Social media tools are widely used by colleges but use varies. A survey found that YouTube was the most popular and 70% of respondents felt tools enhanced learning. However, some had privacy and distraction concerns. Blogs, microblogs, multimedia sharing, and digital curation were discussed as tools with benefits for learning when used appropriately. Risks like privacy issues must be considered.

1. for Learning &Teaching
Social Media19/6/2014
Using the
Cloud

2. http://www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/scotland
support@rsc-scotland.ac.uk
@RSCScotland
Mail List – bit.ly/rsc-info

3. Using Blogs & Micro-blogs
Media SharingTools
Curating Web Resources
Social Networking
Outline

4. ETNA: Use of Social Media tools
› Social media tools are widely available across colleges
(although some tools are blocked)
› There is a notable variation in use of the tools with
YouTube identified as the most popular tool
› 70% of academic respondents agreed that the use of
social media tools enhances the quality of the learning
experience
› Some respondents felt that tools were a distraction and
should remain in the social space of learners
Social Media Use in Scottish FE - http://bit.ly/ETNAsocialmedia

5. Snapshot of current uses
› Lagging behind – Facebook; Blogs; Wikis;Twitter
–Facebook – divided opinions
–e-Safety
» ETNA 2012 Key Findings Report
Learners actively use it.
Good to use popular tool for
learning
Uneasiness around using
personal/non-college tools
with learners
ETNA 2012 Key Findings Report - http://bit.ly/ETNA2012

6. Blogs
• Online journal with chronological posts that are also
searchable
• Commenting facility
• Other media can be easily incorporated (e.g. video or
images)
• Excellent tool to encourage reflection
• Records distance travelled
• A good tool for building up evidence
Blogs

7. Use of Blogs at CumbernauldCollege
HNC Creative Industries students at
Cumbernauld College
Mixture of written work (theory) put in context
with student generated content such as videos,
blogs, images etc
Feedback transparent & linked to LO.
Feedback becomes a conversation with tutor.
Students also reflected on work and provide
constructive feedback to others.
Jisc RSC Scotland Case Study - http://www.rsc-scotland.org/?p=925
Case Study

8. Micro-blogs
• Post small pieces of digital content (maximum number of
characters)
• Posts followed (by friends, colleagues, students)
• Instant publication with few restrictions
• Portable tool which feels organic and spontaneous
• Good collaboration and information sharing tool
• Can encourage reflection, peer review with the potential
to enrich
learning experiences
Micro-blogs -Twitter

9. Multimedia sharing
• Photo sharing – Flickr
• Video sharing –YouTube,Teacher tube
• Presentation sharing – Slide Share
Multimedia sharing

10. http://bit.ly/GEjKTI
Icons by http://dryicons.com
Jisc RSC Scotland Case Study - http://www.rsc-scotland.org/?p=232
Case Study

11. Digital Curation
»Select & organise topic based, searchable collections
using online tools

13. › Enables storing, organising &
sharing favourite websites
› Meaningful keywords added
so collections are searchable
› Bookmarks can be shared with
students or colleagues
› Sets of resources can be
presented in visually
stimulating formats
Benefits of Digital CurationTools

14. Facebook -What is it ?
»Facebook is a global
social network used by
12.1% of the world’s
population. (1)
»It’s popularity is
defined by the
opportunities it gives to
its users to
communicate,
collaborate and share
in a way that has never
been possible before.
(1) (2012) Internetworldstats.com accessed Decmeber 2013
Image form Flickr by ideamediagirl licensed through CC

15. Why use facebook?
Image form Flickr by owenbrown licensed through CC
» It is fast becoming the preferred method of communication
» It is accessible from any internet enabled device
» It is easy to use
» Learners are familiar with the interface and functionality
» Supports collaborative and creative work practices
» Supports the development of digital literacy skills
» A vehicle for advocating safe and responsible use of internet
technologies

16. Image form Wikimedia Commons
http://www.rsc-scotland.org/?p=2163
Case Study

17. Drawbacks of Facebook
Image form Flickr by owenbrown licensed through CC
»Learners / staff could be subject to inappropriate
behaviours
»Blurring private / personal both for learners and staff
»Potential for personal information to be compromised
»Additional learning platform to support
»Steeper learning curve for staff
»Perception of high e-Safety risk
»Facebook changes to privacy settings / defaults

19. Reviewing your privacy settings

20. Useful Links
Facebook for Educators (PDF):
http://fbhost.promotw.com/fbpages/img/safety_resources/ffeclg.p
df
JISCLegal – Facing up to
Facebook: http://jiscleg.al/FacinguptoFacebook
Facebook Safety: https://www.facebook.com/safety/
Pages and Groups:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wellington-College-History-
Department/483441971728348
https://www.facebook.com/ubcgeography?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/mrfordsclasslearning?fref=ts

21. Things to consider…
eSafety & Facebook
Carry out a risk assessment for Facebook usage
Establish an AUP for Facebook usage
Establish a clear take down policy
Data Protection & Facebook
Ensure staff know about fair and lawful use of personal data
Make learners aware of DP using Facebook
Ensure learners know how to protect their privacy
Offer learner’s alternatives to using Facebook
Copyright & Facebook
Establish a clear policy on copyright ownership at the outset
Raise awareness with staff & learners on the risks of copyright infringement
Accessibility & Facebook
Make reasonable adjustments for learners with additional needs
Make staff aware of their accessibility obligations
Promote and aid accessibility throughout your institution

22. http://www.scoop.it/t/e-safety-e-safeguarding

23. Benefits
Social Media applications are easy to use and and can be easily accessed online
using a browser
Modernises the curriculum with many already being used by young people - Can
communicate with students outside class time
Increases choice and the scope for personalisation & learner autonomy
Improves possibilities for deeper & reflective learning
Supports collaboration & communication (tutor to student & student to student)
Largely free or very inexpensive & inherently scalable
Benefits

24. Limitations
Limitations
Information overload: difficult to keep track of multiple posts
Students may not like overlap between private and educational tools (e.g social
networking sites)
Can be time-consuming to moderate tools
Need to make students aware of inappropriate use and e-Safety issues
Awarding Bodies require to have confidence in systems

25. Things to consider….
Start with one tool – work on that and add others later!
Consider what tools will be appropriate for your subject and student group
Use the tools to engage with peers/colleagues
Think quality rather than quantity
Things to consider…

26. Find out more…
Contact Jisc RSC Scotland
support@rsc-scotland.ac.uk
www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/scotland
@RSCScotland
Mail List - http://bit.ly/rsc-info
Except where otherwise noted, this
work is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND