Mobilizing Faculty into the Future: Using Online Technology as Teaching Tools

Facebook & Google+ in Computer Production & Imaging (Adobe Photoshop)
Paul Kopco
Research Environment & Social Media Used:
Mass Communication
Computer Production
& Imaging 315
Facebook
Google +
YouTube
10 Students
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to provide online students a richer educational experience by using common social media
outlets, providing them a way to interact with each other as they would in a classroom setting, without having to
resort to hard-to-set-up and hard-to-understand methods and technologies. Since group conferencing had recently
been built into Google+, and since many people have Google accounts via Gmail or YouTube, I thought this would be a
reasonable solution to face-to-face communication. Also, creating a Facebook page for the course would allow sharing
and critiquing of class projects.
Assignment as Given to Students:
To participate in the Facebook page and to acquire a Google account if they didn't have one.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/465484033535221/ref=br_tf
Methodology 1 - Purpose:
While many students view YouTube constantly for entertainment, many did not feel YouTube was okay for research.
Another problematic view is the assumption that if it is on YouTube, it must be accurate. By requiring they learn the
process of posting a YouTube video, they could see how simple it is for anyone to post. By requiring a YouTube source
in their research, they had to view many opinions. All writing is an argument because writing reflects the author’s
view of the subject. The same thought goes for uploaded videos. Validity and reliability are key in research.
Methodology 2 - Process:
There are many proprietary solutions for online group participation and interaction, such as the Elluminate web conferencing
tool in use at BHSU with web, audio, video, and social networking solutions that allow students, faculty,
and staff to communicate using current technology. But rather than requiring students to access and learn a new
technology from scratch, I was hoping there would be a more familiar solution to group interaction using the social
media outlets they are already used to.
Methodology 3 – Practical Issues:
A Facebook page was created for the course where students could upload their Photoshop projects and I could post
course-related links and announcements. A Google+ circle was created for the purpose of adding students, which required
the students to have a Google account, whether through Gmail, YouTube, or Google+.
27