Using Social NetworkingUsing Social NetworkingTools and Technologies toTools and Technologies to

Build a Community ofBuild a Community ofOnline LearnersOnline Learners

Shannon Ritter, Social Networks AdviserShannon Ritter, Social Networks AdviserPenn State World CampusPenn State World Campus

imagineimagine

the experiencethe experience

non-traditionalnon-traditionalstudents andstudents and

learninglearning

““learning togetherlearning together””

a sense ofa sense ofbelongingbelonging

communitycommunity

what wewhat we’’re doingre doing

HowHow’’s it going sos it going sofar?far?

Facebook Facebook Friends - 337Friends - 337

Twitter Followers - 107Twitter Followers - 107

Second Life Opening Second Life Opening –– 1/28/09 1/28/09

FlickrFlickr Views Views –– 2574 2574

YouTube Views - 2316YouTube Views - 2316

““it helps us feel connectedit helps us feel connected””

““we feel like part of thewe feel like part of theuniversity nowuniversity now””

““we feel like every otherwe feel like every otherstudent - like itstudent - like it’’s ours our

university toouniversity too””

questionsquestions