AcAdv, BreakDrink, CTC, Learning Community, NACADA Tech

Who is Your Tech BFF?

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

Social Media Strategies in Student Affairs

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.

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

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


CTC, EC&I831, Open Education, Podcast

An Open Educator

Last September I joined a pretty interesting course I heard about on Twitter called EC&I 831: Social Media & Open Education. Little did I know how much learning and engagement an online course could provide in just one semester.

Dr. Alec Couros , from the University of Regina, is the faculty who facilitated this open, online graduate course and I participated as a non-credit student during the Fall 2009. Although this course did not go towards any specific degree requirements for my Ph.D. program, it did influence my practice with social media as a learner, researcher, and educator. Along with other students (credit & non-credit), I was introduced to a myriad of #edtech topics, online resources, pioneers in the #edtech field (See ARCHIVED Fall 2009), and, of course, it helped build my personal learning network.

The Networked Teacher c/o courosa on Flickr

So it was only fitting that just shy of a year later, I am fortunate to discuss the great impacts EC&I 831 made on me and more! Dr. Couros shared his philosophy on open education, his open tenure application, involvement in social media & justice and his experience as an open educator using social media for instruction, research, publications and professional development.

The Campus Tech Connection had a very enjoyable chat with @courosa on the CTC #10 podcast to discuss his experience and process as an open educator. Both @jacksonj and I agree – that he was a delight to talk with and learn from. We would welcome him back anytime in the future as a guest, or heck, even an honorary host of the #CTC podcast.

Are you interested and have time to take a class this Fall? Then I would strongly suggest you participate as a non-credit student in EC & I 831: Social Media & Open Education.

See you NEXT week for the Campus Tech Connection #11 on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 7 pm CDT with guest Ed Cabellon (@EdCabellon).

For now enjoy LAST week’s show with Alec HERE

UPDATE:

Dr. Couros just posted about his Open Graduate Course & Call for Network Mentors on his blog… including a great new promo video for the course: