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 Presentation

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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

ideatools.rit.edu/demos/writing

IdeaBox: Demo

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

ideatools.rit.edu/demos/writing

WordPress: Demo

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