Blogs & Social Networks – “The Students Perspective”

Tom Milburn – VP Education

General use of social networks Ways to use social networks Problems that can arise Blogs Summary

Content

Social Networks

Social Networks such as MySpace and particularly Facebook have been adopted by students at a phenomenal rate.

It appears to be a national feature that sets us apart from our European counterparts.

25 million people are a member of a social network site, make an average of 23.3 visits per month and spend 11 minutes a day on such sites (The Times).

Potential

These networks offer huge potential because of the frequency of visits and high retention rates of users.

They are also a limitless resource that are used by all ages, classes, genders etc.

This gives any user the chance to reach a huge audience that is not constrained to any particular demographic.

Students’ Use and Perspective

Peer to Peer Support

Benefits

Social networks can provide students with the support of their cohort in a structured environment.

It can also provide constant support that is not bound by office hours.

This can ease pressure on staff with older students helping to ‘teach’ younger students.

Discussion boards are used by students to set the topic of a discussion and are valued by students to focus any discussions.

Student Feedback

Benefits

Social networks can provide an excellent centre for any Staff/Student Liaison Committees.

They provide an open forum that is easily accessible to students.

Students have commented how easy it is to voice opinion, view what is going on and to have open communication channels with staff.

Staff can also easily run things past students and gauge opinion.

Multimedia

Learning and teaching can often be enhanced by being offered in various formats.

Social networks allow flexible use of images and videos that can help deliver material to students.

Questionnaires can be linked to Facebook, which can aid research for students’ projects.

Problems for Staff and Students

Network Problems

They can be perceived as closed communication channels.

The consequences of actions can become distant as social networks can be turned off.

The need for a username and password can give a false sense of security.

There can be a lack of clarity from Universities on what the consequences of actions on social networks can be.

Advice Statements

Universities and Students’ Unions are now producing advice statements.

These often detail what students should be wary of when using social network sites.

At Bath these were delivered as ‘Flyers’ on Facebook.

Flyers…

Student Views on Blogs

Blogs

Blogs can be an excellent way to keep students up to date with developments at University.

However they usually suffer from:1. Being hard to find

2. Not being updated regularly

3. Not being used by students themselves

Summary There is great potential for social networks to be

used to engage students and enhance their experience of university life.

It will depend on how much effort staff put in and the culture of students on various courses.

They can be of great value to any institution.

Any Questions?