Using social software in the MDE
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The document discusses the use of social software in the Master of Distance Education (MDE) program at the University of Maryland University College, highlighting its initiatives aimed at enhancing online education for part-time leaders and working adults. It covers various social media tools and platforms used for student support, content sharing, and collaborative learning, as well as lessons learned and recommendations for fostering community engagement. The presentation emphasizes the importance of adapting to student needs and the role of active leadership in creating an effective online learning environment.
Using social software in the MDE
- 1. Using social software in the MDE Dr. Stella Porto Master of Distance Education Graduate School of Management & Technology University of Maryland University College http://www.slideshare.net/sporto/using-social-software-in-the-mde
- 2. Agenda • Focus of this presentation • Introduction Background & context • The Social Software experience in the MDE Our activities Lessons learned Synergy and future • Final remarks
- 3. Focus of this presentation The MDE focus on developing managers and leaders in the areas of e-learning & distance education within different settings, including: K-12, higher-education, corporate, non-profits, government and military. This presentation discusses a set of MDE initiatives developed beyond classroom instruction using social software tools.
- 4. Introduction: Context & Background – the MDE partnership
- 6. Introduction: Context & background: the program • Core competencies Managing the DE system in a Corporate variety of settings Training & Planning, budgeting, Learning development, delivery, and support of distance education and Faculty Media & distance training programs Support technology • Target Audience Potential managers of the Distance distance education enterprise in: Education Educational organizations Corporate / Business Instruction Higher Government & Military Design & Education Non-profit and associations Support • Entirely online for part-time Leaders & working adults Managers • International • Collaborative
- 7. Introduction: Institutional Student support • Enrollment management / Registrar Admissions Financial aid Registration Advising Graduation • Portal with self-services • Academic specialist within the department • Program director • Library • Office of disabilities
- 8. Social media: what it is
- 9. Social media: what it can do for us BEYOND instruction • Virtual communities: cultivate a blend of challenge and support Sharing beyond virtual classroom Social network Peer support Tools: any social network tool or online group tools • Sandbox for experiments, especially useful for distance educators Learning with technology Learning through technology Acquiring skills Developing technological competencies Tools: ALL
- 10. Social media: what it can do for us BEYOND instruction • Individual and collaborative means for producing and sharing content Generation of user content Building collective knowledge Tools: blogs, wikis, collaborative documents, etc. • Information diffusion and immediate feedback Immediate communication with stakeholders Collective feedback and appreciation Tools: blogs, social networking, wikis, … • Expanding knowledge in field of interest Sharing new information and utilizing new media Program-wide projects Tools: audio, video, and image tools, blogs, social networking, …
- 11. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite BLOGS WIKIS VIDEOS SOCIAL NETWORKING
- 12. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite: The MDE Hub The MDE Hub • The one-stop-shop for ALL MDE related information • Extremely flexible platform
- 13. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite: The MDE Blog The MDE Blog • Initially was the one-stop-shop for all MDE information • Now, works exclusively as a blog • One-way communication - no interaction
- 14. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite: The MDE Lounge The MDE-lounge • Real interaction • Privacy, listserv mode, discussion board, simple and not-invasive
- 15. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite: The MDE Faculty Forum The Faculty-forum • Management effectiveness • Privacy, listserv mode, discussion board, simple and not-invasive
- 16. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite: The MDE wiki The MDE wiki on new technologies • Knowledge-base • Information sharing • Meta-learning
- 17. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite: The MDE capstone wiki The MDE capstone wiki • Support for final capstone: e-portfolio & research project • Information sharing • Direct relationship with instruction
- 18. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite: The capstone tutorial The MDE tutorial • Support for e-portfolio • Precursor of the MDE capstone wiki • Direct relationship with instruction
- 19. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite: MDE Orientation The MDE orientation • Workshop with direct instructor-led support • Information sharing • Direct support to instruction
- 20. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite: The MDE internship program The MDE internship program • Getting your feet wet as a distance educator • Supporting the program • Engaging in action research
- 21. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite: The MDE Buddy Program The MDE buddy-system • Peer-support • Student initiative • Action research project
- 22. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite: social network services Presence in social networks • Connections with graduates and prospective students • Marketing
- 23. The MDE Student Support Social Media Suite: The MDE Itinerant Video The MDE Itinerant video project • Graduate initiative • Celebration of the 10th anniversary • Community involvement
- 24. Tools and more tools: Allison’s toolbox Who is Allison? Allison is an MDE 2008 graduate and an collaborator in the MDE network…
- 25. Learning lessons… There is a need for an active leadership role in all initiatives Continuously invite community Reach out to new students Most participants are lurkers and that’s fine! Integrating tools creates synergy Students want to get involved, but they need a HAND A few active members generate significant impact Being personal is key Ongoing projects and activities Focus on respond to the needs of stakeholders
- 26. Synergy and future Projects led and suggested by graduates Virtual Relationship conference for 10th with other anniversary UMUC units celebration Partnerships in Podcast series publishing and Webinars academic work Special interest groups
- 27. Final remarks Thinking beyond the classroom Enthusiasm is contagious Experiment, experiment and experiment… Count on your graduates and students Networking is essential to everyone for different reasons
- 28. Thank you! Questions? Presentation can be found at: http://www.slideshare.net/sporto/using-social-software-in-the-mde Contact: sporto@umuc.edu
- 30. Introduction: Background • Necessary shift from a campus based perspective Needs go beyond those addressed in individual courses • Focus on the needs of this specific target audience Part-time Full-time employment Family duties Long time away from school Diverse academic and professional background