The document provides guidance for teachers on using social media for educational purposes. It recommends thinking about P.O.S.T. - People, Objectives, Strategies, and Technologies. It defines social media and assesses its value in terms of reach, accessibility, usability, and immediacy. It then gives examples of how an online education program called YIEP uses social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Skype and blogs to communicate course information and host webinars. Safety is emphasized and next steps are outlined for teachers and students to get involved online.

2. USING ONLINE TOOLS TO
FOSTER OFFLINE ACTION
A Teacher’s Guide to Social Media in Education
ELIZABETH MÉTRAUX
Digital Coordinator,YIEP Online
Communications Coordinator, PH International

3. SECTION 1
EXPLORING
SOCIAL MEDIA

4. WANT TO CONNECT? THINK P.O.S.T.
People
Objectives
Strategies
Technologies

5. WANT TO CONNECT? THINK P.O.S.T.
People
Objectives
Strategies
Technologies

6. WANT TO CONNECT? THINK P.O.S.T.
People
Objectives
Strategies
Technologies

7. WANT TO CONNECT? THINK P.O.S.T.
People
Objectives
Strategies
Technologies

8. WANT TO CONNECT? THINK P.O.S.T.
People
Objectives
Strategies
social
Technologies
media

9. WANT TO CONNECT? THINK P.O.S.T.
People
Objectives
Strategies
social
Technologies
media

10. WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA?
Social media refers to any Internet-based application that
enables the creation and exchange of user-generated content.

12. ASSESSING THE VALUE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Reach Social media technologies provide scale
capable of reaching a global audience in a
decentralized, less hierarchical, and are
distinguished by multiple points of production
and utility.

13. ASSESSING THE VALUE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Accessibility Social media tools are generally available to the
public at little or no cost.

14. ASSESSING THE VALUE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Usability Social media production does not require
specialized skills and advanced training. In
theory, anyone with access can operate the
means of social media production.

15. ASSESSING THE VALUE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Immediacy Social media is capable of virtually
instantaneous responses; only the users
determine any delay in response.

16. CREATIVE USES OF SOCIAL MEDIA

18. Coffee break

19. SECTION II
YIEP ONLINE

22. Facebook will be our
primary means of
communication to post
news, information,
announcements about
lesson modules, upcoming
events and online
presentations. All updates
to Facebook will also
appear on Twitter at
#yieponline

23. Both YouTube and Skype
will be used for video
conferencing with expert
trainers and to host
webinars related to the
content of our curriculum.

24. The YIEP blog will be the
central place that trainers
communicate the content
of the modules. All newly
added modules will be
announced via Facebook
and Twitter.
www.yieponline.blogspot.com

25. SAFETY
SAFETY
SAFETY

26. NEXT STEPS
1. Get yourself and your students online! Content and info is
already being posted.
2. The “formal” program will begin in late January, with
dates of classes and webinars accessible on the blog.
3. Stay in touch with program staff! If you need anything as
we get the program started, please please let us know.