Successes and Setbacks of Social Media. Группа авторов. Читать онлайн. Newlib. NEWLIB.NET

Автор: Группа авторов
Издательство: John Wiley & Sons Limited
Серия:
Жанр произведения: Кинематограф, театр
Год издания: 0
isbn: 9781119695219
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and our first (and only) completely online course. I navigated this course well by creating my own structure, based on assignment due dates, and other aspects as identified in the syllabus. It was in the first week-long residency that I realized the influence and importance that peer support would have on my doctoral process. My cohort spent the week getting to know one another, working in small groups, and creating shared memories. These memories included long nights drinking coffee, tea, soda, and other caffeinated beverages to stay awake to complete assignments; sharing laptops to get the work done (when a classmate’s laptop died); and having dinner in the cafeteria (commenting on how good the food was considering it was a college cafeteria). At the conclusion of this week-long experience, I felt like I had the beginnings of a bond to get through our residency encounters.

      Facebook Group

      We arrived on campus for our first fall residency session. During our Friday evening dinner break, a college representative asked us all to subscribe to the program’s Facebook page. Of course, we all had questions (and even some concerns) about the content that some might share. This sparked a conversation among the cohort of the possibility of using Facebook to communicate outside of our college issued email accounts. Within minutes, a cohort member had created the private group on Facebook and sent out invitations. For full transparency, I was a bit skeptical. To this point, I had only used Facebook to share photos and as an event search engine. It was unclear to me how this private group would allow us to support one another. Initially, we only used the page to share generic information and then, one day, that all changed. Someone shared the news of a work transition. Immediately, we all began to share concern, words of encouragement, and most importantly new opportunities as well as resources to help manage this transition. Within two weeks, the cohort member had several promising leads and thanked everyone for helping. Wow! This private group on Facebook instantaneously became the conduit to provide information, an opportunity to network, and a source of emotional support. For the remaining years of our program, our private Facebook group became our safe place to share unfiltered complaints, concerns, encouragement, feelings, and moods without judgement. This virtual space provided a dwelling for us to support each other and hold each other accountable. It helped to make it feel that our cohort was more than just faces seen one weekend a month and a full week once a year. We were accountability partners and cheerleaders, who knew firsthand the challenges we all were experiencing.

      Google Docs and Google Hangouts

      In preparation for the oral presentation, the group wanted to have an opportunity to practice the delivery of the content and facilitation using a visual aid. Skype was very popular, so naturally we began there and quickly experienced some of the limitations and frustrations of working within the permissions of a free account. Due to our success with Google Docs, the group agreed to try Google Hangouts. We set a date and time and off we went. The setup was extremely easy, and connection was flawless. Google Hangouts allowed us to simulate our presentation and refine our delivery strategy. Additionally, it provided us a more personal connection to see faces, kids, pets, and home workspaces. Google Hangouts created the feeling that we were working in our homes together as a unit, although we were many miles apart.

      Google Voice and Pinterest

      Fast forward to the last year of the program. The end was near with only one more major challenge to conquer – the dissertation. My proposal had been approved and cleared all institutional review boards. As I prepared my participant agreement forms, I was concerned about the most effective mode of communication to list on the forms. As I spoke with classmates and mentors, another Google application was introduced – Google Voice. After additional research, I discovered that Google Voice provided the establishment of a voice line with message capabilities. It was easy to configure and activate. No more worries about personal contact information on flyers or lack of reachability if needed.

      Transferable to the Professional World

      As I reflect on my expanded use of social media during my doctoral program, I must admit that without the platforms, several aspects would have been more isolated, difficult, and time-consuming. I began the program with a very limited view of the capabilities, different applications, and usage of social media. In fact, I limited the focus to surface level displays of events in one’s life. Now, I have a greater appreciation for the ways in which social media can be used as a support tool to foster the exchange of ideas, promote collaboration, eliminate barriers, and enhance professional development opportunities.

      Now that I am on the other side of the equation, as a full-time faculty member, I look for appropriate ways in which to incorporate social media elements into my courses. I continuously strive to embrace how social media can be an effective teaching and learning tool. Due to the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, the norm is no longer the same. In a week’s time, all levels of the education industry shifted to a completely online delivery format. In this new reality of a global health crisis, using social media platforms to provide support is fundamental. The current circumstance prompts us to become operators of social media to communicate, collaborate, and create. It is time to think outside the perimeters. Individuals can do more than set up an audio conference call or use email as a way to exchange ideas. To help prevent isolation try videoconferencing. Freeconferencecall.com, Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom provide an option for video sharing and real time chat. Use Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter to obtain real time insight into the well-being of colleagues, family, friends, and students.

      Carlton Smith