Social Media in the Learning Management System (LMS)

ByDavid E. Lloyd and Louise Fechter

Images were furnished by Google Images. 5/10/2011

Social Media in the LMS

• The purpose of integrating social media in the LMS is to provide another way of communication that allows users to easily share information.

• There are newer technologies available, like GoogleDocs which make it easier to collaborate and share text documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

• GoogleDocs can be used on multiple OS platforms and it can be accessed any where – any time!

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Social Media in the LMS

• GoogleDocs can be accessed from a smart phone, laptop or desktop.

• Documents can be viewed in real time.

• There is no longer a need for multiple versions of documents.

• Real time editing features and instant messaging across the globe.

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Social Media in the LMS

In defining the social network, there are many social media applications that can be shared through the LMS. Some of these include:• Twitter• Google Docs• Google Voice• Google Chat/Talk• Google Groups• Facebook• Youtube• Teachertube

• Authorstream • Authorpoint Lite• Flickr• Slideshare• Slideboom• Microsoft Photo Story• Blogger or GAView Blog Tool• Wikispaces• Voicethread

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Social Media in the LMS

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Social Media in the LMS• Twitter can be used to share a “status update” much like an announcement or a

quick communication among a certain group or student population.

• Twitter is like a “mash-up” or mix of the blog forum and instant messaging.

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Social Media in the LMS

• Facebook allows you to share “status updates,” as well videos and photos.

• Facebook allows you to keep up with friends, family and coworkers both locally and abroad.

• You could create an account for your class and create discussion group forums across sections for example.

• Recommendation: Keep your class Facebook account separate from your personal Facebook account.

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Social Media in the LMS

• Another social media tool that is easily integrated in the LMS is the blogging tool.

• A blog is basically an electronic journal kept in chronological order that provides a history of postings which can be easily viewed.

• One of the more commonly used blogs today is called Blogger, which can be found at www.blogger.com or you may also find a blogging tool right in your LMS.

Based on general instructor feedback, students tend to post more words per entry in a blog than they do a standard Discussion forum. Their postings also tend to be more thoughtful.

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Social Media in the LMS• If collaboration is the goal, Google Sites

and Google groups can be used together to allow multiple users to collaborate on a project, share ideas and for the nontechnical user(s) develop new skills.

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• The instructor set up Groups in GoogleApps and designed an assignment requiring each group member to contribute to their Google Sites page.

Social Media in the LMS

https://sites.google.com/a/georgiasouthern.edu/child-advocacy-lgbtq/home

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This example was created in a recent Georgia Southern Counseling course by one of our graduate students.

Social Media in the LMS

• Youtube or Teachtube videos can also be incorporated into your course easily by using web links or the embed code. Here’s an example of a video that has been embeded into a Discussion Activity.

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Social Media in the LMS

• Another audio/video tool that you could use is called Voicethread which can be found at voicethread.com/ .

• Voicethread allows users to participate in group conversations around images, documents and videos.

• In this exercise, students were instructed to create their own Voicethread introductions in the course.

Here’s an example of a Voicethread that I created as my personal course http://voicethread.com/share/1276482/

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Social Media in the LMS

• The ability to share photos is made easy through the use of tools like Flickr, Slideshare or Microsoft Digital Photostory.

• In this example, Microsoft Photo Story was used with Powerpoint slides and photos. Students were instructed to pick a topic within given limits and tell a story using photos and voiceovers. You can see where these story telling skills might be incorporated in a writing class or other disciplines.

http://louisefechter.pbworks.com/w/page/30033215/Digital-Story

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Social Media in the LMS

• Slideshare, Slideboom or Authorstream are social media applications that can be used by instructors or students to share Powerpoint Presentations.

• As an instructor, you could set up an assignment that allows students to research a topic and then share it with the class.

http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/lfechter-855693-gaview-assessments-for-ada-students/

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Social Media in the LMS

• The key to using social media in the LMS is finding the tools that work best for you and that engage the students in the content.

• Social media tools should add meaning to the content presented and should not be used primarily to add “flash” to a course.

• Engaged students are more apt to return to the online learning environment which ultimately equates to higher student retention.

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Questions?

Social Media in the LMS

• Resources:– http://mashable.com/2010/10/16/fre

e-social-media-tools-for-teachers/

– http://docs.google.com

– http://twitter.com/

– http://www.facebook.com/

– http://www.wikispaces.com/

– http://www.youtube.com/

– http://www.flickr.com/

– www.authorstream.com/

– http://microsoft-photo-story.en.softonic.com/

– http://voicethread.com/

– www.blogger.com/

– www.teachertube.com/

– Social Media in the Learning Management System

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Social Media in the LMS• References:

– Greer, J. (May 12, 2010) 5 Dos and Don’ts for College Students Using Social Media. Retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2010/05/12/5-dos-and-donts-for-college-students-using-social-media?PageNr=1

– Pearson, C. (2010-2011) Internet Insight Groups provides Internet and Social Media Services. Retrieved from: http://www.interactiveinsightsgroup.com/blog1/socialmediabeginnersguide/social-media-tools-101/#Blogs

– Rueben, R. (July, 2008) The Use of Social Media in Higher Education for Marketing and Communications: A Guide for Professionals in Higher Education. Retrieved from http://doteduguru.com/id423-social-media-uses-higher-education-marketing-communication.html

– Pedro, L. and Santos, C. (March 14, 2008) Social media tools and applications in Higher Education. Retrieved from: http://www.slideshare.net/csantos/social-media-tools-and-applications-in-higher-education

– Loiacono , Jessica. (May, 2011) Child Advocacy: Bullying Against LGBTQ Youth https://sites.google.com/a/georgiasouthern.edu/child-advocacy-lgbtq/home

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