Technology, Social Media, and Student Affairs Practice Tia Chea Shepherd University

Technology, Social Media, and Student Affairs Practice Introduction Tia’s social experiment: Identity theories on the world wide web Films, Photography, & Graphic designs social media as a marketing tool Tips and tricks on social media

Introduction Name Title the college/university you’re representing What’s your favorite social media website and why?

Consumers and Producers Users are consumers and producers o People are both viewers and creators of contents on social media websites Ex: Myspace: users code HTMLs on their pages Facebook: updating statuses/curating the web via sharing links/pics o “we curate the best of the webs” Youtube: homemade viral cat & baby videos

Question #1: How can we as student affairs practitioners or professionals benefit from using social media websites? o Departmental “pages” o “events” and invites on FB o Welcome videos & o Virtual campus tours on Youtube o Academic research and discussion on Tumblr

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Question #2 How can we use technology and social media to talk about important ideas in the world of student affairs? o For examples: social change model, development theories, social justice issues, academic research? How can we as student affairs practitioners or professionals benefit from using social media websites? Question #1

Assumptions: Students wants to socialize on the web rather than learn about complex theories Students are attracted to pictures, short videos, memes, quizzes, and “clickable” links Students are interested in what my friends are doing and what they are working on: social experience

Research Questions How invested are students in learning about identity development theories on social media? Are photography and films considered as contributing factor in students/users engagement on social media websites? Are friends and peers of users considered contributing factors to engagement on social media websites? Are students learning and understanding the materials they are viewing and consuming on social media websites?

Tia’s Social Experiment The Heart’s Native Tongue o Film project: Discussion of identity development theories and how language, power, and privilege contribute to own identity. Theory relating to Student Affairs practice: social identity theory Experiment o Photography + short videos o Get users invested in the project by allowing them to be the content creator o Upload to FB + Youtube Methods o Find a name for your brand o Make sure you brand name are available on all social media sites o Create a logo: Profile pic + banner o Make sure your brand is consistent on all sites for easy recognition o Youtube Channel: intro video o Write up a bio o Quotes to pair with pictures and videos to capture audience’s attention

Tips Make sure you are creating quality content – HD pics/videos Use FB insights to check users level of engagement: use as an assessment tool Let your project evolve and run its course Give people incentives: users are consumers & producers Get diverse groups involved in your project. You'll then get their diverse supporters/friends.

Reach out to local celebrities. Don’t feel like you have to get Beyonce or some other A-list star in order to make your event successful. Your local mayor or local band can be a great draw.

Results How invested are students in learning about identity development theories on social media? o We need to survey users to get this answer Are photography and films considered a contributing factor in students/users engagement on social media websites? o Look at FB insight page Are friends and peers of users considered contributing factors to engagement on social media websites? o Look at FB insight page Are students learning and understanding the materials they are viewing and consuming on social media websites? We need to survey users to get this answer

94 “Likes” on FB in 4 months, 500 total video view counts

DOs & DON’Ts Think about the user. You think tweeting 40 times in one hour at an event is interesting, your followers might disagree. Sometimes we get so lost in our organizational priorities that we forget about the user. With each tweet, Facebook status or video on YouTube, ask yourself “if I was the user, would I be compelled to engage with this content?” Respect the medium. Follow the social etiquette of social networks. Don’t get on Twitter and just push out your own content all day; other users, ask questions. Respecting the medium within Twitter means engaging with the network. Use Facebook as a platform for discussion; don’t just link out to content. Respecting the medium in Facebook means mostly keeping people within network, that’s where they want to be.

DOs & DON’Ts Establish an online persona. Establish yourself as a leader in your space and make sure you have a distinct online voice. The more you can break through the crowded social space, the more likely you are to build an active online following. Fresh content. Think about it, the most successful websites or blogs are the ones that are updated daily or hourly. A week is too long to wait for new content in this new world. Keep your social presences active so your fans continue to check in for updates. Channel Specific content. Create content that is network specific. If you push out the exact same content on Twitter and Facebook, what’s the reason to follow or like both?

Q & A with Tia Chea