Learning while Tweeting: Why Not?

Using smartphones in class?  Don’t students have enough distractions?  Doesn’t tweeting or texting make students disrespectful to the professor in class?

As a professor myself, I certainly understand how distracting a smartphone can be to a student in class, but at the same time, I also believe using smartphones and tablet computers can enhance students’ learning experience if they are used appropriately.  Here is my experience.   

When I taught at Texas Tech, I had a strict policy that prohibits students from using laptops and cellphones in class.  I adopted the same policy when I first moved to Syracuse University (SU).  It made sense at that time because I wanted students to engage with me in face-to-face and verbal discussion. 

Time has changed, however.  When I developed and taught the social media class at SU and RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology).  I turned to the opposite direction.  I requested to teach in a computer lab.  Students were encouraged to used laptops, smartphones, and tablet computers, and they were required to tweet during class.  I administrated class discussion on Twitter.  Afterwards, either a student or I would summarize the class discussion on Storify.  Students could refer to class discussions (notes) on Storify at any time.  It seems to me students were engaging on Twitter.  In the end, they also became very familiar with Twitter as a communication tool, which was also one of the learning outcomes of the class.  I have found it very helpful by allowing students to use tablets or smartphones in class. 

Will students take advantage of the lenient policy?  What if they also check on something that they are not supposed to, such as writing a none-class-related post on Facebook or shopping online?  I take it this way – if students are good at multi-tasking, which means they are able to engage on Twitter and do other things at the same time, I respect them and let them continue what they are doing in class.  If they are not participating, I will “pull” them back to the class by asking them to elaborate what is said on Twitter. 

Very soon, I will be teaching in The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona.  I feel fortunate that I can teach in the “smart” classroom, which can be controlled with an iPad and has multiple screens.  I am encouraged to replace the professor-centered idea with a student-centered pedagogy.  It doesn’t matter what subjects I am teaching, I will definitely encourage students to use smartphones and/or tablet computers to interact with me, in addition to face-to-face conversations.  I am looking forward to trying out new educational apps and new teaching tactics in the “smart” classroom.  Please stay tuned for more updates.

In the end, I would like to share with you a Wall Street Journal video, which is also about using smartphones in classroom.  In your opinions, should students be allowed to use smartphones in class?  Why or why not?  What are the best practices for professors to engage with students in class?

Relevant discussion:

The Challenges of Using Social Media in Teaching

Teaching Social Media in Business Schools: What Needs to Be Covered?

Text Messages that Teach: A Great Example of Entrepreneurship in the Mobile Device Market

Can a Tough Cell Phone Policy Teach Teenagers Cell Phone Etiquette?

Still Feeling Reluctant to Adopt a Social Media Strategy: Please Think Again

Reference:

The picture was downloaded from Kellimarshall.net 

Social Networking at Age 13: Why Not?

LinkedIn announced two updates, according to The Wall Street Journal.  First, LinkedIn introduced verified university pages, providing new cyber space for applicants, current students, alumni, faculty, and staff to engage with one another.  Second, LinkedIn dropped the minimum age for the website to 13 (14 in the U.S.).  Facing these new changes, some people are concerned about whether teenagers should be allowed to access an additional social networking site.  They ask: will it be early?

I completely understand where the criticism comes from.  Many teenagers are already allowed to use a variety of social networking sites.  Recently, Twitter even completely removed the restriction on age limit (used to be 13 or older).  LinkedIn was established as the social networking site for professionals.  What is good for teenagers to spend additional time on another network?  Also, will it be too early for teenagers to get engaged in the professional world?

When it comes to career preparedness, I always believe the earlier the better.  If I were a parent of teenagers, I would be glad to see my kids “hanging out” on LinkedIn.  The university pages can be very helpful to teenagers when they need to make an informed decision about majors and colleges.  Besides verified university pages, teenagers and college students can also check out pages for their dream employers and get a feeling of the organizational culture.  The more they know about their dream employers, the better they will understand the employers’ expectations, which will help them make a better plan for their career. 

If I were an admission officer in a university or a recruiter for a company, I would also be glad to talk to a teenager on LinkedIn or just any social networking sites.  While students need to make informed decisions, universities and companies also need to assess the “fit” between the candidates and the job/organization.  Many universities and companies have already been actively engaging with the candidates on other social networking sites, why not on LinkedIn as well?

Besides these two, what other changes do you see on LinkedIn? What is your experience with the changes?  Please share your experience and thoughts with us.

Relevant discussion:

Can You Carry a Good Conversation? The Basic of Social Networking

Making Personal Connections in Job Search

Tactics of Seeking Jobs on Social Media

Career Preparedness: How Early is Too Early?

Reference:

The picture was downloaded from CarpetBaggery

Last week, I visited Google LA Office with a friend.  We went there to pick up his Google Glass.  Supposedly, I should talk about my experience with the Glass, right?  But in fact, I would rather share with you my reflections on the tour.

I arrived 30 minutes ahead of schedule, but two Google associates had been waiting for me and my friend in front of the office.  They told me they were in the Google Glass Team.  In the LA office, there are about 20 members in the team.  Each team member is also part of the 3000+ “explorers” selected by Google to test the prototype.  For now, the Glass is only available (and tested) in the U.S. market.  Google seeks feedback from the explorers for product improvement.  Google also analyzes what people talk about the product on the internet.  During our visit, the associates spent two hours showing us step-by-step how to operate the Glass.  We were encouraged to spend as much time as we wanted until we felt comfortable with the Glass.

If you really want to hear my true opinions about the Glass, I must admit that I am not very excited about the current prototype.  It needs more improvement before it can become the next big thing.  I, however, was impressed with this innovative idea and Google’s effort on the product.  

Based on visits to Google (I also toured the Google Campus in Mountain View two years ago), it is not difficult for me to figure out why this company is doing so well in the market.  Today, almost 80% of smartphones being shipped in the global market operate on the Android platform.  As of August 17, 2013 (Saturday), Google’s stock is selling at $856.25 a share; Apple and Microsoft are selling for $503.10 and $31.80 a share respectively.  

What makes a company successful?  Besides other contributing factors, it appears to me that a company’s success must root in its ability to provide useful solutions for human beings.  Microsoft was very successful when it introduced Windows, allowing people to “communicate with” computers using the easy-to-understand “human languages.”  Apple became the most admired company when it introduced iPhone and iPad.  Today, both companies are still doing very well, but investors are showing concerns of their future.  At a point when a company is no longer able to provide innovative approaches to solve real-life problems, the halo around the company fades.  I am glad to see Google is very serious about the Glass and is actively seeking feedback from customers.  Because of that, I am expecting to see big improvement of the Glass soon.   

In the end, I would like share with you a 60 Minutes Interview by CBS.  It features Bill Gates on how he views technology and innovation.  I hope more companies and institutions will focus on research that helps people solve real-life problems.  Regardless how “small” a problem may look like, an innovative solution may have big impact to people’s lives.

Do you believe innovation is the key for success in business?  If so, where do innovative ideas come from?   

Relevant discussion:

Great Entrepreneurship Ideas Must Root in Useful Service 

Creating an Organizational Cultural that Nurtures Freedom of Thinking 

To check out more pictures about my tours of Google, please visit:
Facebook Album - Tour of Google LA Office

Facebook Album - Tour of Google Campus in Mountain View

The Basic of Digital Etiquette

If you are reading my blog now, you are probably also very active on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media websites.  Over the years, has anyone made you wonder if s/he needs training on digital etiquette?

It happened that Today’s Show also discussed this topic earlier. Let’s see if it is well-said. Here are some highlights:  

• “Unplug” completely during vacation.
• Do not over posting “food porn” unless the food is really special or in a special occasion. Also, do it when it does not bother others in the restaurant and the servers.
• Limit the number of hashtags --- there is not a set limit. Personally, I think it is good to have up to three hashtags for every post. Too many hashtags equal to no hashtag for me. For that being said, it is a idea to create a hashtag for a special event like a wedding for tracking.
• A written thank you note is always better than a thank you message on e-mail. 
• Just like daily conversations, too many update about a person’s political views, personal opinions, and his/her life might annoy other people.

I believe the basic of digital etiquette is simple --- be thoughtful to others. In this case, we need to keep in mind “WIIFM” (What’s In It For Me? Me = the audience). Sharing updates on social media is certainly important, but engaging with the audience is the key to develop a meaningful relationship.  

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

  

Relevant discussions: 

Etiquette for the New Age 

Social Media Etiquette for Business 

Dinner Etiquette 

New Dining Etiquette by Zagat 

Smart Phone Etiquette 

Mobile Etiquette on Vacation 

Mobile Etiquette 

Wedding Etiquette in the Age of Social Media 

Wedding Etiquette 

International Etiquette 

  

References:

The picture was downloaded from NBCNews.com

Wedding Etiquette in the Age of Social Media

In today’s age, a guest shares an average of 22 photos per wedding on social media sites (The Today Show - NBC News Network). The truth is no matter if we like it or not, social media has forever changed the way people do weddings, but does everyone know the wedding etiquette in the age of social media? Based on what is discussed in the NBC News video, I recommend the following:

For the Bride and Groom

• Make up your mind if you prefer to either keep your wedding private or make it a “public” event on the internet.
• If you want to keep yours a private and exclusive event, make it clear that you do not want anyone to post anything on the internet.
• If you do not mind making yours a “public” event, you may do yourself a favor by creating a hashtag for your wedding and encourage your guests to post updates using the hashtag. Unless you have told your guests not to share any updates about your wedding, chances are you will find updates and pictures about your wedding everywhere on the internet anyway. So, creating a hashtag will help you better organize the updates, pictures, and videos about your wedding later.
• Provide your guests clear RSVP instructions (e.g., surface mail, e-mail, online, and etc.).
• Engage with your guests before and after the wedding by participating in their conversations about your wedding --- you will be occupied with many other and more important things during the wedding.

For Wedding Guests

• Respect the bride and groom for their privacy preference of their wedding.
• If they want to keep the wedding a “private” event, do not share anything about the wedding before, during, or after the event.
• If the bride or groom did not tell you their preference, ask before posting anything about the wedding on the internet.
• Ask for permission of other guests before posting or tagging pictures of them (we should do that in every occasion really).
• Take off a picture immediately if one of the persons in the picture asks you to do so.
• Follow the RSVP instructions (e.g., surface mail, online invitation, e-mail, etc.).
• Pay full attention to the groom and bride during the wedding and enjoy the experience of being there as a guest, unless you are expected to be the photographer for the wedding.

Have I covered every key point? What else do you want to add to the list? What is the “inappropriate social-media behavior(s)” you have seen in a wedding?

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

References:

The picture was downloaded from arkarthick.com