socialmedia1011

Building and Maintaining Community and Collaboration Online

** Reasons to use **

 * Using social networking media carries the promise of more exposure for adult schools to potential learners not currently being served
 * It also reinforces and deepens communication with the existing alumni population.
 * Educators use these tools to create personal professional development networks and model lifelong learning.

** How schools and educators are using Facebook **
• Provide resources • Spotlight successful stories • Post photos and videos • Encourage discussion • Post on regular basis • News • About classes • Current catalog • Run contests • Ask fans/members to share/recommend to others • Ask fans/members to post about their experience in relationship to your program • Feature work by individual teachers/classes

** Considerations **

 * It takes time to build a community and resources for it, then it takes even more time to maintain it and encourage participation
 * How to separate personal from professional presence
 * How to help learners establish positive instead of negative online presence
 * Staying safe

** Practice time **
• Log into Facebook • Join TIMAC Group • Post a comment (optional: add a photo, link or video) • Respond to other person’s comment • Participate in real time chat • Comment on the Group Document • RSVP for an event by TIMAC Group • Take the safety quiz

More resources
Building Collaboration, Communication and Community Online - Meredith Farkas media type="custom" key="9360752"

Using Facebook in Adult Education media type="custom" key="9360996"

Social Networking Page on Webtwopointohinadulted wiki - http://webtwopointohinadulted.wikispaces.com/Social+Networking+