Harry,
True, you have to able to model it!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hi Everyone,
I feel it is very important for students to develop good social networking habits as this method of communication will likely continue to grow and expand. Over the last 5-7 years, use of social media platforms have grown rapidly. Concepts and tools that were completely unknown 10 years ago are second nature to people as young as toddlers today.
With this shift, students need to be well versed in how to communicate and utilize new social tools. Students need to also understand the pros and cons of utilizing social networking so they can adjust the types of information they share.
Thanks, Shannon L. Baxa, MS, RHIA, PMP
This is one way of connecting with students that most are familiar with and find no to be intimidating.
Richard,
You are so right. Now there are companies that will look for information on social media such as a credit bureau. The scarey thing is they look for and keep information on subjects for up to seven year.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Greetings,
It is important for students to learn netiquette and the role of social networking - both professionally and personally. Most recruiters now review social networking sites as a screening tool for candidates. Students have to recognize that they have a personal brand that impacts the way their relational network and opportunities develop. By learning quality netiquette, they have an opportunity to keep a quality reputation for their brand.
Also, certain industries have restrictions on what employees are allowed to post. (Traders, medical profession, educators, etc.) If students are interning or working, and post inappropriate content, they can lose opportunities or their job. Personally, I've had to fire board members and employees within different business/nonprofit positions when their social media postings were inappropriate.
So, as a faculty member, it's important to guide students in how-to leverage social networking in appropriate ways.
Thanks,
Rick Yngve
Joan,
Great post! Social media is not going away so it is imperative that we educate students professionalism in the media.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think good social networking habits will serve students well in multiple arenas, i.e, educational, networking, and socially. In addition,communication skills, knowledge of studied subject matter increases, and networking opportunities improve. These elements will follow students throughout their program and careers.
DIANA ,
Great point. It does take further steps in engaging the student with more focus.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I like your response! The World Wide Web is an important tool in our learning process. I believe social media may take things a step further when discussing specific topics related to a course.
Valerie,
I agree, developing strong expectations regarding social media will help students to develop their own social media standards that will meet professional expectations. Good post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Developing good social networking habits in the classroom will help student in real life situations - they may understand the issues with regards to posting in larger public communities. Recruiters and HR Professionals often scour social media sites about candidates - so the good social media habits may pay off in the long run in terms of professional goals.
Rebecca,
Great point. It is a globalized world. With all of this media, writing is still a very important skill!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Rebecca,
You make a great point. I work with the professional development area of my college and we encourage are students to develop their professional persona in areas such as LinkedIn and to think about what they put in Facebook. It is interesting that there is now an issue with employers asking for Facebook credentials. . . . hmmmm. . . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
William,
I agree that we have to "plug" into the media that is current. We have to help shape professional behavior when using those new types of media.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
That's a great point, Miriam. I teach composition, and I try to help students understand that their primary method of communication will be through writing. Gone are the days when one can get by with being able to talk one's way out of or into situations! Students are going to have to be adept at writing and communicating through written media if they are going to be successful in the globalized world.
Students need to develop good social networking habits because it is a use of technology that is here to stay. While we may bemoan the prevalence of social networking and complain about how it has caused everyone to engage in sharing everything online, the fact is that we will not be going back to a time when it was not used.
To ensure that students use this tool to enhance their personal growth and development, then, it is up to use as educators to give them opportunities to play around with the tools that are available and learn how to make them work for more than sharing one's lunch.
For example, sites such as LinkedIn and other professional sites can be invaluable in finding a job or connecting with people who can help you grow in your chosen career. Students should know how to use those sites appropriately.
While many students have Facebook presence, they may not see that their Facebook postings can influence a future employer. Learning the ins and outs of social networking may help them better modify their personal postings so that they do not jeopardize a budding career.
Rebecca Coleman
It is a new and changing language that people(students) have adopted. We as educators need to stay in touch with our students in any media that is current.
Gwendolyn,
What great observations. This may be the way we teach students the skill of networking in a more f2f setting.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
krystal,
You make such a great point. We do have to look at ways to engage students. Networking is a problem with many of our students.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Guerda,
You make a great point. I agree, if students are in facebook, we need to looking at leveraging that technology for learning. I want students learning anytime, anywhere, with any device. That may mean that we as educators have to learn some new "tricks".
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
