Learning with online social networks

 

Student engagement with digital learning resources and online social networking are strong forces in education today. How can these resources best be utilized by educators and course designers in higher education? 

In his talk Professor Rennie gave enough background information to appreciate the value of social networking, especially for distributed education. He highlighted the  most relevant, interesting, and challenging aspects of e-learning and  practical advice for using social networking tools in course design. See his presentation below.

Learning with online social networks from Lews Castle College, University of the Highlands and Islands

Update on Social Media Tools

Dear ALL,

A range of new collaborative technologies such as social networking sites, file sharing tools, crowdsourcing systems, wikis, and almost too many others to name—are fundamentally changing the way we communicate and connect. It has changed the way of working in all spheres of the economy so rapidly that keeping pace and understanding their usefulness is often daunting. 

At the Faculty of Agriculture, we have organised  3 CTA-funded WEB 2 tools training sessions  in July 2012 and Jan 2013 to showcase their uses to stakeholders in the agriculture sector. Yet in the span of a year, new tools have come up and more examples on their uses are being reported daily. 

To keep up with the rapid change in communication and collaborative technologies, check out this new link for its rich content and for helpful explanations on using webtools and social media for learning, collaboration, planning etc at http://foundationcenter.org/gainknowledge/research/pdf/collab-tech.pdf and an easy to use website http://collaboration.grantcraft.org/ 

Thank You and keep sharing !!!!!!!

Social Media in Higher Education Summit

Social Media in Higher Education Summit 

29^th – 30^th August  2013

                          Focus Rooms, Sunninghill, Johannesburg, RSA

Good day, 

Are you up to speed with the latest academic social media technology trends in your institution?

Amabhubesi would like to invite you to its Social Media in Higher Education Summit (SMHES 2013) which will expose you to a new digital platform and innovative ways of harnessing social media technology to create better learning and development processes within universities. Get informed about how student can utilize social media platforms such as web 3.0, Facebook, Twitter and MySpace to improve teacher learning process.

SMHES 2013 will explore how social media can be used very effectively in higher education; from sharing lectures and facilitating discussion to support students by strengthening a formidable campus community as well as improving the institution’s corporate brand. The summit is also designed to bring together expertise and provide education institutions with user friendly tools to advance their social media presence and build successful relationship with key audiences.

Key Highlights

·         Explore the challenges of social media And technology adaption
·         Convergences of informal learning into formal learning using social media platforms to bridge the existing gaps
·         Expert Google presentation by Brett St. Clair
·         Using social media as a tool to engage Stakeholders and shape the Strategy of a University
·         Virtue worlds, Social Media and Emerging Technologies.
·         Explore Strategies for effective Branding.