How to use Social and Digital Media in the Classroom

@lornajwalker @chri5rowell

Why use technology in assessment?

Nearly a quarter of all the jobs Regent’s advertised to its students last year required digital marketing, social media or

analytics skills

89% of employers agree analytics is very important to their organisation (Graduate Jobs Bureau)

Digital sector will need 300,000+ new recruits by 2020 but employers are struggling to find people to fill this gap (e-

skills UK)

One third of employers cite lack of skills to analyse and interpret data as the top business challenge facing their

organisations (IBM)

“We’d better prepare ourselves for the day when we engage just as much with CTOs as we do with CMOs”Sir Martin Sorrell, WPP

Marketing is changing

George SchmidtRegent’s University alumnus Digital marketing and eCRM managerL’Occitane en Provence

“Employers are looking for people who understand both the technical and business side of things, to bridge the gap between marketers who often lack a realistic view on digital, and technologists who may not have exposure to the realities of strategic marketing.

This course is a much needed step forward in higher education to address the lack of digitally savvy marketing graduates.”

ADVANTAGES Interesting and engaging assignments

Authentic

Develops employability skills

Students have some kind of digital presence

Work belongs to the students

Helps tutor develop skills as well as the students

Easy to link to practitioner and academic research – builds links with practitioners

WHAT DO THE STUDENTS THINK? “I feel I evolved during this module”

“I think the WordPress assignment is very useful since I can learn directly from making the site”

“The WordPress assignment was the best way to teach us how to build a website”

“I never realised the importance of having a Twitter and LinkedIn presence until I started this MSc”

“I felt as if this course prepared me in a very practical way, which is very good in today’s job market. I now know how to make a video.”

PRIVACY & LEGAL ISSUES Social media is outward-facing

New types of social network

Duty of care

Who is liable if students do run into problems?

Lecturer may need login details

Issues of IP and copyright

TECHNICAL SUPPORT ISSUES Don’t assume that students are ‘skilled’ users of social media

Where is the line between feedback, technical support and free consultancy?

Could you complete the assignment yourself?

Do you have the requisite skills to be able to run the assignment yourself?

If you cannot provide technical help then who will?

Onus is on the tutor to make sure their skills are up to the job

Where does your responsibility for the assignment end?

LOGISTICAL ISSUES

Students may have to pay to access some of these services

Alternative assignment?

Reliable internet access

ACADEMIC ISSUES

Marking criteria How can you assess students’ academic understanding alongside their practical skills? PlagiarismMake the requirements of the assignment clear in advanceExternal examiners