Unit 4: Web 2.0 - Social Interactivity

 A short introduction

Hi!

    My name is Jennifer Hicks and I am the circulation supervisor at Gardner-Harvey Library. I became a student worker at the library during undergrad and here we still are over a decade later.  I received my BA in English/Lit from Miami U, my MLIS from Kent State, and by May of this coming year I will hopefully be adding Master's of Instructional Design to the list. 

From left to right: Cam, Millie, and Jax.

 I have a human teenager, but these are my babies :)

For assignment 4.1 I have chosen the following list of social tools to explore:

1. Name of application- TikTok

Type of learning- 

Understanding: TikTok can be used to help students understand different topics, ideas, or instructions through the use of short videos.

Creating: Depending on the group of students, they may also be able to film videos to display their understanding of a subject,

Type of learning experience-

    The use of TikTok in an educational setting can fall under several levels of Dale's Cone of Experience. 

Students can experience information through watching videos (motion pictures). Learning may also be experienced through TikTok if students create videos showing demonstrations of what they have learned. This learning experience could go as far as direct, purposeful experiences depending on what the learner is capturing in their video.

Integration of TikTok for teaching and learning-

    TikTok has been on my work ideas list for some time. I have used TikTok to learn skills and I think it would be a great resource to create for the library. A GHL account could provide short how-to videos on a wide variety of skills such as searching for academic articles or reserving a study room. Videos could also be created to highlight TEC Lab equipment or provide short instructional videos. While not every Miami Student uses TikTok or could it be assumed they would want to follow a library TikTok account, we are always looking for new ways to reach more students.

2. Name of application- Instagram

Type of learning-

    

Remembering: For the sometimes nontraditional instruction that I could facilitate through Instagram, learners could search through library posts to find information on programs and short instructions located on a platform they are already using. 

Type of learning experience-

    In the capacity I would use Instagram for educating provides a learning experience through still pictures. It does feel that is is a disservice to place this resource so high on Dale's cone, but this doesn't take into account that Instagram is not just a still image, but an entire platform of searchable information.

Integration of Instagram for teaching and learning-

    As I don't teach in a traditional classroom setting, my uses may differ from educators with a dedicated group of students.  As with TikTok, Instagram would be a great resource for promoting library activities or showing off different areas of the library. With these types of social media we can meet students where they are in a format they prefer. The library has an account that is not active. It would be great to revamp the account and start providing more frequent content. 

3. Name of application-Padlet 

                              

Type of learning-

Applying: A TEC Lab maker community could be created with a Padlet by letting members choose relevant material to add. The Padlet could also be seen as a way to bookmark interesting makerspace ideas.

Creating: Members of a Padlet can collaborate to share information on instructions and techniques relevant to the makerspace. They can also use the Padlet as a resource for instructions to make their own creations.

Type of learning experience-

    I believe in Dale's Cone of Experience, my use of Padlet for educational purposes would fall under exhibits. Providing a Padlet that focuses on the library makerspace will help to gather a variety of online sources that members could browse and learn about different projects and equipment.

Integration of Padlet for teaching and learning-

    As stated above, I think a Padlet would be a great way to create a maker community where members could share ideas and look for inspiration.  Library staff can provide equipment instructions in several different media forms in a single place. Students and other users can add project instructions and provide feedback if they have tried it as well as tips and tricks they would suggest. 

    I have been interested in using all of the above mentioned applications, but I do believe I will be making a TEC Lab Padlet in the very near future. I have so many project instructions hidden in a Google Doc, it would be great to be able to display and share them in a more visually appealing and interactive format.

4. Name of application-Blogger

Type of learning-

Understanding: Blogs can be used as a way to facilitate discussions. For instance, the library could create a book club blog. Library staff that would like to participate could create blog posts about books and provide discussion starters. Readers could then have asynchronous discussions through commenting on the posts. 

Evaluating: A blog created for the TEC Lab could post project instructions with details about how to complete the project in the library. Readers could search the blog for information and ask questions or provide commentary on the instructions. Having direct feedback on the instructional material is useful so that revisions can be made when needed.

Type of learning experience-

 If discussing the use of a blog for TEC Lab instructions, I would place this on the demonstration level of Dale's Cone of Experience. Each blog post would provide a demonstration of completing a project by using images and written instructions. The intended outcome of the blog posts would be that instructions were clearly relayed to readers.

Integration of Blogger for teaching and learning-

    Of the mentioned applications, I will admit this was the one I would be least likely to implement. I read blogs for inspiration or instructions and feel they are great for providing information. I don't know if (Gen Z)college students would choose a blog as a preferred source of getting their information. I could be completely wrong though.  As mentioned in the responses above, I can definitely imagine how a blog could be used for educational purposes in the library.  The library director does link to blog posts on the library website, but the topic of his posts range from books added to the collection to upcoming events.