Social media tools have become widely used in education. They allow for more interactive learning experiences and collaboration between students and teachers. Wikis enable collaborative editing of content and recording of thought processes. Blogs encourage reflection and allow building of evidence over time. Microblogging tools like Twitter facilitate information sharing and reflection. Multimedia tools such as Flickr and YouTube support sharing of photos and videos. Digital curation tools help organize and share collections of resources. Social networking sites like Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn connect users and enable collaboration, but require attention to privacy and safety issues. Overall, social media enhances learning when used appropriately and for the right audience, though information overload and distraction are potential limitations.

1. Using the
Cloud
An Introduction to Social Media for
Learning & Teaching

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

3. What is Social Media?
Web2.0 Tools
» Changed the way we use the internet
› We were passive consumers
› Now able to contribute / comment without specialist web skills
› Knowledge and data sharing
› Publish in real-time
» Assumes people are always online
› PC/laptop/handheld devices
» Web-based / Browser reliant
» Easy to use

4. Social Media
Using WIKIs
Using Blogs
Media Sharing
Curating Web Resources
Social Networking

5. 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

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

7. WIKIs
WIKIs
• Website which can be edited collaboratively
• A range of media can be incorporated (text,
video, images, hyperlinks)
• All editing is recorded and easy to revert to the
previous version of the wiki
• Good for group activities as changes can be
documented and thought processes recorded

9. Using Wikis with Travel & Tourism Students
Example from Cardonald College, Glasgow
Lecturer introduced Wikis to teach Travel &
Tourism students
Student activities became much more interactive
– e.g. the use of Google maps and flickr
slideshows to highlight tourist attractions
Jisc RSC Scotland Case Study - http://www.rsc-scotland.org/?p=1426

10. Blogs
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

11. Use of Blogs at Cumbernauld College
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

12. Micro-blogs
Twitter
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

13. http://www.rsc-scotland.ac.uk/Horizon/Pics.htm

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

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

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

17. Pinterest

18. Pinterest: The Art of Digital Curation at
Cumbernauld College
Lecturer Steven Hart using Pinterest in class
http://www.rsc-scotland.org/?p=2437

19. Online Magazines

21. Digital Curation
/ Social Bookmarking
• 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

22. Activity
Scoop-it
Use Scoop-it to scoop some websites
Refer to the hand-out
You may want to look at this tutorial video on YouTube:
http://bit.ly/1a1fFWA

23. Social Networking
• LinkedIn
• Google+
• FaceBook
Image from Flickr by HikingArtsit licensed through CC

24. Linkedin
Image from Flickr by clasesdeperdisom licensed through CC
• A social networking website for people in professional occupations
• Reports more than 200 million registered users in more than 200 countries
• Users to maintain a list of contact details of people with whom they have
some level of relationship, called Connections
Google +
Image from Wikimedia Commons
Combines social networking with other services and connected through a Google
Profile e.g. Google Hangout, Google Circles, Google Sparks ……….

25. Facebook
Image form Wikimedia Commons
• Social network
• Make connections
• Share information/interests
• Strengthen student teacher relationship
• Useful for collaboration
• Group tools
• Notification
http://www.rsc-scotland.org/?p=2163
Discussion
101 Ways you should be using Facebook in the classroom
Polling
http://tinyurl.com/facebook-100classroom/
File sharing
Always updated guide to Facebook privacy
http://tinyurl.com/facebook-update-guide

26. Facebook at Carnegie College
http://www.rsc-scotland.org/?p=2069

27. 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

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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

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