This document discusses an approach to education called "Hipster Learning" which prepares students for jobs that may not yet exist by focusing on developing a flexible mindset and emphasizing skills like coding, problem solving, and learning new technologies. It provides examples of curriculum approaches used at Texas State University that engage students with hands-on projects, social media, and current events. The document also shares stories of successful graduates from the program now working in digital roles at companies like The New York Times and SXSW.

1. Hipster Learning
Cindy Royal, Ph.D.
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Texas State University
cindyroyal.com
Find this presentation at slideshare.net/cindyroyal
Accompanying video at youtube.com/watch?v=-DwXWXyQot8

2. Hipster Learning
• Students must learn current concepts,
but also must be prepared to grasp new
ideas and apply them in their
workplaces
• Today's students are preparing for jobs
that don't exist yet, and graduates are
expected to be immediately productive
in defining and shaping these new
roles.
• Social media editors
• Community managers
• Programmer/developer roles in
communication companies
• Communicators in tech-related companies

3. Questions
• How can students best prepare to work in an environment
that requires flexibility and innovation?
• How can we help students develop a mindset for learning
rather than an emphasis on specific tool training or a
particular skill set?
• How can anyone apply this model throughout a career?

4. Realities
• Computers will be a part of any media career and most
other careers
• Social media is not just something you do for fun.
• People will get information in a variety of embedded and
atmospheric ways.
• Coding is becoming an
important literacy.
• Data, data everywhere.
• Game dynamics will inform
storytelling.
• Things change. Rapidly.

5. Experience Learning
• SXTXState.com

6. Experience Learning

7. Experience Learning
• SXTXStories.com

8. Experience Learning

9. Experience Learning
• TXStateofChange.com

10. Experience Learning
HTML/CSS, Drupal,
JavaScript, JQuery, Google
Chart Tools, ManyEyes,
HighCharts.com, Google Earth
and various visual tools to work
with multimedia including
Photoshop, iMovie, Premiere
Pro and Final Cut

11. Other Curriculum Approaches
• Courses cover the realm of
conceptual/theoretical to basic skills to
advanced tech; emphasis on making things
• Balance emphasis on communication,
design and development in projects
• Engagement with social media; blogs,
Twitter, Facebook…
• Attention to current events in tech

12. Other Curriculum Approaches
• Focus on judgment, problem-solving and
troubleshooting
• Attention to media as a platform
• Faculty development
• Professional community ties
• Publication in online venues; present at
conferences; encourage students to do the
same

13. Other Approaches
• Partner with other departments; use interdisciplinary
approaches
• Become comfortable in a learning environment; ok to say
I don’t know, but we can figure it out.
• Constant updating of course
and curriculum
• Develop a support group
within your faculty; bounce
ideas, check in with each other
• Design Thinking – brainstorm
ideas, encourage creativity
• Don’t wait. Just do it.
• Model behaviors for students.

14. Professional Hiring
• Aron Pilhofer – Executive Editor of Digital for The
Guardian, formerly Associate Managing Editor for Digital
Strategy at New York Times
• In recruiting he looks for a mindset.
• Adapt, look ahead and not being afraid to constantly
question

15. Maira Garcia
• Web Editor at
The New York Times
• Statesman, Social Media Editor
• Undergrad and Grad at TXST
Jackie Baylon
• Web Editor, The New York
Times
• Digital First Media, NYC,
News Producer
• Undergrad TXST

16. Megan Kilgore
• Digital Marketing Manager, Capital Area
Food Bank
• Grad at TXST
Anna Tauzin
• Manager of Digital Innovation,
National Restaurant Association
• In DC, after completing master’s
at American University
• Undergrad TXST

17. Josh Shepherd
• Engagement Manager, Spredfast
• Interactive Manager and Strategist,
MOSAK Advertising and Insights
• Grad at TXST
Shannon Delaney
• Digital Marketing Specialist,
MOSAK Advertising and Insights
• Grad at TXST

18. Jordan Viator Slabaugh
• Director, Strategy, Social & Content at
LiveWorld
• Director of Marketing & Social Media,
Spredfast
• Previously, Director of Social Media,
Convio
• Undergrad and Grad at TXST
Andrew Waldrup
• Product Manager, Spredfast
• Previously Social Support, also Culture
Evangelist
at Gowalla
• Undergrad TXST

19. Mairin Heard
Tina Phan
• Social Media Specialist,
HomeAway
• Undergrad and Grad TXST
• On winning team, Austin Social Media
Awards 2013
• Multimedia Producer, Austin
American-Statesman
• Undergrad TXST

20. Ashley Hebler
• Junior Front-End Web Developer,
Volusion
• Grad at TXST
Doug Seliger
• Web Developer, NFP Advisor Svcs
• Junior Developer,
Mason-Zimbler
• Undergrad & Grad at TXST

21. Haley Peck
• Technical Account Manager,
Blackbaud
• Undergrad at TXST
Matt Slabaugh
• Interactive Designer,
Sparksight
• Undergrad at TXST

22. Kiana Fitzgerald
• Production Asst and Social
Media, NPR Music
• MA and Undergrad at TXST
Shawn Dullye
• Community Manager, SAP
• MA and Undergrad at TXST

23. Dee Kapila
• Technology Project Manager at The University
of Texas and Instructor at SkillCrush.
• Digital Strategist/Technology Consultant, The
University of Texas
• Grad at TXST
Kristin McCasland
• Web and Social Media Editor,
Rice University
• Undergrad and Grad TXST

24. Carly Hohl
• Project Manager, Trademark Media
• Undergrad and Grad at TXST
Kolten Parker
• Digital News Editor
• San Antonio Express News
• Undergrad TXST

25. Sarah Garcia
• SXSW, Senior Festival Programmer
• Undergrad and Grad TXST
Andrew McNeill
• SXSW, Festival Coordinator
• Also Staff Writer, 48 Min of Hell blog
• Undergrad TXST

26. Jon Zmikly
• Senior Lecturer, TXST
• Grad TXST
Dale Blasingame
• Lecturer, TXST
• Was Social Media Director, LeadHub
• Undergrad and grad, TXST