A Simple guide to how Games Technology at Staffordshire University use social media to connect and communicate with students.

1. How Games Design uses Social Networking Games Design Lecturer Games Technology Group C160 – Beacon Building, Stafford Campus E-mail: [email_address] Uni Blog: http://blogs.staffs.ac.uk/nhw1/ Twitter: @wormella Google Wave: wormella@googlewave.com Hello, My name in Nia And I use the Internet a little bit too much! If it’s a social network there’s a good chance I’m already registered on it Just search for Nia Wearn or Wormella and say hello!

2. How Games Design uses Social Networking Courses overview - 9 Different, intertwined awards - 7 Undergraduate (2 in validation stages) - 2 Postgraduate approx 500 students Almost all are male and fall in the 18-24 category All of them very Internet savvy Larger awards have multiple groups of 40 Everyone is on campus during term time but don’t have many classes together - Important to keep them engaged all year - Industry moves quickly - Software Updates constantly - Communication skills are key

4. How Games Design uses Social Networking Nings for Work and Play Blackboard’s great but underpowered for what we need it for – group work etc Using Free personalised Social networks with Ning.com , in conjunction with Blackboard, We’ve used the to manage and asses 2 nd and 3 rd year modules – with great success We now have a Ning open to all students and one to communicate within the teaching staff of the Games Technology Group