This document summarizes a presentation on a project to implement social media in education at FHNW universities. It discusses focus groups held with students to understand their perspectives on using social media. Key findings were that students had varying definitions of social media depending on experience, wanted to take on new roles in education, and expected professional and usable tools. Students also said they are constantly seeking out new content online. The presentation outlines the project goals, methods, and timeline which include developing scenarios for using social media and piloting them in classes in 2013.

1. Always chasing something – Students„ Perspective
on Social Media in Higher Education
SIG Student Voice meeting, November 20, 2012
Eva-Christina Edinger (PH FHNW) & Julia Klammer (APS FHNW)

2. Project Overview
• Strategic Initiative FHNW
• Interdisciplinary: Hochschule für Angewandte Psychologie, Hochschule für Wirtschaft,
Pädagogische Hochschule
• Team: Eva-Christina Edinger, Julia Klammer, Jonas Konrad, Maria Papanikolaou, Susan
Göldi, Steffen Dörhöfer
• Timeframe: June 2012 – June 2013
• Project goal: Implementation concept Social Media in Education FHNW
• Method: Participatory Approach – early involvement of lecturers and students  Early Scenario-
based Design / Participatory Design
Implemen-
As is- Analysis of Scenario Pilot and
tation
Analysis Potentials Development Evaluation
Concept
• Focusgroups with • Analysis of best • Scenario-workshops: • Pilot study in 4-5
lecturers/students, Online- practices (interviews, coproduction of 5 future classes (spring
Survey (lecturers) reserach) scenarios 2013), formative
evaluation
Strategische Initiative Social Media in Lehr- und Lernszenarien (HSW, PH, APS) 22.11.2012 2

3. As is-Analysis – Focus groups with Students
Participants
• 7 students of 4 universities (2 groups): HSW, HT, APS (2 female, 5 male)
• Degree courses „Wirtschaftsinformatik“ (BSc), „Betriebsökonomie“ (BSc)
und „Angewandte Psychologie“ (MSc)
Goal: Students’ general opinions on social media in education @FHNW
• understanding of the term social media
• recent usage and purpose of social media
• positive and negative experiences with using social media
• subjective estimation of added value when using social media
• wishes on social media in learning and teaching scenarios
Strategische Initiative Social Media in Lehr- und Lernszenarien (HSW, PH, APS) 22.11.2012 3

4. Main Findings
• Definition Social Media: nebulous, depends on state of knowledge and
experience, discussion of „what is the content?“ in „user generated content“
• New roles and hierarchies: students are aware of their teachers’ time and
effort, would like to take over new roles
• Expectation of professionalism: method-media-match, usability, device
independent user experience (BYOD), PLE/GUI, efficiency
• “Always chasing something”: students chase content, academic teachers
chase technologies, accessibility
• Closeness and distance: is still to-be clarified, e.g.: changes in the
relationship of students and teachers, 9-til-5 ...
Strategische Initiative Social Media in Lehr- und Lernszenarien (HSW, PH, APS) 22.11.2012 4

5. Wishes to Social Media – Which benefit do students expect from using
social media?
• Multimedia – multisided Experience
Quality
teaching and learning Transpar-
ency,
scenarios
Access
• Collaboration
• organisational aspects Support
• Content-related aspects
(develop and broaden
knowledge together)
• Enrichment of teaching
materials Flexibility,
Efficiency
Networks/J
• Networking internally and obs
externally
Profile
• Feedback/Coaching
Strategische Initiative Social Media in Lehr- und Lernszenarien (HSW, PH, APS) 22.11.2012 5

6. Thank you! Any questions...?
Project website with blog: http://blogs.fhnw.ch/SMinLehre/
Eva-Christina Edinger Julia Klammer
eva.edinger@fhnw.ch julia.klammer@fhnw.ch
Strategische Initiative Social Media in Lehr- und Lernszenarien (HSW, PH, APS) 22.11.2012 6