Computer Applications – Advanced Topics: Social Media Applications in Business

Course Number: Credit:

BUS-285-02 .5 Credit

Time/Days: 12:30-1:50 PM / Tuesday, Thursday (2/27– 5/1) / 15 Total Meetings (5/1 Meeting is at 8:00 AM) Room: Instructor: Instructor e-mail: Instructor Office: Course Website:

SH 208 Joe Hall jhall@coe.edu SH 204 E, Tuesday & Thursday 11AM – 12:15 PM, After Class http://public.coe.edu/~jhall/BUS-285-02.html

Course Description

The course surveys social media solutions utilized in the business environment with an emphasis on software usage. Learner-centered course design and hands-on experience provide students with a solid understanding of current best practices. In teacher-centered learning, there is a transfer of knowledge from the instructor to the student. A learner-centered course shifts the focus of instruction from the teacher to the student, and puts more responsibility for learning in the hands of the students. This is especially appropriate for social media courses because many students come into the classroom with years of rich experience with a variety of social media applications and their myriad of uses. We all benefit and grow by sharing our individual knowledge and discoveries throughout the term. Applications explored include: LinkedIn, Skype, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. Students are expected to share their knowledge, research results, and creativity as we engage in a collaborative exploration of the applications. Active student involvement in class activities and technical application input are required as we make discoveries together throughout the seven weeks. Students will create two application user guides that become available to their classmates to view at the course website (student names are removed – the user guides are posted anonymously). The intent is to create an online library of useful guides that can help all students in the class learn and grow. This course does not, on its own or in combination with another. 5 credit course, count as one of the two business electives required for a business major.

Course Goals

Use LinkedIn to create a professional online profile, manage settings, search for jobs, and begin networking with other professionals that have similar interests.

Research how to use Skype for job interviews, online meetings and conferences, and learn beneficial job interview techniques.

Create a YouTube Channel and appreciate how YouTube is a powerful tool for business. Learn how to make cards (an opportunity to place a call to action in a video), end screens (end cards), and subtitles.

Conduct research to learn how businesses utilize Facebook to connect with customers.

Make a pinboard to share images and videos, and research how businesses use Pinterest to communicate with patrons.

Create a Tumblr blog and find out how businesses use it to promote their products and services.

Find out how businesses use Twitter to spread their message.

Discover how businesses are trying new ways of reaching customers with images and video.

Uncover how businesses are using Snapchat to promote products, services, and special events.

2 (T TH 12:30 – 1:50 PM) Computer Applications – Advanced Topics: Social Media Applications in Business

Grading (Subject to Change)

Class Time

Course Website Required

Grading Information (Subject to Change) Points Each Total Points

Homework Assignments

Application Worksheets (YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, another) 10 40

Snapchat Research Project: User Guide (Solo or Team Project)

Take the role of an Information Technologist and create a user guide for business use of Snapchat. The user guides will be targeted for new business owners with no experience in Snapchat and cover technical aspects, best practices, as well as contain examples of successful use of the application in business. Include an original infographic and cite sources in the user guide. Some class time will be provided to begin work. Solo user guides are usually about 4-7 pages long and contain multiple screen shots, lists, and images. The completed user guides will be posted on the course website for your classmates to view (student names will be removed – guides are posted anonymously). Brief written critiques from classmates will provide user guide creators with anonymous feedback.

40 40

Facebook Research Project: Presentation and User Guide (Solo or Team Project)

Complete research and deliver a presentation about how the Facebook application is successfully used in business. Create a user guide that points out relevant technical features and describes their use. The completed user guides will be posted on the course website for your classmates to view (student names will be removed – guides are posted anonymously). Brief written critiques from classmates will provide user guide creators with anonymous feedback.

65 65

Final Research Essay (Solo or Team Project)

Complete a minimum 800 word (about 2 pages, double-spaced) research essay (if solo). Students will have the opportunity to pick from an extensive range of social media topics to write about, and even propose their own.

75 75

Final Presentation (Solo or Team Project)

Present the core content of your final research essay to the class. A PowerPoint slideshow with screenshots or screen clippings must be used for the presentation. Presentations should be 5 minutes long (if solo).

25 25

Attendance

15 Days – Worth 7 points each.

Participate in class activities, which includes research and sharing, completion of LinkedIn Profile requirements, Pinterest Pinboard, Tumblr Blog, YouTube video features, and other things throughout the term. Attendance and participation is worth 30% of your grade.

Attendance is crucial: Missing more than 20% of class time (more than 3 days for this ½ semester class) may result in a grade reduction or possible “F” final grade regardless of point total.

7 105

Total Possible 350

Class time is devoted to lecture, demonstration, in-class exercises, group activities, and presentations. During lectures and demonstrations each student is required to follow along with the instructor at his/her computer.

http://public.coe.edu/~jhall/BUS-285-02.html (Syllabus, schedule, links, downloadable files.)

It will be required to have free accounts for a variety of online applications. Students must keep track of new account information (log-in names and passwords). Accounts may be deleted afterwards if desired. Please feel free to ask the instructor for help deleting accounts if needed

3 (T TH 12:30 – 1:50 PM) Computer Applications – Advanced Topics: Social Media Applications in Business

Letter Grades Late Work

Final Meetings Attendance Policy

Meeting with & Contacting the Instructor

Students With Disabilities

Grading Scale

Learning Environment Expectations

Letter grades are used for grading (instead of detailed point-by-point markups). “A” grades are given for work that demonstrates noteworthy attention to detail (including specific assignment parameters) and outstanding execution. The “A+” grade is reserved for the best example(s) of assignment work in the class and may be rarely awarded. Feel free to ask me before/after class to show you an example of “A+” or “A” work after the specific assignment has been graded (the other student would need to agree to let me use his/her work as an example). Some things (not presentations, sharing activities, or the final essay) can be submitted for 75% late credit within a week of the due date. All other items are due as indicated on the course website and may not be completed late for any amount of credit (except for cases of documented, exceptional emergencies). Final Days: Tuesday, April 24 & Tuesday, May 1 (Final Presentations, May 1 Meeting Begins at 8:00 AM) Great attendance and hands-on experience are vitally important when learning computer applications and social media concepts. This is a student-centered course, which means students learn from each other and the instructor. We meet 15 times this semester (including the final meeting day), and students receive points for attending each day (7 points) – this adds up to 105 points and 30% of the total grade in the course. An attendance sheet will be passed around near the conclusion of each class – it is each student’s responsibility to sign in. Students are responsible for arriving on time. Habitual tardiness is not acceptable. Hands-on experience and participation in classroom activities are essential, therefore students who have unexcused absences totaling more than 15% of the Computers in Business course (more than 2 days for this semester) should expect a grade reduction in the final grade or even possibly an “F”, regardless of final point total. If a student misses class or is late due to a doctor’s appointment, illness, athletic event, etc., the student should notify the instructor by email and provide documentation (athletic schedule, doctor’s note, etc.). Students should use good judgment when weather conditions are poor. Moodle is not used for attendance. Students should keep a record of absences. The instructor does not regularly remind students about course attendance requirements.

I am in my office (SH 204 E) immediately before class, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM and by appointment (during posted hours I may not be there for a few minutes occasionally – in that case please wait for me to return). Usually I am on campus only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Feel free to visit with me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. Please send e-mails to communicate with me outside of class or office hours: jhall@coe.edu I will try to return e-mails within 48 hours of receiving them. Email is always the best way to contact me outside of class. (I do not regularly check emails on Saturdays and Sundays, nor do I expect students to.)

If you have a hidden or visible disability which may require classroom or test accommodations, I encourage you to visit my office during Office Hours or email to schedule an appointment at a mutually suitable time so we can discuss ways to support your learning. Coe College, in compliance with equal access laws, will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students are required to meet with Kim Pierson, the Accessibility Services Coordinator to verify disability. The Accessibility Services Office is located in the Learning Commons on the lower level of Stewart Memorial Library. This office is responsible for coordinating accommodations and services for students with disabilities. Please call 319-399-8844 or x8844 to schedule an appointment.

A+ N/A B+ 87% C+ 77% D+ 67% F <60%

A 93% B 83% C 73% D 63%

A- 90% B- 80% C- 70% D- 60%

Each student is expected to: be prepared, arrive on time, pay attention, take notes, contribute to discussions, be respectful of other students and the instructor, meet deadlines, and strive for his/her best performance. On most days, cell phones and other portable electronic devices may not be used during lecture/demonstration, unless it is directly related to the classroom activity. Please do not send or read text messages during lectures/demonstrations – it can sometimes be disrespectful and instructors typically take note of this, even if they don’t say anything. If it is an emergency, students should leave the classroom and use the phone in the hallway, or go in the hallway during break to make the call, etc. Video recording (for example, with a cell phone), audio recording, or photography of lectures is only permitted with prior permission of the instructor and/or completed accommodation form. Adult guests are only permitted with prior permission of the instructor. Children and pets are not permitted in the classroom. Food and drinks are not permitted near computers. All students are expected to know and comply with the General Student Conduct Policy and Academic Integrity Policy as printed in the Coe College Catalog.

4 (T TH 12:30 – 1:50 PM) Computer Applications – Advanced Topics: Social Media Applications in Business

Reporting of Sexual Assault or Misconduct

Tutors

Academic Integrity

FERPA

Definition of a Course Credit and Expected Workload

As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. I also have a mandatory reporting responsibility related to my role as a faculty member. It is my goal that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written work, and in any one-on-one meetings. I will seek to keep information you share with me private to the greatest extent possible. However, I am required to share information regarding sexual misconduct or students who may be in danger to themselves or to others. Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting Student Development at 319-399-8843 or Safety and Security at 319-399-8888. If you feel yourself falling behind the rest of the class, tutors are available to help – don’t be shy if you think this may be useful to you. Please ask me about it if you are interested, or visit Academic Achievement (319-399-8547). I am not notified about specific students that elect to use tutors.

At Coe College, we expect academic integrity of all members of our community. Academic integrity assumes honesty about the nature of one’s work in all situations. Such honesty is at the heart of the educational enterprise and is a pre-condition for intellectual growth. Academic dishonesty is the willful attempt to misrepresent one’s work, cheat, plagiarize, or impede other students’ academic progress. Academic dishonesty interferes with the mission of the College and will be treated with the utmost seriousness as a violation of community standards. Please refer to the Coe College Academic Catalog for complete information regarding Academic Integrity: http://www.coe.edu/academics/dean/academicintegrity

Students should be aware of their rights regarding the privacy of their educational records. Detailed information about your rights can be found under the FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974) section in the Academic Catalog and online here: http://www.coe.edu/academics/registrar/ferpa One course credit at Coe College constitutes 150 hours’ worth of student work over the course of the term. This figure includes both the time spent in class and the time spent out of class completing course work. In other words, students are expected to devote a considerable amount of time outside of class to this course. For courses that meet in a standard M-W-F or T-Th slot, students should be expected to work seven hours a week outside of the three hours in class.

jhall@coe.edu is always the best way to contact me… Please ask if you have any questions.