Course Overview:
Today we live in a world of instant communication and social networks. As student affairs professionals we must be sure to meet students where they are at and know how to effectively use these on-line tools in order to:
- connect with our students
- connect them to the institution and our events
- connect them to the resources that we provide
This course will provide you a basic introduction to social networks and other on-line resources such as blogs and wikis and how to implement their use effectively in order to reach out to students and share what we have to offer.
Course Outline:
Week 1: Basic overview of available technology and social networking resources and websites
- Facebook/MySpace
- Twitter
- Blogs
- Wikis
- Podcasts
Week 2: Utilizing these resources effectively
- Communicating with students
- Creative advertising and marketing of events and resources
- Connecting students to your institution/office/organization
Week 3: Developing a strategy for implementation
- Where to start
- What resources are the most effective for different purposes
- How to connect them to your college's website
- How to make them user friendly
- Things to be careful of when using on-line tools
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course participants will be able to:
- Gain a better understanding of available social networking and on-line tools for connecting with students.
- Understand how to connect on-line resources to make a better user experience for students.
- Develop a strategic plan for implementing the use of on-line tools and resources effectively for students based on your organization's needs.
Participant Expectations:
Participants should expect to devote about 4-5 hours during each of the three weeks of the course in order to make a solid contribution to the class. Assignments will include selected readings and discussions. This is a discussion-based course that is dependent upon each student being prepared to be open and honest with regard to their views of the material. Active participation in the discussion board will significantly enhance the learning experience and help bring the course material to life. User accounts with a variety of social networking sites are encouraged either before or during participation in the course. All memberships will be free to users.
Instructor Bio:
Matt Miller is the Assistant Director of Student Involvement and Leadership at Bridgewater State College in Bridgewater, MA.
Matt earned a BA in Economics from Drew University in Madison, NJ and a MS in Applied Educational Psychology specializing in College Student Development and Counseling from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Matt is an active volunteer in the Northeast Region of the National Association for Campus Activities. Matt has done numerous presentations about appropriate use of Facebook for student leaders at NACA conferences and for students at BSC. Matt oversees technology resources as part of his current position.
