This document discusses changing perceptions of social networking and how it can be used in higher education. It provides an overview of various social media tools and statistics on their usage. It also examines student experiences and perceptions of social networking as well as how universities are currently using social media for marketing, communication, and learning. Practical ideas are presented for how universities could further utilize social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs.

1. Changing Perceptions: Social NetworkingSue Beckingham and Jayne EvansSheffield Hallam UniversityYorkshire Regional AUA Conference Nov 2009University of Sheffield

2. A Procrastinator’s Paradise? or… A Constructive Community for the Cyberliterate?

3. an understanding of the term Social Media and what Social Networking means todayan overview of the current thinking about the use of Social Networking and Social Media in Higher Educationan insight in to the current student experience of Social Media andsome practical ideas on how Social Media may be used in university. The aims of this session will be to provide:

4. It is a term that is used to describe the various activities that integrate social interaction with mobile and internet technology, where users interact by sharing and discussing information.What do we mean by Social Media?

5. No longer constrained to a desktop PC….Portable mobile technology:Laptops, Netbooks, Smart Phones, PDAs,

6. Social networking: Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Bebo, Friendster, Orkut.Social bookmarking: Delicious, Diigo, Stumbleupon.Social news: Digg, Reddit.Social photo/video sharing: YouTube, Flickr, Twitpic.Social Media

7. Blogs and online journals: Wordpress, Typepad, Blogger, LiveJournalMicroblogging: Twitter, Tumblr, PlurkInstant Messaging: MSN, AIM, QQSocial Media cont…

8. Emerging Learning technologies: changing the way we learn and share information and the way we network.Social Media and EducationCreated using www.wordle.netEducause Series: 7 Things You Should Know About...http://www.educause.edu/7Things

9. 1 in every 11 mins. of online activity is dedicated to Social MediaSocial Networks and Blogs are now the 4th most popular online activity67% of the global online population visits Social Networks and Blogs78% trust other consumers' recommendations on BlogsMobile usage of Social Networking has grown by 249% in the UK and 156% in the USSource: LexisNexisAnalytics White Paper - The Influencer IndexFinding influence: uncovering the brand conversations that matter in the new media world Facts

10. What's out there? Web 2.0 Tools Definition: The second generation of the World Wide Web in which content is user-generated and dynamic. Web 2.0 encourages collaboration and communication between users.

11. Question: What are your feelings/perceptions of Social Networking?

12. Defined as web based services that allow individuals to:Construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded systemArticulate a list of other users with whom they share a connectionView and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the systemBoyd and Ellison 2007Michigan State UniversitySocial Network Sites

13. Connections can be based onSpecific interestsGeneral interestsSport, Music, Books, Religion, Travel, Art, Online Games....

14. Something for all agesDaily Visitors Official Min Age Requirement http://www.wolframalpha.com/

15. International

16. Personal InterestsSueJayne

17. Global Top 10: May 2009Accessed 4/5/09www.alexa.com

18. Global Top 10: September 2009Facebook up 1 placeAccessed 6/9/09www.alexa.com

19. Global Top 10: November 2009Facebook up 1 place Accessed 1/11/09www.alexa.com

20. UK Top 10US Top 10Accessed 1/11/09www.alexa.com

21. International Top 10Accessed 1/11/09www.alexa.com

22. GrowthOfcom: The Communications Market Report 2009

23. Can it be true?Social Media Revolution

24. Current thinking in some sectorsFulbright and Laworski 6th Annual Litigation Trends Report 2009

25. Student Union led discussions at Bournemouth University and University of West of EnglandCampaigns to ban Facebook“We put our TV project groups on Facebook to do our work and brainstorm for ideas – it’s not used for socialising, so this needs to be taken into consideration,” she said. “It’s much simpler to use than Outlook or email lists as it’s a conversation everyone can look at and review.”“I come into university at 9am in the morning to work on my dissertation, thinking that I’ve finally beaten the crowd to the computers, and I still can’t get to them because people are on Facebook!”Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) leaders also commented that they needed to use Facebook to contact their student groups as most students do not check their university emails

26. Concerns about time spent on FacebookEncourage student suggestionsdesignated easy-to-find "short stay" spotsincrease and promote wireless enabled areas to use their own laptops and web enabled phonessigns to limit use during busy timesCurrent thinking in HE

27. Facebook: Course AlumniTwitter: Tweet alerts to news reports, websites, journal papersYouTube: Video presentations, Animation clipsAcademics using Social Networking

28. Alumni BlogsSubject Specialist BlogsBlog directoriesTapping in to the wisdom of the crowdsHospitality Alumni Network74 blogs 117884 posts 1810941 comments

29. Learning and IT Services View“Sheffield Hallam prides itself on preparing students for the commercial world beyond study. Through using Google Apps, our students will become familiar with a set of tools which they are likely to encounter beyond their studies.” Aline Hayes, Director of Systems and Technology, Sheffield Hallam University"Google has far more resources and time to invest in developing email systems and collaborative tools than we do. With the money and time saved through the switch from our traditional in-house IT environment, we will be able to invest more in other areas where we can have a bigger impact in enhancing our students’ experiences.” Chris Sexton, Director of Corporate Information & Computing Service , University of Sheffield"Many students are already familiar with Google Mail from using it in their personal lives before they come to university and they have been extremely enthusiastic about the improved storage and user-friendly interface it delivers.”

30. Access to a free suite of messaging and collaboration tools including: Mail™ Docs™ Sites™ Chat™Coming soon: Google WaveGoogle Apps

31. Google WaveWhat is a wave?A wave is equal parts conversation and document. People can communicate and work together with richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more. A wave is shared. Any participant can reply anywhere in the message, edit the content and add participants at any point in the process. Then playback lets anyone rewind the wave to see who said what and when.A wave is live. With live transmission as you type, participants on a wave can have faster conversations, see edits and interact with extensions in real-time.

32. Social Media: from frivolous pastime to effective business tool?University presence on:TwitterFacebookYouTubeLinkedInMarketing

33. Who's using Twitter?Accessed: 1/11/09http://www.twitter.com

34. How is it being used?TweetsFollowingPublic events Library - student workshopsResearch newsPromote focus groupsChief Exec messagesPhD scholarshipsOpen Day - student feedback*Open Day visitorsOther UniversitiesStudent UnionHEFCENUSTimes HigherBritish LibraryLocal Council and individual CouncillorsStudent Accommodation

35. Socially using Facebook etcLearning and Teaching dialogic tools such blogs, wikis, social network sitesBut is there more? How are students using Social Media?

36. Rate my Professors: Over 6000 Schools, 1 million Professors, 8 million opinionshttp://www.ratemyprofessors.com/UCAS 'Yougo': Website where students can meet people doing their course or going to their unihttp://www.ucas.com/yougo/index.htmlThe Student Room: A-Z of UK Universitiesfacilitiesaccommodationnightlifeteaching qualitydiscussion threadshttp://www.thestudentroom.co.ukWhat else is out there?

37. A-Z of Universities and student written guidesOpen day CalendarDiscussion Board - Current number of discussion threads:University of Hull 414University of Huddersfield 394Leeds Met University 836University of Leeds 2143University of Sheffield 2169Sheffield Hallam University 924The Student RoomAccessed 17/10/09http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk

38. "Anyone doing Journalism?""Tell me about Leeds!""Enjoying uni but a bit lonely""Just need some help with stuff please""Find your flatmates""Why am I only enrolled on half my modules?""Football…Societies…Hockey…Start a band?""Is anyone going to Huddersfield?"Power of the Student Voice

39. Student engagement#FOF = Funding our future

40. Free online platforms to create your own social networkBlog toolDiscussion ForumProfileStaff Social Networks Enterprise microblogging

41. Employee profile

42. Discussion Board

43. Group collaborations

44. Access from mobile phone10 highlights of how universities are sharing information with students using social mediaHow could Universities use Social Media?Adapted from: Mashable The Social Media Guide http://mashable.com/2009/07/15/social-media-public-affairs/

45. 1. Gathering and sharing information

46. 2. Showcasing student and faculty work

47. Reporting an event using:Live streaming videoTwitterTypes of eventsOpen seminars or lecturesStudent led conferencesStudent sporting events 3. Providing a platform to broadcast events

48. 4. Emergency notificationHow many students choose to read their Facebook email over University?University of Minnesota

49. 5. Connecting peopleUniversity of Michigan65,709 Fans and growing…Sheffield Hallam University 4170 fans

50. Connecting directly with your audienceFacebookYouTubeBlogsTwitterRSS feedVideoand on site TVWho? 6. Producing, not just promoting"Blair lecture: one of many Family Weekend events"

51. 7. Creating a dialogue and communicating to studentsStudent blogs and public comment postsNorthumbria UniversityUniversity of Texas

52. 'Stanford Open Office Hours' comes to FacebookBegins with an introductory video from a faculty member inviting questions from participantsThey post questions and commentsIn subsequent weeksthe professor will answer questions ona second video44,355 fans8. Facebook Office Hours

53. 9. Coaching for the spotlight