Using social media in your course: Free (or nearly free) tools to create great learning activities

Using social media in your course:

Free (or nearly free) tools to create great learning activities

Sally Byrd, M.A., M.Ed.Webmaster

College of Southern Maryland

Agenda

• Quick overview of these social media: blogs, wikis, social networks

• Examples of use in education• How to and resources

www.sallybyrdweb.com/socialmedia

What is Social Media?

From Wikipedia: “Social media are media for social

interaction, using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques. Social media uses web-based technologies to turn communication into interactive dialogues.”

That’s interesting…

And why should I care?

A Typical Day: Where social media use fits inThe percentage of adult internet users who do each activity in each age group

Source: Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, April 29‐May 30, 2010 Tracking Survey.

Blogs

Reaction: Making Movies in Science

http://year9reaction.wordpress.com

Science Unit: “In this unit in science we will be learning about chemistry, but we will also be making our own movies.”

Punya Mishra’s Web

http://punyamishra.com/

Instructor website: “These pages are an ongoing digital archive of much of my professional and some of my personal life.”

2009-2010 GMU Instructional Technology Immersion Program

http://immersion09.onmason.com

Graduate program team site created to share status reports, resources, and project information with our client.

Wordpress

• Free!• Easy to use (but powerful)• Flexible– Many themes to choose from (or make your

own)– Create a blog or a website

• Two options– www.wordpress.com – for blogs/sites hosted on

Wordpress– www.wordpress.org – to download Wordpress for

individual hosting

Wikis

English for Architecture and Urban Planning

http://id2-124-dg.pbworks.com

A blended course complemented with a wiki to share the syllabus, activities and exercises, a timetable, and student work.

2009-2010 GMU Instructional Technology Immersion Program

https://immersionfall09.pbworks.com

Team wiki used as a document repository to share group research and writing projects.

CMS@CSM

http://cmsatcsm.pbworks.com

Online community created for users of the web content management system at CSM to share training resources and documentation and provide a forum for discussion.

PBWorks

• Free!• Easy to use • Some theme choices – more with

paid plans (starting from $99/year)• Access controls for privacy/security

http://pbworks.com

Social Networks

National Art Education Association

“This network links teachers with a common bond: young children and art”

http://naeaelementarydivision.ning.com

Molecular Forces

“A social network for Chemistry and Physics Teachers to share ideas, ask questions and be nerdy.”

http://molecularforces.ning.com

eLatin eGreek eLearn

“Students and teachers of Latin, ancient Greek, and Classical literature can exchange ideas on the role of technology in the Classics classroom here.”

http://eclassics.ning.com

Ning

• Almost free! (Plans start at $20/year; next plan up is $200/year and is significantly more powerful )

• Many themes to choose from (or create your own)

• Moderation and privacy controls• Free 30-day trial

http://www.ning.com

What next?

Go to www.sallybyrdweb.com/socialmedia

for resources and links to get you started