using social networking techniques to enhance online learning for deaf students
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Using Social Networking Techniques to Enhance Online Learning for Deaf Students. Cathy Clarke, Digital Media Specialist Simon Ting, Instructional Developer. Introduction . Why Social Networking?. ‘Multimedia Lessons for the Design Novice’. 2008 Technology Symposium presentation - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Using Social Networking Techniques to Enhance
Online Learning for Deaf Students
Cathy Clarke, Digital Media SpecialistSimon Ting, Instructional Developer
Introduction Why Social Networking?
2008 Technology Symposium presentation◦ Cathy Clarke & Simon Ting
Demonstrated multimedia tools and services on the web
Discussed potential classroom uses Now we are experimenting with ways to
integrate these tools with IdeaTools◦ IdeaTools: Course management system with
included suite of multimedia applications
‘Multimedia Lessons for the Design Novice’
A community of people Often with a shared interest or background Social Networking on the web is a group
connecting online◦ Status, actions and notifications◦ One person does something others in the group
know about it
What is a Social Network?
Two perspectives◦ Passing trend, something to do for fun◦ Communications channel—a way to connect
Can this be used in the classroom?◦ Being explored by developers and educators
Social Networking
Typical online course: static materials◦ Collection of handouts, articles, schedules, etc.
Social networking: interactive communication
Adding a layer of interactivity
Why Combine Social Networking with an Online Course?
Users can discuss, subscribe, and author◦ Building knowledge and content together
Getting users interested in the site, get them to return frequently
Why Combine Social Networking with an Online Course?
Demonstration of what is possible No solid proof that these tools improve
classroom/student experience
Quick Note
‘IdeaBox’Informal messages and interaction in a course
IdeaBox: What is it? Similar to Facebook or
Twitter updates Instructors and
students post short messages◦ Text◦ Video◦ Images◦ Links
Unique to each course Any course member who is logged in can
post Users can comment on other posts Instructor can delete/disable any post
IdeaBox: How it Works
IdeaBox: Ways to Use It Brief introductions Students post their
favorite artist, website, book, etc.
Course announcements
Links to relevant articles, videos, etc.
Students who want to contact other students
IdeaBox: Pros & Cons Benefits
◦ Encourage informal interaction and discussion
◦ Very easy to use◦ Secure, Private
Limited to the course instructor and members
Disadvantages◦ Discussions can get
off-topic◦ Little control over
what gets posted Instructor can delete
messages, but only after they’ve been posted for members to see
WordPress Blogging within a course
Open-source blogging platform Authors post text, pictures, videos Readers can comment on posts
Wordpress: What is it?
Installed on our server Linked to a course no duplicate logins Instructor decides how to use it
◦ Allow students to comment◦ Allow students to author posts◦ Create posts from within the course structure or
link to the blog as a separate environment
WordPress: How it Works
Arts of Expression blog◦ Students post
and get feedback on drafts of their memoirs
◦ Students post journal entries
WordPress: How it’s Used
link
Co-op Students◦ Share their
co-op experiences with students while they are away from campus
WordPress: How it’s Used
link
WordPress: Pros & Cons Benefits
◦ Encourage interaction◦ Students are authors◦ Plugins, widgets and
games Add entertainment value
◦ Secure, private Limited to the course
instructor and members◦ RSS, e-mail
notifications Get notified of new posts,
comments
Disadvantages◦ Permanence
Future of plugins, widgets, etc.?
◦ Getting used to new process Posting to the correct
category for better organization
ConclusionFinal thoughts
Students are already using social media We like adding it to an online course
because:◦ Engage user interest◦ Connect with users and share resources◦ Encourage interaction outside of the classroom
Caveats◦ Some schools block access to web◦ Not everyone is interested in experimenting with
social media
Final Thoughts
We are happy with these applications, hoping to see more instructors experimenting with them
We think users are more willing to try something when it’s integrated into their online course
What are your ideas or experiences? Any questions?
Final Thoughts
Our Next Presentation:◦ Video Communications Processes
in Online Courses Tomorrow, 11am LBJ-2590
Thank you!
Other Social MediaQuick overview
Microblogging◦ Twitter◦ Yammer
Video sharing◦ YouTube◦ Vimeo
Photo sharing◦ Flickr◦ Picassa
Other Social Media