The document discusses integrating social media into a learning management system (LMS) to facilitate collaboration and information sharing. It provides examples of social media tools that can be used, such as Google Docs for real-time collaboration, Twitter for announcements, Facebook for discussion forums, blogs for longer posts, and YouTube/Voicethread for embedding videos. The goal is to engage students with the course content by using familiar social media tools within the LMS.

1. Social Media in the Learning Management System (LMS) By David E. Lloyd and Louise Fechter Images were furnished by Google Images. 5/10/2011

2. Social Media in the LMS The purpose of integrating social media in the LMS is to provide another way of communication that allows users to easily share information. There are newer technologies available, like GoogleDocs which make it easier to collaborate and share text documents, spreadsheets and presentations. GoogleDocs can be used on multiple OS platforms and it can be accessed any where – any time!

3. Social Media in the LMS GoogleDocs can be accessed from a smart phone, laptop or desktop. Documents can be viewed in real time. There is no longer a need for multiple versions of documents. Real time editing features and instant messaging across the globe.

4. Social Media in the LMS In defining the social network, there are many social media applications that can be shared through the LMS. Some of these include: Twitter Google Docs Google Voice Google Chat/Talk Google Groups Facebook Youtube Teachertube Authorstream Authorpoint Lite Flickr Slideshare Slideboom Microsoft Photo Story Blogger or GAView Blog Tool Wikispaces Voicethread

5. Social Media in the LMS

6. Social Media in the LMS Twitter can be used to share a “status update” much like an announcement or a quick communication among a certain group or student population. Twitter is like a “mash-up” or mix of the blog forum and instant messaging.

7. Social Media in the LMS Facebook allows you to share “status updates,” as well videos and photos. Facebook allows you to keep up with friends, family and coworkers both locally and abroad. You could create an account for your class and create discussion group forums across sections for example. Recommendation : Keep your class Facebook account separate from your personal Facebook account.

8. Social Media in the LMS Another social media tool that is easily integrated in the LMS is the blogging tool. A blog is basically an electronic journal kept in chronological order that provides a history of postings which can be easily viewed. One of the more commonly used blogs today is called Blogger, which can be found at www. blogger .com or you may also find a blogging tool right in your LMS. Based on general instructor feedback, students tend to post more words per entry in a blog than they do a standard Discussion forum. Their postings also tend to be more thoughtful.

9. Social Media in the LMS If collaboration is the goal, Google Sites and Google groups can be used together to allow multiple users to collaborate on a project, share ideas and for the nontechnical user(s) develop new skills. The instructor set up Groups in GoogleApps and designed an assignment requiring each group member to contribute to their Google Sites page.

10. Social Media in the LMS https://sites.google.com/a/georgiasouthern.edu/child-advocacy-lgbtq/home This example was created in a recent Georgia Southern Counseling course by one of our graduate students.

11. Social Media in the LMS Youtube or Teachtube videos can also be incorporated into your course easily by using web links or the embed code. Here’s an example of a video that has been embeded into a Discussion Activity.

12. Social Media in the LMS Another audio/video tool that you could use is called Voicethread which can be found at voicethread .com/ . Voicethread allows users to participate in group conversations around images, documents and videos. In this exercise, students were instructed to create their own Voicethread introductions in the course. Here’s an example of a Voicethread that I created as my personal course http://voicethread.com/share/1276482/

13. Social Media in the LMS The ability to share photos is made easy through the use of tools like Flickr, Slideshare or Microsoft Digital Photostory. In this example, Microsoft Photo Story was used with Powerpoint slides and photos. Students were instructed to pick a topic within given limits and tell a story using photos and voiceovers. You can see where these story telling skills might be incorporated in a writing class or other disciplines. http://louisefechter.pbworks.com/w/page/30033215/Digital-Story

14. Social Media in the LMS Slideshare, Slideboom or Authorstream are social media applications that can be used by instructors or students to share Powerpoint Presentations. As an instructor, you could set up an assignment that allows students to research a topic and then share it with the class. http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/lfechter-855693-gaview-assessments-for-ada-students/

15. Social Media in the LMS The key to using social media in the LMS is finding the tools that work best for you and that engage the students in the content. Social media tools should add meaning to the content presented and should not be used primarily to add “flash” to a course. Engaged students are more apt to return to the online learning environment which ultimately equates to higher student retention.

16. Questions?

17. Social Media in the LMS Resources: http://mashable.com/2010/10/16/free-social-media-tools-for-teachers/ http://docs.google.com http://twitter.com/ http://www.facebook.com/ http://www.wikispaces.com/ http://www.youtube.com/ http://www.flickr.com/ www. authorstream .com/ http://microsoft-photo-story.en.softonic.com/ http://voicethread.com/ www. blogger .com/ www. teachertube .com/ Social Media in the Learning Management System

18. Social Media in the LMS References: Greer, J. (May 12, 2010) 5 Dos and Don’ts for College Students Using Social Media. Retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2010/05/12/5-dos-and-donts-for-college-students-using-social-media?PageNr=1 Pearson, C. (2010-2011) Internet Insight Groups provides Internet and Social Media Services. Retrieved from: http://www.interactiveinsightsgroup.com/blog1/socialmediabeginnersguide/social-media-tools-101/#Blogs Rueben, R. (July, 2008) The Use of Social Media in Higher Education for Marketing and Communications: A Guide for Professionals in Higher Education. Retrieved from http://doteduguru.com/id423-social-media-uses-higher-education-marketing-communication.html Pedro, L. and Santos, C. (March 14, 2008) Social media tools and applications in Higher Education. Retrieved from: http://www.slideshare.net/csantos/social-media-tools-and-applications-in-higher-education Loiacono , Jessica. (May, 2011) Child Advocacy: Bullying Against LGBTQ Youth https://sites.google.com/a/georgiasouthern.edu/child-advocacy-lgbtq/home