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