Transcript Using alternative media to deliver welfare and finance

Using online social networking
as a tool to support students
Jo Gibson
Kirstin Thompson
NADP Conference
Wednesday 17 September
2008
Overview
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Introductions & expectations
Background research
Our experiences
Feedback
Ongoing research
Summary
Background
• Work carried out in recent years
• Implications and opportunities provided for HEIs
by technological advancements within wider
society
• Lack of research into the use of such technology
in providing support and advice to students
• HEI websites and online forums are often the
first stop when students are looking for the
information they require (Ipsos MORI, 2006)
Social Networking Websites
• Facebook, MySpace and Bebo are often
talked about in the media
• Other social networking sites:
– LinkedIn, JustCan, Orkut, Ning…
• Facebook, MySpace and Bebo are
currently the sites with a greater York St
John presence
Facebook
• Launched in 2004 as a social networking site for
Harvard University
• Allows users to chat, post photos and comments
and connect with fellow users through online interest
groups
• In September 2006 Facebook allowed anyone with
an email address to register
• There are currently over 3,500 users registered on
the York St John network, and 12,000 users on the
University of Reading network. There are also users
that are not members of the networks
MySpace
• Founded in 2003 & bought in 2005 by Rupert
Murdoch’s News Corporation for £290m
• The fifth most popular website in any language
• Also allows users to register profiles, photos,
comments, and groups
• Used by many musicians, bands and music fans
• Currently just over 2,000 members linked to
York St John and around 3,200 University of
Reading members
Bebo
• Founded in 2005
• Expanded quickly to allow uploading of photos,
posting comments, creating blogs
• Used mostly by younger web users
• For York St John students there are currently
very few discussion groups
Our experiences (1)
• 2006-07
– basic use of MySpace and Facebook introduced as system for
communicating with and providing advice for students
– Access to Learning Fund application process advertised via
Facebook
– Communication with students in relation to accommodation
queries, particularly for students experiencing problems with
their landlord, using MySpace
• 2007-08
– a lot of groups set-up on Facebook and MySpace by York St
John applicants ‘meeting’ housemates, coursemates and those
with similar social interests, prior to arrival in York
Our experiences (2)
• 2007-08 cont.
– Welfare Service used Facebook for students requesting
appointments, and for providing information about campaigns
– housing advice workshops delivered each academic year have
been advertised on Facebook, and linked to the York St John
network
– Welfare Adviser monitoring student comments in groups and on
discussion forums, which have mostly been associated with
landlords and housing issues - has helped with the targeting of
information included within welfare campaigns
• Students’ Union
– successfully used online social networking websites for informing
students about events taking place
– inclusion of the use of social networking sites in election
campaign regulations
• 2008-09 Developments
Student feedback
“just wanted to send a message to say i think
doing a facebook group is great. and i like how
its private too. yet still allows you contact in a
1st Year student, December 2007
more casual way.”
“…facebook is a brill idea, in which i can be
more honest and open and therefore receive
better help. plus i can use it at stupid o clock,
2nd Year student,
January
2008 of
cos i don't sleep much, whereas
other
means
contact i couldn't use so late…”
Student feedback
“I found out via Facebook about the support
available from the student finance team. I
entered ‘York St John’ and all the groups
appeared. I was struggling with my forms and
unsure of the funding I could get, so I sent a
message and requested an appointment using
facebook.”
Pre-entry student, August 2007
Accessibility of sites
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CAPTCHA problems
W3C/WAI advice
Flexibility of advice/information provision
AbilityNet eNation report (Jan 2008)
Concerns raised
• Not all students will access social
networking sites
• Upkeep of sites if staff/priorities change
• Liability if hosting groups
• Perceptions around HEI presence
• Accessibility of sites
• ‘Vetting’ of ‘unofficial’ groups
The future of social networking
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Monitoring of existing groups and events
Setting-up of groups as issues arise
Investigate research in general & specific to HE
Joint projects
Web 2.0 developments
January 2008 social networking statistics
Opportunities for interaction with students and
promotion of events
• Concerns of HEIs
References & further reading
• Experian. (2008). The Impact of Social Networking in the UK.
http://mel.hemstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/hitwise-socialnetworking-report-2008.pdf.
• Ipsos MORI. (2006). HEIs’ provision of online financial information:
A research study and good practice guidance for The Office for Fair
Access.
• Selwyn, N. (2008). An investigation of differences in
undergraduates’ academic use of the internet. Active Learning in
Higher Education, Vol 9: 11-22. London: Sage Publications.
• Beer, D., & Burrows, R. (2007). Sociology and, of and in Web 2.0:
Some Initial Considerations. Sociological Review Online, Vol 12,
Issue 5. http://www.socresonline.org.uk/12/5/17.html.
Additional references can be emailed – please
ask
Discussion
Thank you for listening
Contact details
If you would like to discuss any of the
aspects of this workshop with us then
please get in touch:
Kirstin Thompson
Jo Gibson
Student Finance Officer
Student Financial Support Manager
York St John University
University of Reading
01904 876939
0118 378 7430
[email protected]
[email protected]