Social Media: What is it good for?

Sarah Faye CohenVermont National Educators AssociationNovember 14, 2009

What is social media really about? Or, the other title for this talk:

Communication in the 21st century.

What is communication?

What do we think of when we

think about

communication?

The mail.

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The phone.

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People.Our Friends Our Students

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What happens to communication when we add in social media?

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Is it overwhelming?

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Or exhausting?

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It can be so much more!

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Social media can do many things.

•Share•Engage•Bring people together•Teach•Question•Create opportunity•Make things fun

But using social media does have to be

intentional, purposeful, deliberate.

Making choices about technology• What do you want to

achieve by using technology? ▫ Sharing information?▫ Raising awareness?▫ Creating events?▫ Raising money?▫ Asking questions?▫ Building a network?▫ Celebrating

achievements?▫ Reflecting on challenges?▫ Organizing?

• What are you willing to give in using technology?▫ Time▫ Energy▫ Creativity▫ Opportunity

• What are you willing to give up in using technology?▫ Control▫ Authority▫ One voice.

Pros and Cons: Time

Pros and Cons: Sharing

I’m overwhelmed by all this information!

INFORMATION OVERLOAD

“Through social media I can share information with my personal and professional

networks and they can share with me.”

Where does my professional life end and my personal life

begin? How exhausting AND overwhelming!

BEWARE of the APPROPRIATENESS

POLICE

“Social media lets me connect with students in new and exciting ways!”

Pros and Cons: Appropriateness

Finding the balance between the personal and the professional

An example:

Why am I on Facebook?

• To connect with friends.

• To share my life more frequently and openly.

• To have fun.

• What I am NOT doing on Facebook:▫Friend-ing

students▫Inviting

professional associates to view my full profile.

An example:

WHY? Because I am CHOOSING to

separate my personal and professional life.

Make choices. Anchor yourself.

Balance your needs.Work smarter, not

harder.

Tools that can make a difference (depending on what you want to do!)…

Blogging

Blogging• An anchor to steady

yourself in the sea of social media.

• Reflect, think, process.

• A venue to share information and respond to it.

• For you or for your organization.

Facebook

• Share information about your organization.

• Organize events.• Post photos.• Build community.• Generate interest.• Keep information in

one, easy to find place.

Twitter

•Tap into broader networks.

•Ask questions.•Share information.•Get information.•Raise awareness.•Share your story.•Learn from others.

Twitter: “What are you doing?”

Delicious: Social Bookmarking

Social bookmarking lets you…

•Be mobile with your information.

•Share information.•Organize

information yourself.

•Stay organized.•Keep notes.

How do YOU get started?

Step 1: Play.

Step 2: Ask questions.

Step 3: Experiment.

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Step 4: Don’t be afraid.

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Step 5: Know Yourself.

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Step 6: Know Your Organization.

Step 7: Be realistic.

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Step 8: Ask for help!

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Step 9: Celebrate your success.

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Step 10: Have fun.

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Questions?

Need help? Have questions?Feel free to contact me!

thesheckspot@gmail.comhttp://thesheckspot.blogspot.comthesheck/twitter.com