Encouraging Communication Through the Use of Educational Social Media Tools

2018 ◽  
pp. 153-164
Author(s):  
Melissa Barnes

Over the last decade, our society has embraced social networking and web-based and mobile technologies. In an attempt to stay current with social trends, educators have become increasingly interested in how best to harness social media tools to enhance their teaching practices. This paper will explore the use of social media tools, such as Edmodo and Glogster, with 30 Japanese high school exchange students in Sydney, Australia. Given that the classes were homogenous, the teachers' biggest challenge was to create a classroom environment that encouraged students to use English rather than Japanese to communicate with one another. By using social media tools, students were given the opportunity to embrace and explore different technologies while creating a space to communicate with their peers and teachers in English. This article will discuss the types of activities and tasks employed and student and teacher feedback. New technologies continue to emerge and evolve, shaping how our society communicates, works and learns. Educators, in particular, have attempted to harness various aspects of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Given that social networking and web-based and mobile technologies have become an integral part of young people's everyday lives, educators have become increasingly aware of the need to incorporate these social media tools in the learning process. The impetus for the action research presented in this paper was born from a desire to promote English language communication through introducing social media tools, such as Edmodo and Glogster. The aim was to explore how a variety of tasks and activities are employed and received by both students and teachers.

Author(s):  
Melissa Barnes

Over the last decade, our society has embraced social networking and web-based and mobile technologies. In an attempt to stay current with social trends, educators have become increasingly interested in how best to harness social media tools to enhance their teaching practices. This paper will explore the use of social media tools, such as Edmodo and Glogster, with 30 Japanese high school exchange students in Sydney, Australia. Given that the classes were homogenous, the teachers' biggest challenge was to create a classroom environment that encouraged students to use English rather than Japanese to communicate with one another. By using social media tools, students were given the opportunity to embrace and explore different technologies while creating a space to communicate with their peers and teachers in English. This article will discuss the types of activities and tasks employed and student and teacher feedback. New technologies continue to emerge and evolve, shaping how our society communicates, works and learns. Educators, in particular, have attempted to harness various aspects of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Given that social networking and web-based and mobile technologies have become an integral part of young people's everyday lives, educators have become increasingly aware of the need to incorporate these social media tools in the learning process. The impetus for the action research presented in this paper was born from a desire to promote English language communication through introducing social media tools, such as Edmodo and Glogster. The aim was to explore how a variety of tasks and activities are employed and received by both students and teachers.


Author(s):  
Lydia Kyei-Blankson ◽  
Kamakshi S. Iyer ◽  
Lavanya Subramanian

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are web-based facilities that allow for social interaction, sharing, communication and collaboration in today's world. In the current study, patterns of use of social media among students at a public Midwestern university are examined. In addition, students were surveyed regarding concerns for privacy and trust and whether concerns differed by gender, ethnicity, employment and relationship status. The survey data gathered from students suggest that students mostly used SNSs from less than one hour to about 3 hours a day and for communication and maintaining relationships. Students also had academic uses for SNSs. Even though concerns for privacy and trust exist, they did not differ by gender, employment and relationship status and students are still willing to use SNSs. The findings from this research have implications for various stakeholders especially instructors who may be considering the use of SNS for academic purposes.


Author(s):  
Edeama O. Onwuchekwa

Social networking is a Web-based service that allows individuals to construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and view and navigate their list of connections and those made by others within the system. No doubt, social media has great potential in taking library operations to the next level. It is in the light of this that this chapter examines the role of social media and social networking in information service provision in libraries. To achieve this objective, the chapter looks at social media as a tool in libraries, advantages of social media in libraries, social media and social networks, and practical examples on the use of social media and social network tools together with how libraries can forge ahead due to the use and application of social media and social networks to their daily operations. Conclusion and recommendations based on these highlights are provided.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Adilman ◽  
Yanchini Rajmohan ◽  
Edward Brooks ◽  
Gloria Roldan Urgoiti ◽  
Caroline Chung ◽  
...  

QUESTION ASKED: To what extent, and for what purpose, do oncology physicians and physicians-in-training use Web-based social media? SUMMARY ANSWER: Despite the ability of social media to enhance collaboration and knowledge dissemination among health care providers, this cohort survey study identified an overall low use of social media among oncologists, and significant generational gaps and differences in patterns of use. METHODS: A nine-item survey was designed using a survey-generating Web site (SurveyMonkey) and was distributed securely via weekly e-mail messages to 680 oncology physicians and physicians-in-training from July 2013 through September 2013. All responses were received anonymously. Results were analyzed and are reported using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Of 680 surveys sent, 207 were completed, for a response rate of 30.4%. Social media were used by 72% of our survey respondents (95% CI, 66% to 78%; Table 1 ). Results were cross tabulated by age, which revealed a significant difference in social media use by age group, with 89% of trainees, 93% of fellows, and 72% of early-career oncologists reporting social media use, compared with only 39% of mid-career oncologists (P < .05). Respondents reported using each social media platform for either personal or professional purposes, but rarely both. When respondents were questioned regarding barriers to social media use and their hesitations around joining a medically related social media site, the majority (59%) answered, “I don't have enough time.” [Table: see text] BIAS, CONFOUNDING FACTOR(S), DRAWBACKS: This study was conducted online, via e-mail. Therefore, respondents may represent a subpopulation of individuals who already prefer using Web-based technologies and may be more inclined to use social media, compared with individuals who do not use e-mail and were, by default, excluded from the study. We assumed, in designing this study, that the proportion of practicing oncology physicians who do not use e-mail is low. Although our sample size is small, it does represent one third of all registered medical oncologists in Canada. Finally, the high percentage of medical oncologist respondents and the concomitantly low fraction of respondents from other specialties may mean these results are more telling of social media habits in the aforementioned demographic rather than other oncology specialties. REAL-LIFE IMPLICATIONS: Our study revealed that oncology physicians and physicians-in-training who participate in Web-based social networking are largely within the younger age cohorts, whereas mid-career oncologists (age 45 to 54 years) are largely absent from the social media scene. Gaps in social networking use between younger physicians and trainees and older generations of physicians may result in critical gaps in communication, collaboration, and mentorship between these demographics. It is hoped that with further research into understanding patterns of use and limitations, medical professionals and trainees may increase their use of social media for networking, education, mentorship, and improved patient care.


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 76-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Cant

Much has been said about the advantages of using social media in the marketing of brands and products of companies. Marketing, as we knew it in the past millennia, has changed dramatically and is evolving at a faster pace than ever. Traditional media, such as print and broadcast, are becoming more obsolete and largely replaced by social media platforms. These platforms are growing and expanding in leaps and bounds and have become potent instruments of marketing. It is up to organizations to use these platforms to market their brands, services and business, as it can have a profound effect on the success and growth. This is even truer in the case of entrepreneurs who are generally younger and more technology savvy and who use social media for all means and purposes. The purpose of this research study was, therefore, to investigate the use of social media among institutions that focus on specific events such as a business plan competition and to establish to what extent the use of these social media tools were used or effectively used to communicate the event to SMEs. A web-based self-administered questionnaire was distributed among the respondents of a business plan competition. A total of 992 useable responses were received. The findings mainly revealed that institutions that use social media in their marketing drive either do not plan properly for the use of it, or is careless in their approach to these tools. The results pointed to a large number of respondents (55%) who were not even aware that social media tools were used in the promotion of the competition. Keywords: social media, SME, special event marketing, marketing, usage, promotional mix elements, South Africa. JEL Classification: M13


Author(s):  
Amir Manzoor

The use of social media around the globe is increasing at an exponential rate. An increasing number of individuals have become members of one or more social networking sites leading to soaring membership numbers, largely because these sites are free and easy to use. This trend is important for libraries. Being part of the community, libraries need to capitalize the potential of social media for instant and direct communication with their members. The librarians are gradually showing a positive attitude towards social media tools. The objective of this chapter is to review the social media use by libraries around the globe. The chapter also provides specific recommendations for social media use in libraries.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (02) ◽  
pp. 1450011 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARCOS KOMODROMOS

This study is aimed at both researchers and public relations (PR) practitioners. The use of social media tools and technologies — such as blogs, social networking, microblogging, podcasts, etc. — is a very important factor for PR practitioners, helping them to improve important organizational processes. The research employs a mixed methodology, with data being analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. A sample of 25 senior PR practitioners was purposively selected from different sectors in Cyprus using a mixed methodology approach. Understanding how PR practitioners use social media tools in organizations in Cyprus can have a positive impact in terms of more effective branding, stronger brand loyalty and improved marketing, including stronger customer dialogue, reduced internal communications costs, ability to mine and analyze customer data more effectively, improved customer service and support, increased customer satisfaction, and better product development (such as social networking). Previous studies describe the implementation of social media in terms of yes/no. This paper is original and innovative in that it explores how PR practitioners use social media in Cyprus (and to what extent), and how this can benefit their organization as a whole.


Author(s):  
Ron Fisher ◽  
Ruth McPhail ◽  
Emily You ◽  
Maria Ash

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to investigate if, and to what degree, social media are used for the recruitment of global supply chain managers. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper that discusses how organizations should engage with social media platforms for effective recruitment of global supply chain managers. Findings – Findings are that organizations seeking to employ global supply chain managers, particularly those engaged in B2B activities, lag other industry sectors in adopting new ways of recruiting talent. Building on the findings, we present models of how organizations should move to adopt web-based technologies and the steps needed to engage fully in using social media to recruit global supply chain managers. Research limitations/implications – Global supply chains (including logistics) lag other industry sectors in adopting social media networks for recruitment, and risk missing out on talent if the issues are not addressed. Serious consideration needs to be given, particularly by B2B but also by B2C businesses, in order to attract suitable employees. Employees’ and prospective employees’ expectations will increasingly revolve around the use of social media. Originality/value – The research is original in that it investigates an emerging, contemporaneous issue that is of considerable importance in recruiting global supply chain managers. The research provides value by highlighting that in recruiting global supply chain managers, organizations have been slow to adopt new technologies, and recommends actions to remedy this.


Author(s):  
Alice S. Etim ◽  
Khoa Huynh

In recent years, social networking sites have witnessed a signi?cant growth in popularity and membership. These social networking sites like Facebook or LinkedIn use tools that also appeal to businesses. One important area of business application of social networking is to improve communication and trust relationships among virtual project teams (Sarker, Ahuja & Kirkeby, 2011; Anantatmula & Thomas, 2010). In this paper, the authors report the use of social media tools for virtual teaming for a large Vietnamese bank, Navibank. The paper delves into the strategic initiative and expansion into global markets using virtual project teams that communicated mostly through social media tools and services. Navibank (hereafter known as the Bank) is one of the top ten largest commercial banks in Vietnam. In a large project of opening ten branches of the Bank in Cambodia by the end of 2015, social media tools like Skype, e-mail, Facebook, instant messaging and video conference are being used by the Bank teams in Vietnam to communicate and work effectively with the new teams that are being formed in Cambodia.


Author(s):  
Sharafat Hussain ◽  
Prof. Mohd. Abdul Azeem

Adoption of social media amongst health care organizations is thriving. Healthcare providers have begun to connect with patients via social media. While some healthcare organizations have taken the initiative, numerous others are attempting to comprehend this new medium of opportunity. These organizations are finding that social networking can be an effective way to monitor brand, connecting with patients, community, and patient education and acquiring new talent. This study is conducted to identify the purpose of using social media, concerns, policy and its implementation and the overall experience of healthcare organizations with social media. To collect first hand data, online questionnaire was sent via LinkedIn to 400 US healthcare organizations and representatives out of which 117 responded and were taken further for analsysis. The results of this study confirm the thriving adoption, increased opportunities and cautious use of social media by healthcare organizations. The potential benefits present outweigh the risk and concerns associated with it. Study concluded that social media presence will continue to grow into the future and the field of healthcare is no exception.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document