Presenters will demonstrate how to utilize simple technologies and social media outlets to enhance connection to course concepts in an exciting, and multi-dimensional way. Attendees will interactively walk you through mediums students are already using, such as Text Messaging, Google, Pinterest, Youtube, etc. Creative ideas will be exchanged.
Today’s students are immersed in a media world that is quite different than the one many instructors were not. Research has shown that today's students learn in many different ways. Traditional and often one-dimensional online instructional methods such as lectures, reading, and writing, fail to cater to all learning styles or ignite excitement for most learners. As a result, students may become less engaged and motivated to complete the course (Allen & Seaman, 2011). The consequences of disengagement (e.g. withdrawal, poor grade earning) and psychosocial implications abound.
Models of distance education have evolved over the last few decades and are colliding with various social media technologies, thereby creating a need for more modern pedagogies (Friedman and Friedman (2013). Social media covers a wide variety of Web-based technologies such as blogs, wikis, online social networking, and virtual worlds . Integrating social media into the classroom can be an effective way to generate student interest and enthusiasm in traditional a wide array of subjects (Liu et al., 2009 ), as well as benefit students in their future jobs (Hovorka & Rees, 2009; McGurn, 2011). Students are also more likely to be engaged when classroom structures emphasize active learning, something researchers have found can be inspired using social media (Friedman & Friedman, 2013).
The goal of this interactive lab is to improve student engagement and motivation by bringing course concepts to life through the uses of social media and technology. Research will be shared about the above-mentioned emerging trends in education and student disconnect with traditional pedagogies, which is necessitating an increased need for fresh and relevant methods.
Presenters will demonstrate how to utilize simple technologies and social media outlets to enhance connection to course concepts in a stimulating, creative, and multi-dimensional way. A focus will be placed on mediums students are already using, such as Text Messaging, Memes, Pinterest, Youtube, Google, and other social media outlets. Participants will be shown tried and tested examples of course concepts that were transformed using the demonstrated technologies. Student testimonials will also be highlighted.
After walking through each technology with presenters on their own devices, participants will be split in teams, chose a sample topic, and design ways to teach it with the new tools. Innovative ideas will be shared amongst groups. Participants will leave the session with step-by-step instructions, specific examples and ideas, and have practiced setting up and utilizing various technologies and social media outlets.
Some of the technologies and media that will be highlighted:
- PollEverywhere:
Presenters will share a technology that allows students to interact in a way that they are comfortable… text messaging! PollEverywhere is a web 2.0 tool that utilizes SMS text messaging to collect and track responses in real time. It can be used in any stage of the group process: getting it started, monitoring progress, and assessment. Anonymous responses gives students a voice by providing a medium to express honest viewpoints without the fear of judgment. Participants will be shown how to create a wide variety of polls that will strengthen learners' connection to course topics.
- Meme Creation
Students definitely appreciate the humor elicited from online memes, so why not integrate them into your lesson plan? Participants will learn how to quickly create online memes and learn ways they can be utilized to augment arguably mundane lecture content. Presenters will learn how to bring theories and historical figures to life and encourage a synergistic exchange of participant ideas.
- Padlet
Padlet is an optimal tool for enhancing engagement with the instructor and students. Furthermore, students can work individually, in dyads, or in groups in the classroom or outside of the classroom. This private online tool allows students to collaborate effectively, see what other students are doing, and share their ideas with the instructor. Using Padlet allows instructors to stay FERPA compliant while still moderating their classroom in a third party platform conducive to group work. Padlet allows users to enter and exist easily once the instructor has been shared the link with their class. Using Padlet instructors can post critical thinking questions, scenarios for application, pictures, documents or videos and invite students ‘responses. Padlet allow instructors to customize the background and other features to reflect their personality and/or the personality of the class, further increasing course community and building cohesion.
- YouTube
Most students report spending a great deal of time watching YouTube videos. Presenters will show how instructors can use this popular form of social media in the classroom to enhance students collaboration; formulation, expression, and active discussion of viewpoints and current issues. Participants will learn how to create a class YouTube channel, record lectures, share video demonstrations and content-approved films, embed links, and set up creative ways to elicit student comments. Example student videos will be shown!
Participants will be armored with several innovative ideas that can be seamlessly integrated into their online or blended classes. Improved student motivation and engagement is a promise!
- Google Hangouts
The possibilities of using Google Hangouts in education are endless. With group members just a video call away, students can work on projects, discuss course concepts, share ideas with one another (even those out of state or country), and so much more. Body language and facial expressions are significant aspects of communication that can be lost in written communication. The face to face connection offered by hangouts allows students to forge more meaningful connections while sharing ideas simultaneously. This piece of the workshop will impart ways this medium can transform the group learning experience.
References:
Allen, I. E., & Seaman, J. (2011). Going the distance: Online education in the United States. Babson Survey Research Group and Quahong Research Group, LLC.
Friedman, L. and Friedman, H. (2013). Using social media technologies to enhance online learning. Journal of Educators online, 10, 1.
Hovorka, D. and Rees, M. J. (2009). Active collaboration learning environments: The class of Web 2.0, 20th Australasian Conference on Information Systems: ACIS 2009, Melbourne, Australia, December.
Liu, M., Kalk, D., Kinney, L., and Orr, G. (2009). Web 2.0 and its use in higher education: A review of literature, World Conference on E-learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education (ELEARN), October 26.
McGurn, W. (2011, November 1). What’s your kid getting from college? Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204394804577010080547122646.html