digital identity and student empowerment in a changing landscape mikhail a. valentin, 2014 faculty...
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Digital Identity and Student Empowerment in a Changing LandscapeMIKHAIL A. VALENTIN, 2014 FACULTY OF THE FUTURE CONFERENCE, BUCKS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Web 2.0 and Social Media
Features of Web 2.0 – dialogue and the creation of user-generated content within a virtual community.
Social Media is described as “a group of internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0…” (Kaplan & Haenlein)
Popular platforms:
Tumblr
Linked In
A Changing Landscape
Dropping retention rates.
Students transferring 2-3 times over the course of their academic careers.
“Increasing Differentiation of Higher Education”
Distance & eLearning
iTunes U
MOOCs
Changing of the “Traditional” Student
Universal Access to Information
Our Students
The Changing “Traditional” Student
More than sixty percent of our students are over 25 and…
Over sixty percent are working full-time while pursuing a degree.
Majority having access to:
The Internet
Smartphones
Social Media
A “Connected” World
Social Media has become a dominant platform for communication:
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Ability to connect with large audiences.
Most of these connections are superficial.
Media Literacy in a Digital Age
Media literacy has changed.
Digital Literacy
Adaptability
In the Classroom
Most students have smartphones.
Many deeply invested in social media.
Most are not using social media intentionally or responsibly.
A Case Study
Capstone course for Studio Art majors.
Art & Design Seminar – Designed to build a portfolio.
ePortfolio is central.
Art & Competency
Portfolio demonstrates:
Problem Solving
Aesthetic Sensibility
Marketability
What Was Missing?
Students saw the ePortfolio as an isolated project.
Did not understand the concept of digital footprints.
Needed help with speaking to an audience.
Solution
Use open platforms for publishing and communication between students.
Design activities and prompts that help them better understand audience.
Build on their media literacy by making them use multiple platforms.
Emphasize “digital file keeping” as a primary virtue of staying connected to ones work and experience. (self-curation)
The Result
Real life examples.