Social Media & Entrepreneurship: Merging the Classroom with Our Students’ Worlds Rick Coplin Venture Development Director TechColumbus

Before We Start Who are we?

What We’ll Discuss Today Education interest Education interest Our kids, a new world Our kids, a new world Social media definitions Social media definitions What our kids are doing What our kids are doing Our own experiences Our own experiences Opportunities Opportunities School policies School policies A few examples A few examples

Why Social Media & Entrepreneurs Dad to three great kids – 10 th & 7 th grade sons and a 1 st grade daughter Dad to three great kids – 10 th & 7 th grade sons and a 1 st grade daughter Computers, cell phones, iTouch/iPad & gaming Computers, cell phones, iTouch/iPad & gaming Keeping pace and setting the stage Keeping pace and setting the stage – Facebook experience Business use and positive results Business use and positive results – Dublin Entrepreneurial Center – Technology is evolving; so should we

Why Educators Should be Interested In Social Media Lifestyle integration Lifestyle integration – 6 th grade = 40%, 12 th grade = 90%* Effective communication skills offline & online Effective communication skills offline & online Reflect & utilize reality Reflect & utilize reality Natural classroom extension Natural classroom extension The blackboard vs. interactivity The blackboard vs. interactivity * Renee Ramig, Social Media in the Classroom, 11/1/2009:

What Is Their World Like? Constantly connected, communicating Constantly connected, communicating Unlimited information access Unlimited information access Generational shift B.G. -> G.N. Generational shift B.G. -> G.N. Discernment skills crucial at young ages Discernment skills crucial at young ages Friendships defined broadly Friendships defined broadly Conversations fueled by content Conversations fueled by content Kansas State ethnography video & discussion Kansas State ethnography video & discussion – Professor Michael Wesch,

Why Is Their World So Different? Technology is pervasive Technology is pervasive We use, kids have integrated We use, kids have integrated Can you tell me the time please? Can you tell me the time please? Change and innovation Change and innovation Time and distance irrelevant Time and distance irrelevant Radically different & evolving fast Radically different & evolving fast – Did You Know video educational focus: – Karl Fisch: Did You Know video: shorter version:

Social Media Defined Social media is how we share information online. Sometimes we are the audience. And sometimes we are the author. Often we are both. Social media tools include blogs, message boards, podcasts, micro blogs, bookmarks, networks, and wikis. Social media tools enable anyone to post, comment on, share content and to form communities around shared interests. Angela Siefer Founder, ShinyDoor

What Our Kids Are Doing 93% of teens (12-17) use the internet 93% of teens (12-17) use the internet – Share, tell stories, interact 75% own cell phones (55% of 12 y/o) 75% own cell phones (55% of 12 y/o) – 66% utilize texting 73% use social networking sites 73% use social networking sites – 52% have two or more profiles 62% get current events and politics news 62% get current events and politics news 57% watch videos online 57% watch videos online 48% have bought items online 48% have bought items online 15% Blog 15% Blog Source: Pew Internet – Social Media & Young Adults, February 2010

What’s Our Experience? Who uses (personally / teaching / program): Who uses (personally / teaching / program): – Facebook or MySpace – LinkedIn – Twitter – Instant messaging – Blogs, Wikis – Videocasts / Podcasts – Web tools (Wordle etc.) Can you access these from school? Can you access these from school? Who uses these for educational purposes? Who uses these for educational purposes?

My Experience Work and personal Work and personal Facebook Facebook – Ground rules passwords, expectations and guidance passwords, expectations and guidance – Friending, other parents & observations Photos Photos Videos Videos

Social Media Use Is an Opportunity Opportunities to teach, lead & communicate Opportunities to teach, lead & communicate – Privacy – Copyright s, plagiarism &ownership – Digital = forever – Boundaries – comments, photos etc. – Mistakes, gaffes will occur – Perceptions: digital world vs. real world – Global reach

School Policies Restrictive to undefined Restrictive to undefined Understand the reasons behind restrictions Understand the reasons behind restrictions – Experience / lack of experience – Apprehension with the unfamiliar – Fear of an incident or complaint ALWAYS work within school & union policies ALWAYS work within school & union policies – Seek appropriate changes via reason and value – Ask permission – Experiment – Encourage

Blogging and Wikis Find others relevant to you Find others relevant to you Start your own Start your own Start a program or company blog Start a program or company blog – Product developments – Customer recommendations – Videos & pictures – Comments – Links to sources Result: Interactive Community Result: Interactive Community

Facebook snow days

Facebook & Twitter Establish a store or company page Establish a store or company page – Advertisements – Links to more information – Specials, discounts – Project photos / videos – Invite parents, teachers, administrators, community members etc. Friend teachers, parents & students Friend teachers, parents & students – Always inform

Getting Started Understand your school & union policies Understand your school & union policies Know who has authority, influence and interest Know who has authority, influence and interest Investigate other teachers/programs Investigate other teachers/programs Start small, (low expectations help) Start small, (low expectations help) Involve teachers, administrators & parents Involve teachers, administrators & parents – Find & recruit partners Engage students Engage students Highlight successes Highlight successes Consistently look for the next opportunity to apply these tools to enhance learning Consistently look for the next opportunity to apply these tools to enhance learning

Thanks! Contact Rick Coplin: Twitter: LinkedIn: Blog: MidWest TechBiz