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Presentation of paper from the HBMeU conference in Dubai, Jan 30 - Feb 2, 2012
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Innovation in Learner Support Services
Through Social Media
Dr. Stella PortoMaster of Distance Education & E-Learning
The Graduate SchoolUniversity of Maryland University College
Focus
“Our goal was to create an integrated program-wide community and set of initiatives, which would enable unstructured interaction, sharing of information, and creation of an ongoing and long-lasting common knowledge base, as well as professional and personal e-relationships.”
Agenda
• Introduction– Background & context
• Analysis of the Social Media Support Suite– All the MDE program-wide support initiatives
• Lessons Learned• Final remarks
Introduction: Background• Student support at a distance…
– Shift from a campus based perspective– Needs go beyond those addressed in individual
courses– Focus on the needs of this specific target audience
• Part-time• Full-time employment• Family duties• Long time away from school• Diverse academic and professional background
Introduction: Background Institutional Student support
• Enrollment management / Registrar Admissions Financial aid Registration Advising Graduation
• Portal with self-services• Academic specialists,
coordinators, program directors• Library• Office of disabilities, etc.
Introduction: BackgroundSocial media: what it is
Support with Social media @ UMUC
Introduction: ContextThe MDE program
• Potential managers of the DE enterprise
• Entirely online for part-time working adults
• International• Collaborative
FacultySupport
InstructionDesign &Support
Leaders &Managers
HigherEducation
Media & technology
CorporateTraining &Learning
DistanceEducation
The MDE focus on developing managers and leaders in the areas of e-learning & distance education within different settings, including: K-12, higher-education, corporate, non-profits, government and military.
Analysis of the Social Media Suite
BLOGS
VIDEOS
SOCIAL NETWORKING
WIKIS
An Action Research approach
The MDE Hub
The MDE Hub•The one-stop-shop for ALL MDE related information•Extremely flexible platform
The MDE Blog
The MDE Blog•Initially was the one-stop-shop for all MDE information•Now, works exclusively as a blog •One-way communication - no interaction
The MDE Lounge
The MDE-lounge•Real interaction•Privacy, listserv mode, discussion board, simple and not-invasive
The MDE Faculty Forum
The Faculty-forum•Management effectiveness•Privacy, listserv mode, discussion board, simple and not-invasive
Mainstream Social networks
Presence in social networks•Connections with graduates and prospective students•Marketing
The MDE Peer Mentoring
The MDE peer-mentoring program•Peer-support•Student initiative•Action research project
The MDE capstone wiki
The MDE capstone wiki•Support for final capstone: e-portfolio & research project•Information sharing•Direct relationship with instruction (permanent)
MDE Orientation
The MDE orientation•Workshop with direct instructor-led support•Information sharing•Direct support to instruction
Using our unsual LMS…
The MDE internship program
The MDE internship program•Getting your feet wet as a distance educator•Supporting the program•Engaging in action research
The MDE social bookmarking project
The MDE Writing Coach program
The MDE Writing Coach program•Writing support (focused on learning)•Support for WC’s using a wiki•Growing interest for other programs
The MDE Virtual Conference
The MDE Writing Coach program•Writing support (focused on learning)•Support for WC’s using a wiki•Growing interest @ UMUC
The MDE wiki on new technologies
The MDE wiki on new technologies•Knowledge-base•Information sharing•Meta-learning
Learning lessons…There is a need for an active leadership Continuously invite communityReach out to new students
Most participants are lurkers and that’s fine!Integrating tools creates synergyStudents want to get involved, but they need a HAND
A few active members generate significant impactBeing personal is keyOngoing projects and activities Focus on respond to the needs of stakeholders
Final remarksAction Research: an excellent research practitioner approachThinking beyond the classroomEnthusiasm is contagiousExperiment, experiment and experiment…Count on your graduates and studentsNetworking is essential to everyone for different reasons