The document discusses the significance of Facebook as a social networking tool that enhances student engagement and fosters community among online learners. It provides statistics on Facebook usage among students and details how the HCC distance education department utilizes a Facebook fan page to connect with students, share important information, and promote events. Additionally, it notes the growth and engagement metrics of the Facebook page since its establishment in 2010.

1. Lesli Rowell, PhD, LPC Counseling Department Chair [email_address] 713-718-5278 Tiffany Bunch Student Services Associate [email_address] 713-718-5449 HCC Distance Education on acebook

2. “ Social” in today’s generation…

3. What is Facebook? Facebook is a social networking website and marketing tool that fosters engagement with students. Social Networking in Plain English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_KF7TYKVc A Facebook Fan Page allows students to follow businesses and connect in a way that they can’t through a website. Announcements Pictures Links Discussions Events

4. History of Facebook Launched in 2004 by Harvard student, Mark Zuckerberg Was originally offered to only Harvard students Eventually opened to all universities in US and Canada In 2006 it became available to anyone over age 13 Compete.com ranked Facebook “the most used social network by worldwide monthly active users” in 2009.

5. Facebook statistics More than 500 million active users 145% growth from 2009-2010 50% of active users log in every day 85% of college students use Facebook More than 1.5 million local businesses have Fan Pages Average user becomes a fan of 4 pages per month

6. Why is DE on Facebook? Social tools like FB are preferred by students and more widely used than email. Research shows that the more students engage in social networks, the more likely they are to learn. We want online learners to feel a sense of community. Facebook will help students know who we are and see who they talk to regularly. Every HCC college has a FB page.

7. CCSSE 2009 Survey Results CCSSE – The Community College Survey of Student Engagement “ Student engagement, or the amount of time and energy that students invest in meaningful educational practices, is the underlying foundation for CCSSE’s queries” (2009). Survey results found that 52% of students use social networking multiple times a day. The impact found was more connectedness

8. Facebook Features Remind students of deadlines Ex. Last day to drop a RT course is November 18 th . Promote events and student services throughout campus Ex. International Student Orientation Friday, August 13 th from 10am-1:30pm at 3100 Main. Provide information about DE Ex. “Get to know Dr. Levey” – give brief bio Provide updates when experiencing technical problems or possible emergencies Ex. Notify students when Blackboard is down

9. www.facebook.com/HCCDistanceEd

10. Facebook Analytics or “Insights” Insights show trends in: Number of users and their demographics Participation and page views Admin creation of content http://www.facebook.com/#!/insights/?sk=po_302556079515

11. DE Successes on Facebook Since established in March 2010, we now have 207 fans 40 monthly active users Average of 2 “likes” per day External referrers: 1 from Blackboard 2 from DE homepage: de.hccs.edu Expected to grow significantly after more purposeful marketing steps Faculty puts it into their BB class Student services and other colleges post

12. Other Types of Social Media Friendster (2002) – similar to Facebook MySpace (2003) – share music, photos, messages BEBO (2003) – “Blog Early, Blog Often” YouTube (2005) – video sharing website Twitter (2006) – “real time” updates in 140 characters Foursquare (2009) - aims to encourage people to explore their neighborhoods and then reward people for doing so LinkedIn (2010) – mainly used for professional networking Instant messaging – AIM, Gmail chat, FB chat

13. Instructional Faculty’s Role Become a fan, if you haven’t already Post the link, www.facebook.com/HCCDistanceEd , in your Blackboard class Participate: “ Like” something Make a comment Post an interesting link Once a fan, be respectful of social purpose of FB Social Networking in Real Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRsRLZiyH20

14. References History of Facebook- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook Facebook Statistics – http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics Why is DE on Facebook? - http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-11-16-ccsse16_ST_N.htm CCSSE Spring 2009 Survey Results (Sept. 2009) – Published by HCC Office of Institutional Research Other Types of Social Media- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_network_service