Category: BreakDrink

AcAdv, BreakDrink, CTC, Learning Community, NACADA Tech

Who is Your Tech BFF?

Laura Pasquini

Q: “How do you stay on top of all things technology and remain current with online trends?”

A: “My Technology B.F.F. (Best Friend Forever), of course!”

The term BFF is often used by “the kids” these these days, but after reflecting on where I learn and engage in technology, this became the best term I can use. Sure my Tech BFF is a mentor, guide, coach, instructor and instigator – but most of all this individual is a friend. My Tech BFF helps introduce me to useful ideas, connects me to other people, engages me in the social network to challenge me both personally and professionally.

Flickr Photo c/o Hoodlumpr

Okay. I am cheating. I have a few of these Tech BFF’s in my life. This collaborative helps to inform what I do and how I learn. I am able to connect, collaborate, question and play with online group on a regular basis. Today I will highlight one of the esteemed members from my personal learning network – let me introduce one of my Tech BFF’s: Mr. @EricStoller

I was fortunate to connect with Eric during our faculty stint at NACADA for the 1st EVER Technology Seminar at the end of 2008 with Karen Thurmond & George Steele. My initial interaction with Eric was via e-mail, Skype and on via the interwebs. This seems appropriate since he has been one of many to inspire me to further embrace the power of online connection for social justice and collaborative partnerships. Since this first meet up (where I discovered Eric was much taller than he appeared on webcam), I have been fortunate to be supported by this colleague as we transition in our careers and pursue our dreams.

I proudly present to you the latest & greatest Campus Tech Connection podcast #16 that features Eric Stoller and his recent happenings. In this podcast we discuss the following items:

Thanks for your support, ideas and friendship. May our tech connection live long and prosper.

The question is: Who’s your (tech) Jedi master?

BreakDrink, CTCX, Podcast

The Power of Podcasting

Laura Pasquini

Podcasting is online audio content that is delivered via an RSS feed, almost like radio-on demand. Listeners can determine the time and the place when they will access this audio (and even video) content they want to hear with the podcast archive.

Podcasting is a powerful learning and training resource for any educators tool box. It’s an easy and simple way to share information, describe a concept or dialog about a relevant topic. Even better, this format of learning is mobile, accessible and a handy application that allows learners to return to for review later.

This photograph is c/o Flickr member martin.canchola

In a previous life at the University of Toronto Scarborough Academic Advising & Career Centre, I helped to initiate a pilot program that developed academic & career vodcasts.  I was fortunate to have a group of great students and staff who were interested in producing podcasts to help optimize our advising & career resources for our office. Word of our podcasting got out, and soon other departments like the ESL Cafe & Writing Centre were interested in joining in on the podcasting fun.

Some of the key reasons we started to podcast included:

  • Same FAQs from students were basic and advisors/counselors wanted deeper, meaningful questions
  • Accessible, bite-sized information
  • Mobile resources “on-the-go” for our large commuter student population
  • New design: beyond the PDF handout – add a new multi-media dimension to our website
  • To archive presentations and information that is shared at a single time in the year
  • Tutorials to help empower our students for their academic & career planning

My first introduction to podcasting started when I attended the NACADA conference in Baltimore & met a couple of Academic Advisors who were doing it well. The Campus Tech Connection podcast #15 shares the story of these advisor podcasting pioneers who were interested in meeting the needs of students in a new digital way:

Podcasting: So easy even a student affairs professional can do it. Guest Clay Schwenn and Kurt Xyst joined us to talk podcasting and Academic Advising. Their podcast has over 14,000 subscribers (that is 1398 more than this podcast). They are both Undergraduate Academic Counselors with the Gateway Center at the University of Washington. They do not have a tech background, but were looking for creative ways to reach students.

Speaking of podcasts…

Stay tuned for tonight’s episode of the Campus Tech Connection as we welcome @EricStoller to the program. Here’s how to listen & participate:

BreakDrink, CTC, Higher Education, nacada10, SAchat, Social Media

Social Media Strategies in Student Affairs

Laura Pasquini

Last night, the Break Drink Campus Tech podcasting crew decided to tackle the hot topic of Social Media Strategies in Student Affairs. During the Campus Tech #14 show, the three of us shared some thoughts and ideas that are currently being put into practice for many higher education institutions, and discussed how social media is impacting our university and college campuses.

Photo c/o http://www.policytool.net/

The hot topic included the following discussion points:

  • digital citizenship
  • education and awareness of Student Affair practitioners and students
  • the evolution of social media on campus
  • questions & concerns for best practices of social media in higher ed
  • examples of current social media policies & guidelines
  • resources for developing social media strategy for your campus

Image c/o The Advanced Human Technologies Group

Here are a few great resources to check out if you are designing your own social media strategy on campus:

In thinking about this grand topic, the Campus Tech posse realized that it was a daunting issue to tackle in a 60 minute podcast. The discussion about emerging technology and social media in higher education will not be over soon. To help continue the conversation and support best practices using social media, I initiated a digital archive of resources we hope other Student Affairs practitioners will contribute to:

Social Media Strategies in Student Affairs Google Doc

If your campus has a social media strategy or you have further resources for best practices, please share them in the above document. The Campus Tech show would love to know what you think about social media on campus, and we will be sure to talk about updates or comments we receive.

NEXT WEEK on the Campus Tech Podcast:  Speaking of Social Media in Higher Education….

Stay tuned for the show next Monday (8/4/10) at 7 pm CDT as we connect to the LIVE happenings of the 2010 NACADA Annual Conference for Academic Advising professionals. This year is the first year @NACADA has recruited a team to support social media and a backchannel for participants near & far.  Here’s the NACADA Social Media Guide & be sure to follow the hashtag #nacada10.

BreakDrink, CTC, Higher Education, SAchat

Red Rover, Red Rover We Call Tom Krieglstein Right Over.

Laura Pasquini

The Campus Tech podcast had a delightful chat with Tom Krieglstein last night. We learned about SUPERCAMP, startups, and the beginnings of #SAChat all within the latest CTC Podcast #13.

Photog from @tomkrieglstein

Tom shared with us how #SAChat was founded almost a year ago with the help @DebraSanborn. He shared with us the development and growth of The SA Collaborative, and how excited he was to watch it flourish with numerous Student Affairs professionals contributing, commenting and reading the regular blogs and contributing to the weekly #SAChat discussions on Twitter.

Tom discussed his development of Red Rover with @kprentiss. Red rover (as defined by the website) is “A simple web service that helps your students connect and contribute to their college community.” Tom is a big proponent for thinking about how we bring our students and communities together on campus. Although he claims to not be a dancer, Tom does believe that “dancing” together will help build community for our students.

Here’s how to dance with Tom (& on campus with your students):

  1. You have fun
  2. Meet people.
  3. Connect people to each other.
  4. Make small groups & then get out of the way.

Other Campus Tech News Bites & Information:

Kiva Adds Student Loans To Microlending Marketplace

Facebook Phone?

Google Docs Editing Coming to iPad and Android

Next Week’s Campus Tech Connection with @jacksonj, @jefflail & @laurapasquini = HOT TOPIC: Social Media Policy, Privacy & Issues on Campus

  • Does your school have a social media policy/guidelines? If so please send them to breakdrink@gmail.com
  • Question, comment or show idea? Leave a message or text us at 732-982-BREAK (7325)
  • Join us LIVE next Monday (9/27) at 7 pm CDT at BreakDrink Live, on Twitter with the hashtag #CTC and/or by calling in with a question [(646) 652-2342] during the program.
BreakDrink, CTC, Podcast, SAchat, Social Media

Campus Tech Connection is “On The Go” with Ed Cabellon

Laura Pasquini

After a week off for Labour Day, the Campus Tech Connection crew had @EdCabellon join in for CTC podcast #12.

Photo c/o http://edcabellon.com/

Ed has worked in higher education & student affairs for 13 years and he is currently the Director of the Campus Center at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts.  He is a strong advocate for engaging in social media at his campus and a large proponent of sharing and growing with the emerging media resources, which has let LTE Consulting (Leadership, Technology & Education) evolve for professional development of colleges, universities and small businesses.

I have been fortunate to connect with Ed through #SAChat, and read his posts on The Student Affairs Blog. This interview provided our CTC group with a bit more information about Ed and his workings with social media in higher education.

Be sure to join us on Monday (September 20th) at 7 pm CDT when the Campus Tech Connection are LIVE with Tom Krieglstein founder of SwiftKick & red rover