with students can be updated and energized with new learning strategies using social media.

The social media strategy for the classroom that has been researched the most is blogs. Blogs can help students develop self-regulation strategies by helping students to set goals and to record their progress toward their goals. Blogs are a great tool for helping students learn to summarize and analyze content. Blogs help students develop their critical thinking skills and their writing skills.

Young people love social media and older people are jumping on the bandwagon. Education for students is more fun using the tools that students use and enjoy. Nielsen reports that people spend more time on Facebook than anywhere else on the web. Another statistic of the report showed that Americans spend 23% of their time online using blogs or social networks.  Why not explore these strategies for learning? Yes, there are some precautions for both faculty and students. But social media opens the door to teaching methods and learning strategies that need to be researched and explored.

How have you used social media in the classroom to motivate your students? I appreciate your comments.

  • http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20105184-93/facebook-sucks-up-americans-time/ (Eric Mack)
  • Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundation of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
  • Maehr, M. L. (1991, April). Changing the schools: A word to school leaders about enhancing student investment in learning. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago.
  • Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (1994). Self-regulation of learning and performance. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

6 Examples for Adapting Old Lesson Plans to the New Social Media: Increase Student Engagement and Improve Retention

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Update lesson plans with Social Media

Update old lesson plans with new social media tools

Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, YouTube, and LinkedIn can be used in the community college classroom to increase faculty-to-student, student-to-student, and student-to-content engagement.  Faculty use social media to extend classroom engagement beyond the traditional class time. And studies show that student engagement is linked to better grades and retention.

Social media are used and loved by many young students and the non-traditional students are beginning to use social media as well. These tools are becoming a natural part of our lives. Research suggests that students use social media to enhance their education. Students feel more comfortable using popular social media tools than expensive learning management systems (LMS).

Faculty report that students are more likely to engage with them using social media than they are to visit them in their campus/closet office.  Social media is a great way to distribute information, make announcements, and make connections with students.  And when students make connections with faculty, studies show they are more likely to stay in school.

So how can faculty use social media? According to Heiberger & Junco, course content should determine how social media is used in the classroom.  Faculty should begin by considering existing lesson plans and analyze how students are presently engaged in the class. Many current lesson plans can be updated and enhanced with social media. The pedagogy that faculty have learned along the way can be adapted and enhanced with social media.

Social media in the community college is not only a way to help engage students in the classroom, it is also a way to help prepare students for the workforce.

6 examples for adapting old lesson plans to the new social media:

  1. Enhance critical thinking skills using Twitter   - Identify a major chapter concept. Tweet this concept to your students (140 charters or less). If you must write longer than 140 characters, link to your content. Allow students to critique the concepts in a Tweet -140 characters or less. – As a result of this activity, students will get a feel for each other’s ideas and they will begin to develop their own ideas more fully. The conversation can continue in the traditional class setting which helps to develop a fun and interactive classroom environment.
  2. Develop cooperative learning communities on Facebook or Google+ – Students meet on Facebook or Google+ in groups of five or less. Students are given various aspects of a concept or problem to explore. Students choose their topic, research the topic, and prepare a report. Student may then present their report in PowerPoint and post to Facebook, YouTube, Google+, or other social media tool.
  3. Create a video and post to YouTube – Many students have a cell phone with the option to video. It is easy to upload the video to YouTube (many of your students already know how). Have students respond to the video with comments.  Here is a good tutorial if needed.
  4. Enhance lectures with Twitter –The old lecture is back, but better! Give your lecture and allow students to Tweet their thoughts and comments during the lecture. The Tweets should be projected on the Smartboard as you lecture.  Stop your lecture every ten minutes or so and respond to the students questions or comments.
  5. Summarize textbook chapters using blogs – Have students open a free weblog account (I like WordPress.com). Have them summarize the chapter content in their own words. Also, suggest that the students comment on the posts of at least two other students. This exercise will help the students understand the material and will improve their writing skills.
  6. Help students develop a resume and professional network on LinkedIn – employers are increasingly using LinkedIn to find qualified people to be a member of their team. Students need to know how to create a profile, network with others, and join groups. The old way of developing a resume and cover letter may be obsolete in a few years.

What ways have you used social media to enhance your classroom instruction? I am interested in your comments. Please make suggestions for improvement. Thanks!