Good social networing habits gives students opportunities to learn from a various sources, not just books or class work. Social media give students and opportunity to connect and share ideas through pictures or links world wide. The Teacher/Student interatction is enhanced with a question and answer at any time by loging on.
Social networking is important in the online classroom today if we want to have a "broader" connection with the student. I am concerned that without more "props" for online classes the student will not develop all the skills necessary to be successful in the workplace. The online social networking community has holes to fill if it wants to produce quality students that have good communication skills and work ethic, but it is moving in a good direction. In using social networking the student can work with others, embrace the importance of professional behavior and understand that working with other people is important to be successful on the job. Social networking, in the right environment, can help develop those needed skills.
Technology plays a huge role in our society today. We need to connect with student on all possible levels. If this is the way they communicate then it is also a great to reach out and communicate with them on their level...if you will. For some reason most students would much rather communicate through text messages, social networks then speaking to a Live person. Social networking helps them communicate with their peers and mentors and it's readily accessible.
Miriam,
I agree. Students must be held to that standard. That is an expectation of professionalism.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Miriam,
Don't you think we read into messages what we think are the nonverbals. There is a Youtube clip called the delusions of email. I will see if I can find it and share.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Yes, communication etiquette "netiquette" should be a requirement, which students should master, prior to taking online classes. A separate course or tutorial should be a requirement for online courses for both faculty and students.
When conducting face to face interactions, one can see body language and interpret meaning from non verbal cues. However, when online interactions are occurring, the writing is all that we can go on, thus we take the written message literally. Perhaps, in time, as one gets to know their online students better, it is possible to read between the lines.
Virginia,
We have treat social media with caution and professionalism. It is important to understand the professional implications of social media. Good post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Virginia,
You are right, we have to educate students in the correct way to incorporate social media into their professional lives.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Virginia,
You make such a great point. If students are comfortable with the medium, it will empower them to engage in the discussion.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Edward,
You make a GREAT point. Social media is just a tool. How one uses the tool determines the outcome.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Angela,
Great post. Yes, the problem we can "scrub" our past online. It can haunt us!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Aisling,
Do you think it is a good media to develop the classroom relationships? I am debating on how to use it effectively.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Amy,
Good point. It is important to make students see the implications of their social networking actions. Employers are looking. . . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Doni,
This is true. An online course is an convenient way to incorporate those "life" lessons.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Shenita,
Great point. That knowledge can be a byproduct of the learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have to agree with you about the anonymity of the social media scene. It is for this exact reason that many with less than desirable motives are "lurking" in social sites. One needs to be mindful of this and tread cautiously.
It is important for students to make solid connections on social media. But new visitors to the world of online interaction need to be aware that what they are posting is viewable by anyone, anywhere and can be used for purposes not intended by the author. The best advice is given in today's lesson--think twice (perhaps three times) before posting to the social media sites.
You make some very important points. "Students use social media day in and day out to interact with their peers and even teachers about class-related subjects." This is important because in our online world connections can be made that impact the classroom. An instructor can reach out to the student in an environment that is both familiar and welcome.
Social networking is increasingly becoming an important part of a growing list of professions. From viral marketing campaigns to networked intellectual communities to wider collaboration and information-sharing, social networking can have an expansive and unique set of roles in a professional context. Like most technological innovations, social networking is neutral, with the potential to be abused to spread negativity and harm but, also, with the potential to make positive, constructive connections benefiting industry and individual alike. Students who graduate with a familiarity, ease, and savvy knowledge of social networking have a significant advantage in the digital era we live in.
