To inspire or not to inspire, that is the question!
Hossein Hamam
American University of Beirut
June 16, 2013 AMICAL Conference 2013
– Abstract nature of classroom information– Inability to simplify complex thoughts– Generation difference
Problems Faced by Educators
– Classroom is no longer the main source of information
– Decreased dependence on basic or abstract information
– Open and Easy Access of Information
Problems Faced by Educators
– Mechanism of communication• Online communication within LMS• Social media and communication• Establishing close Rapport starting from the first day
– Nature of the communicated message
There is a need to improve the message
Online communication within LMS
– Encourages and promotes instructor-student, student-student, and student-content interaction
– Gives all participants an equal chance to formulate and share comprehensive thoughts
– Encourages critical thinking and gives time for thoughtful reflection
Online Communication within LMS
Social Networking
– Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp groups, Blogs, Wiki, Linkedin, Google+
– 3.6 hours spent daily on Social Networking (Ipsos Open Thinking Exchange, 2013)
– 34% of educators use Social Media in education(Pearson Learning Solutions and the Babson Survey Research, 2012)
Social Networking
– Provide a casual place for learning– Encourage students to express their own thoughts– Enhance student’s learning experiences– Offer a channel of resources and knowledge
exchanges– Form communities of practice
Benefits of Social Networking
– Fosters diversity• Exposes a vast majority of opinion
– Establishes enduring relationships with peers• Linkedin connections will last long after the classroom
ends
– Motivates students• Informed of the latest advancements and updates in
their field• Blogs and Twitter help reach out larger audiences
Benefits of Social Networking
Statistics
– The highest rates of usage occur in the disciplines of Humanities and Arts, Professions and Social Sciences
– The Fundamental Sciences note a lack of suitable content on social media
Social media can actively support lifelong learning by offering:– Accessible, flexible and dynamic learning– Networking potential– Supports interaction and collaboration among and
between learners and teachers
Social Networking and Life Long Learning
Establishing Close Rapport Starting From the First Day
– Communicate even before the start of the session• Welcome message• Instructor’s Bio• Course goals and objectives• Students Learning Outcomes
Establishing Close Rapport starting from the first day
– Ice breaker sessions• The “favorite window” activity • Pinterest board • Online graffiti
Establishing Close Rapport starting from the first day
– Online Lounge• Trendy Topics• Communicate informally
Establishing Close Rapport starting from the first day
Nature of the Communicated Message
– Course content should be linked to resources and support material
Nature of the communicated message
– Course content should be linked to publishers
Nature of the communicated message
– Course concepts should be linked to scientists who made the major discoveries
Nature of the communicated message
– Course content should be linked to the respective scientific societies
– Course content should highlight brilliant scientists, starting up or well accomplished
Nature of the communicated message
• Instructors should shift their mission away from the abstract delivery of knowledge, which might soon become obsolete, to the more effective and longer lasting act of inspiring a flame of knowledge in the hearts and minds of their students by changing the nature of the communicated message, as well as the means.
Conclusion
• Learning 2.0 - The Impact of Social: Media on Learning in Europehttp://groups.etwinning.net/c/document_library/get_file?p_l_id=13808&folderId=32348&name=DLFE-752.pdf
• Ipsos Open Thinking Exchange (OTX)http://ipsos-na.com/news-polls/pressrelease.aspx?id=5954
• How Higher Education Faculty Are Using Social Mediahttp://wp.lasalle.edu/blog/how-higher-education-faculty-are-using-social-media/
References