Maximizing Social Media:Higher Education

Annukka ThelenEmily DelanoJohn GipsonRyan Bond

Grand Valley State University

Intended UsageThis PowerPoint was created to serve as an independent resource addressing the history, advantages, and concerns of social media for student affairs educators and administrators within institutions of higher education.

We strongly encourage utilizing the many links throughout the presentation to gain a deeper understanding of social media and how to incorporate best practices at your unique institution.

What is Social Media?Boyd and Ellison (2007) define social media as “web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system” (p. 211).

Evolution of Social Media(Major Social Networking Sites)

1997 – 2000 Sixdegrees.com2002 – present Friendster 2003 – present Linkedin2003 – present MySpace 2005 – present YouTube2005 – present Xanga 2006 – present Facebook (Open to everyone)2006 – present Twitter

Source: Boyd, D. M. & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), 210-230. DOI: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x

Source: Online Universities.com (as cited in Silverman, 2012)

Advantages of Social Media • Heiberger and Harper (2008) demonstrate how social media can be utilized

throughout theories within student affairs, including Astin’s theory of student involvement and Tinto’s retention models.

• 98% of students are using Facebook – quick, efficient, sustainable communication

• According to Qualman (2011) social media is utilized in the business world to promote products cheaply and efficiently. Example: Ford gave individuals Ford Fiestas for 6 months who promised to document their experiences using social media. The results: over 7 million YouTube views, 750,000 views of photos on Flickr, 11,000 “hand raisers” on Fiestamovement.com, 11,000 vehicle reservations, and a 60% awareness rate (equal to all cars on the market for 2-3 years)

Social Media in the ClassroomAdvantages

• Enhanced Communication – Students are comfortable to express themselves• Increased Accessibility – Smartphones = Greater accessibility than blogs, Blackboard • Personal Learning Networks – Promotes cross institutional research• Instant Academic Support Services – Advising, Virtual Office Hours, • Student Collaboration – Easy access to groups, diverse populations, sustainable and

affordable

Useful Tips for Effective Teaching and Learning

100 ways Facebook is being used in the classroom in both k-12 and higher education

Libraries are also utilizing social media for citation assistance, broad casting live events, and much more.

Effective Tips for Teaching Online

Social Media in the Co-Curricular• Public Safety – Counseling to meet student needs and act proactively instead of

reactively, instant relay of information (Remember Virginia Tech?)• Alumni – Connecting students and alumni will increase career opportunities,

sustainable advertising for homecoming and other alumni events• Institutional Partnerships – Network with other institutions, find out what others

are doing in increase high impact student learning without leaving campus• Virtual Tours – Increased opportunities for students with disabilities, increased

recruitment area• Financial Resources – Instant counseling, inclusive and accessible location for

posting scholarships

20 Colleges and universities that are highly utilizing social media: Including the University of Notre Dame, Harvard, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Duke and many more.

Social Media in the Co-Curricular• Career Development – Alumni connections, efficient resume/e-portfolio

evaluations, effective communication with potential employers, • Student Involvement – Sustainably and efficiently advertise programs to

the student body, increased communication and connection with non-traditional students = higher retention (Astin, 1984)

• Intercultural Awareness – Students can engage in diversity on a greater level

• Inclusion and Equity – Engage and effectively communicate with off-campus residents in a sustainable manner

Negatives Associated with Social Media• Signs of other psychological disorders, including antisocial behaviors, mania and aggressive tendencies with strong Facebook presence

• Facebook can be distracting and can negatively impact learning. Studies found that middle school, high school and college students who checked Facebook at least once during a 15-minute study period achieved lower grades.

• Can Encourage poor grammar and spelling

• Creating a culture in which a single mistake such as a racy picture or poorly thought-out comment can cause irreparable harm to your reputation and can cause legal issues

• Increased risk of identity theft

• 22% of college students report cyberbullying (HealthDay, 2011)

• Allowing the spread of misinformation that may be perceived as fact, even in light of evidence to the contrary

How MC Educates on Social Media• Education is key – Workshops for professors, student affairs educators, and

students

• Create a webpage detailing the positives and negatives of social media usage

• Model, Model, Model – Brief videos housed on website and shown during orientation to inform students of the implications of social media

Please view the videos below we created for student orientation:

Negative Social Media Presencehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toD6htxJJJU

Positive Social Media Presencehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOet3Gsz7ZY

Provide Real-Life Examples The following examples will be listed and linked on our new social media awareness webpage

Fired Over Facebook – Boston area firefighter fired over Facebook comment

Trending Now: Memes

• http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/02/16/campus-themed-internet-memes-go-viral#.Tzz0tPN-OeN.facebook

Why Educate on Social Media? Meet professional standards and support accreditation criteriaAccording to the Higher Learning Commission (2011), institutions must meet the

following criteria for accreditation: • Core Component 5a – Serve the needs and expectations of constituents (98%

utilizing Facebook = need for social media. • Core Component 4c – meeting the needs of a “global, diverse, and

technological society” • Core Component 2a - “realistically prepares for a future shaped by multiple

societal and economic trends.”

Provide high impact student learning which meets the demands of a changing global economy and culture

NASPA Standards of Professional Practice 8“Members demonstrate and promote responsible behavior and support actions

that enhance personal growth and development of students.”

Recommended LinksWebsites

http://www.studentadvisor.com/top-100-social-media-colleges - Top 100 Social Media Institutions

http://mashable.com/2012/02/03/higher-education-social-media/ - Social Media Data 2008-2011

http://www.techaddiction.ca/internet_addiction_statistics.html - Internet Facts and Figures

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/nov/22/internet-encourages-bad-spelling-children - Grammar Concerns

http://

health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2011/11/03/college-students-still-vulnerable-

to-bullying

– Cyber Bullying

ReferencesBoyd, D. M. & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), 210-230. DOI: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x

Heiberger, G., & Harper, R. (2008). Have you Facebooked Astin lately? Using technology to increase student involvement. In Junco, R., & Timm, D. M., eds. Using emerging technologies to enhance student engagement. New Directions for Student Services Issue #124. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, pp. 19-35.

Silverman, M. (2012). How higher education uses social media [INFOGRAPHIC]. Retrieved from: http://mashable.com/2012/02/03/higher-education-social-media/

Qualman, E. (2011). Socialnomics: How social media transforms the way we live and do business. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.