Introduction to Curriculum Innovation module Online Social Networks by Tom Brughmans, Lisa Harris, Franz Huber, Dave Millard and Thanassis Tiropanis

1. Online Social Networks
Introduction to UOSM2012
31st January 2013

2. Welcome 
• Intro to Curriculum Innovation (video, 3 mins)
• Please use this link during the session for
comments / questions
• The module materials and wiki are available
here

3. Rationale
• “Traditionally academics view the world through the
eyepiece of a single discipline. But the real world is not
like that, it is by its very nature interdisciplinary and
can only be deeply understood when viewed from
multiple perspectives. ” Mark Cranshaw,
Understanding Modern China
• University policy is directing us towards
multidisciplinary research that:
1) feeds directly into teaching and
2) encourages student participation at all levels

4. “Life-wide” and “life-long” learning

5. New CIP Modules:
linking research and teaching

6. Module features
• Taught by 5 tutors from 3 Faculties (Hums, B&L, FPAS)
• Introductory lecture by all tutors based around the hit
film “catfish” then one week each
• Students work in groups to produce sample exam
answers and post to class wiki (with tutor feedback)
(exam represents 60% of module marks)
• Video production class in specialist lab facility
@Avenue Campus
• Students in mixed disciplinary groups develop a video
portfolio on a “big question” supported with an
individual reflective account (40% of module marks)
• Core module for BSc Web Science

7. Learning Outcomes
• Discuss online social networks in a holistic
manner, including the technological, social,
network science, web science and
organisational dimensions.
• Evaluate key technological and social
mechanisms of online social networking and
network structures
• Analyse the impact of online social networks
on life, society and business.

8. Batting order

9. Topics
Covered
What are the
Characteristics
essential features
of Networks
of a network?

10. Topics
Covered
Characteristics
of Networks
Practical Applications What are the
of Networks networks we can see
around us?

12. Topics
Covered
Characteristics
of Networks
Practical Applications
of Networks
Network Analytics: How might we use
Power and Trust those networks?

13. Topics
Covered
Characteristics
of Networks
Practical Applications
of Networks
Network Analytics:
Power and Trust
Social Capital What are the
expected social or
economic benefits?

14. Social capital
Burt (2005)

15. Topics
Covered Business
How should the
and
individual respond?
Personal Branding
Characteristics
of Networks
Practical Applications
of Networks
Network Analytics:
Power and Trust
Social Capital

16. Social networks and employability
• Stand out from the crowd:
– Connect (LinkedIn, FB, Twitter)
– Collaborate (Skype, Dropbox, Google Drive)
– Create (Wordpress, Soundcloud, Pinterest,
YouTube/Vimeo)
– Curate (ScoopIt, Delicious, Slideshare)

17. Rationale
• Maintaining a personal brand through online and
offline networking is becoming a critical aspect of
career or business development
• It is essential that the information displayed online is
going to encourage rather than discourage potential
customers, collaborators etc.
• This session reviews our ongoing work at
Southampton into the impact of social networking
upon profile building and employability
@lisaharris #CIMbrandyou

18. Assessment
Type of assessment Word length of Percentage of the
(e.g coursework ,exam, coursework overall assessment
presentation etc.)
Group coursework/video video: 10-12 minutes 40%
and personal report max.
report: 500 words max.
Exam One hour 60%

19. Assessment
• Aim: to discuss a “big question” related to online
social networks as a group in a short video, as well as
write a short personal report reflecting on the group
work.
• The videos will be shown in week 12 (16/5) in an
“Online Social Networks Oscars” film festival, where
they will be evaluated by a panel, who will also ask
questions to each group about the video.
• The groups will be created in week 3 (14/2)
@lisaharris #CIMbrandyou

20. Assessment
• Select one question:
– Should employees be allowed to use social media in the
workplace?
– Is Facebook evil?
– Is privacy dead?
– Has social media revolutionised revolution?
– Who cares that you are six steps removed from Barack
Obama?
– Does marketing via social media always backfire?
– Do social media facilitate heterophily?
– Did KONY2012 work?
– Is online social networking changing the way we think?
– Do MOOCs spell the end of traditional education?

21. Assessment
• Before the Easter break you will have discussed the
selected question in your group and prepared a
script or battleplan for the video.
• In week 7 (15/3) you will receive an introduction to
filming and editing (by members of SusuTV) using the
University’s editing suite.
• We suggest you to start producing the video after the
Easter break. The labs in weeks 8 to 10 are a follow-
up on your group progress with this assignment. The
lab in week 8 will focus on checking the structure
and argumentation of your video, in week 10 we will
revise the technical details of your video production.

22. Useful Links
• Curriculum Innovation website
• Centre for Innovation and Technologies in
Education (CITE)
• Student Digital Champions
• Digital Economy USRG
• Curriculum Innovation post on DE blog