Developing discipline partnerships through local and global networks

Using social media to

develop discipline

partnerships through local

and global networks

Sue Beckingham | @suebecks

Sheffield Hallam University

‘Developing a discipline partnership online: local and global communities’

My talk will consider the importance of utilising social media and other digital tools to develop communities within and beyond the university; share case studies from both staff and students; and also some good practice tips.

Developing disciplinary communities in STEM event

21st May 2015

We are aware social media

permeates students’ lives.

Can it be leveraged effectively to extend not

only the classroom and deepen students’

learning, but as a means for STEM

professionals to connect, communicate

and collaborate?

Teamwork is the ability to work together

toward a common vision. The ability to

direct individual accomplishments toward

organizational objectives. It is the fuel that

allows common people to attain

uncommon results.

Andrew Carnegie

WHERE CAN THIS

HAPPEN?

Build digital

professional

networks

SOME CASE STUDIES

LinkedIn groups

Course alumni groups:

• connect final years to alumni

• access to relevant guest speakers

• alumni post jobs/internships/placements

• Q&A forum

Industry groups:

• learn from the professionals

• make useful connections

For example:

Computer and Network Engineering

Computer Networks

Business and Networking Engineering

• Computer Network Engineering and

Aeronautical Engineering

Group for each intake, so each year

different group.

• Tutor joins when invited in

• Students happy to post information

on behalf of tutor

STUDENT LED GROUPS

STEM

networks

http://www.stemettes.org/

Watch this space

THE

UNIVERSITY

To encourage

dialogue you need a

call to action....

YOU

• Choose the right platforms

• Build your online presence

• Build relationships

• Quality not quantity

• Lead by example

STUDENTS

• Set them tasks to build their professional

online presence, interact in digital spaces,

develop confidence to build networks

Tips

"If you have an apple and I have an

apple and we exchange these apples

then you and I will still each have one

apple.

But if you have an idea and I have an

idea and we exchange these ideas, then

each of us will have two ideas."

George Bernard Shaw

Sue Beckingham

Educational Developer and Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, with a

research interest in the use of social media in education.

Twitter: @suebecks

Blog: http://socialmediaforlearning.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/suebeckingham