Integrating Social Media into The introductory Psychology Course

1. Integrating Social Media into The introductory Psychology Course Laura Freberg California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

2. 2012 and the future--Society as a whole is becoming more of a universal, diverse, connected, engaged, and social community.

3. William James on Teaching • “…in teaching, you must simply work your pupil into such a state of interest in what you are going to teach him that every other object of attention is banished from his mind.” –William James

4. Why Social Media? • Social Media Revolution Video

5. What is social media? Social mediacombines “a wide range of online, word-of-mouth forums including blogs, company sponsored discussion boards and chat rooms, consumer-to-consumer e-mail, consumer product or service ratings websites and forums, Internet discussion boards and forums, microblogs” (Mangold & Faulds, 2009, p. 358). • Social media integrates technology & social interaction with pictures, videos, words, and audio. • It also allows people to share different perspectives and information / stories / experiences among online communities • Power of publishing voice while providing information via multimedia + texts

6. Opportunities in Social Media

7. Social media & online education Infographic retrieved from http://www.famousbloggers.net/open-source-textbooks-infographic.html

8. How to incorporate social media into the introductory psychology classroom • Twitter • Set up a class Twitter account (ex. FrebergPSY210) • Have students tweet answers and questions with hashtag #psych or topic for class – have the Twitter stream available for students to view • Follow key Psychologists & Organizations (e.g. APS, APA) • Town Hall Virtual Office Hours on Twitter – Specify a time where students can ask you questions via Twitter • Have students research topics through social searches on Twitter and Twitter applications on current Psychology trends and issues – integrating social media monitoring research and critique • Topsy – search engine for Twitter and Google+ based on topics • Hashtags – look at trending topics appearing via Twitter • Facebook • Virtual office hours - Message chat or Discussion on Class Wall on FB • Ask questions and bring conversation to outside of the classroom – like how FB drives social connections and how theory and previous research can back this perspective in class. • Encourage students to share links to news reports or research related to the class topic – be part of the participation grade • Facebook for Educators

9. Topsy Example Retweet #s Twitter feed

10. Google+ • Host virtual office hours through Google Hangouts • Meetings via conference calls • Establishing research community within Google + Circles to brainstorm, share, and publish comments and updates. • Mashable Google + Guide • YouTube and Vimeo • Use videos in the classroom to showcase examples related to class topic • Have students construct a video presentation on topic from class where they have to interview and edit the video to post on the class video sharing page • Infographics • Have students propose creating an infographic for a topic related to class to share with others that would help them study and prepare for an exam • Include current statistics and scientific research findings – creating a visual and thorough representation of material for students • Infographic Database: Visual.ly & Example

11. Quora • Set up an account to answer questions related to Psychology • Encourage students to answer and ask questions based on research and scientific findings • Conduct research and analysis on which top Psychology journals, researchers, and academic institutions are being cited via Quora. • Network with others who are interested and invested in topics • Emerging Technologies in Mobile • Discussion on role of QR codes and Augmented reality among students related to Psychology topics • Set up the course social media page to be mobile compatible. • Research projects related to analyze current trends on this form of technology • Discussion and insights into how this technology can be used in Psychology (ex. Cockroach Phobia & Augmented Reality)

12. How to incorporate social media into research • Incorporate data mining into analysis of discussions and conversations emerging related to research topic for Psychology classes • Social mention (All social media) • Topsy Analytics (Twitter + Google+) • Create a centralized website for managing psychology research center (students and professors) brand • Word Press • Tumblr • Content analysis of Quora on Psychology topics – power of crowdsourcing information and user-generated content • Initiate a Wiki for collaborating on research projects and presentations as well as setting up an education portal for student researchers and other collaborators • Post presentations (via Slideshare) and videos (YouTube or Vimeo) highlighting research • Capstone or Senior Projects to create Mobile App to be used for Psychology research or practice • http://www.magmito.com/blog/ to start process of creating a mobile app

13. Social Mention Example Hashtag (#tags keyword for searches) Twitter result for #nitop Download data

14. How to integrate social media into campus life activities (ex. clubs) • Integrate partnerships with other departments to coordinate raising awareness about club activities on campus. • Student bloggers (both traditional and microblogs) sharing updates and information about events. • Connecting social media trends with specialized areas within Psychology (ex. Facebook Connections and Social Psychology, Emergence of Neuromarketing within Social Media, etc). • Formulate a LinkedIn group to coordinate business relationships, recommendations, and showcase resumes & CVs for graduate schools or future jobs. • Initiate video channel highlighting club research, activities, and conference poster & research presentations (YouTube or Vimeo).

15. Best Practices • To understand how to fully incorporate social media into psychology classes, you have to be consistently engaged on social media personally and professionally • Incorporate social media class policies into the syllabus • Become transdisciplinary– work with other professionals in other disciplines who are also incorporating social media into class & research • Engage in spending a little bit of time each day looking at trends in social media to stay current • Lead by example – set up a personal website, start writing a blog, and be consistently active and present on the various social media platforms. • Educate your department, students, and fellow colleagues within the Psychology community.

16. Future of Social Media Baekel. T. (April 27, 2009). Where is everyone? Baekel Online Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.baekdal.com/articles/Management/market-of-information/.

17. Social Media Resources • Main resources • Mashable (great social media blog and site): http://mashable.com/ • Social Media Classroom Resources: http://socialmediaclassroom.com/community/wiki/participatory-media-teaching-and-learning-resources • Digital Buzz (latest trends in mobile and other digital media): http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/ • The Google of Social Media - Samepoint.com • Another good search engine -Socialmention.com • Social Media Influence (Case studies): http://socialmediainfluence.com/ • Psychology and Social Media Resources • Pew Research Internet Resources: http://www.pewinternet.org/ • Media Psychology Research Center blog: http://mprcenter.org/blog/

18. Questions or comments?Thank you very much QR Code for website Laura Freberg, Ph.D. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoWebsite:www.laurafreberg.comBlog: www.laurafreberg.com/blogTwitter: @lfreberg