INTEGRATING SOCIAL MEDIA INTO THE INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY COURSE
Laura FrebergCalifornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA REALLY LOOKS LIKE…
2012 and the future—We are becoming a more universal, diverse, connected, engaged,
and social community.
What is social media?Social media combines “a wide range of online, word-of-
mouth forums including blogs, company sponsored discussion boards and chat rooms, consumer-to-consumer e-mail, consumer product or service ratings websites and forums, Internet discussion boards and forums, microblogs” (Mangold & Faulds, 2009, p. 358). Social media integrates technology & social
interaction with pictures, videos, words, and audio.
It allows people to share different perspectives and information / stories / experiences among online communities
Social media adds a voice for the user.
William James on Teaching “…in teaching, you
must simply work your pupil into such a state of interest in what you are going to teach him that every other object of attention is banished from his mind.” –William James
Why Use Social Media?o Social Media Revolution 2011:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SuNx0UrnEo
o Students are already doing this (beat them or join them)
o Their world, both social and work-related, will use social media
o Opportunities for teaching critical thinking and information competency
o Ability to capture real-time social behavior.
Opportunities in Social Media
Knowledge Sharing• Blogs• Microblogs• Ex. Twitter,
Wordpress, Blogger
Life Sharing• Photos &
Videos• Social
Convergence• Crowdsourcin
g• Ex. YouTube,
Flickr, Wikis
Social Networking• Connect• Interact• Social media
life• Ex. Facebook,
Google+
Business Networking• Connect• Geolocation• Interact • Ex. Linkedin,
Foursquare
Community Building• Collaborate• Collect• Ex. Ning
(social networking communities)
Some Starting Points…. Twitter
Class accounts Questions and answers Follow key Psychologists &
Organizations (e.g. APS, APA) Virtual Office Hours Social Searches
Facebook Virtual office hours Question and answer Share links and news reports Facebook for Educators
Google+ Virtual office hours through Google Hangouts Meetings via conference calls Research collaboration Mashable Google + Guide
YouTube and Vimeo Students select videos relevant to course
content Students construct videos
Infographics Prepare infographics to share with class Infographic Database: Visual.ly & Example
Quora Questions and answers Analyze who is supplying answers Network with others Emerging Technologies in Mobile QR (Quick Response) codes and
augmented reality Research current trends in this
form of technology How can this technology be used
in Psychology (e.g. Cockroach Phobia & Augmented Reality)
Always Something New….
Pinterest had more traffic in January than YouTube, Google+, and LinkedIn.
Use Mashable to get started: http://mashable.com/2011/12/26/pinterest-beginners-guide/
How to incorporate social media into research Data Mining
Social mention (All social media) Topsy Analytics (Twitter + Google+)
Collaboration Word Press Tumblr
Content analysis of Quora Post presentations (via Slideshare) and videos
(YouTube or Vimeo) highlighting research Capstone or Senior Projects to create Mobile App
to be used for Psychology research or practice http://www.magmito.com/blog/
Best Practices Incorporate social media class policies into the syllabus Become transdisciplinary – work with professionals
in other disciplines who are also incorporating social media into class & research
Spend a little bit of time each day looking at trends in social media to stay current
Lead by example – set up a personal website, start writing a blog, and be consistently active and present on the various social media platforms.
Do consider accessibility for your student population. Educate your department, students, and fellow
colleagues within the Psychology community.
Future of Social Media
Baekel. T. (April 27, 2009). Where is everyone? Baekel Online Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.baekdal.com/articles/Management/market-of-information/.
Social Media Resources Main resources
Mashable (great social media blog and site): http://mashable.com/
Social Media Classroom Resources: http://socialmediaclassroom.com/community/wiki/participatory-media-teaching-and-learning-resources
Digital Buzz (latest trends in mobile and other digital media): http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/
The Google of Social Media - Samepoint.com
Another good search engine -Socialmention.com
Social Media Influence (Case studies): http://socialmediainfluence.com/
Psychology and Social Media Resources Pew Research Internet
Resources: http://www.pewinternet.org/
Media Psychology Research Center blog: http://mprcenter.org/blog/
Karen Freberg: [email protected]
Psychology of Popular Media Culture: http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/ppm/index.aspx
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Laura Freberg, Ph.D.California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Website: www.laurafreberg.comBlog: www.laurafreberg.com/blogTwitter: @lfreberg
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