EPLT Online

It’s amazing all the technology that’s evolving so that people can interact online. Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and so many others, all exist to help people keep in touch with the world they live in, though hopefully it’s not taking too much time away from the *real* world they’re living in.

We try to keep on top of some of the big trends in social media, especially those that can aid in the educational arena (hence, the name “Educational Technology” in our degree). Those of you who have visited our web site know that we’re now on Twitter. A graduate started a group on Facebook for MET students and alumni, though it’s not really being used right now. I like the idea of students and alumni taking that kind of initiative to keep in touch, but I hesitate to do much to change that status. It’s not “official” and I want it to be seen as a student/alumni initiative, not just another arm of the program. I would love it if people started it up again, but that may be too much to ask. You’re more than welcome to try, though.

Even though I don’t post on it as much as I might like, I am enjoying keeping our Twitter feed going. I find it a valuable resource to make little announcements about the program, or just to network with students, alumni, and others involved in the educational technology field. One concern I have is keeping the balance between “personal” banality and adding a bit of a personal touch so that others might enjoy reading it. I don’t want it to be just announcements, but I’m careful to try and keep it at least semi-interesting with some personal posts. I hope you will let me know if it ever becomes too close to one side or the other. I’m waiting for the application we receive where they say they first heard about the program on Twitter. That will be the day I know we’ve arrived.

Finally, we have created a MET Learning Community, which enables students and alumni to interact outside of their MET courses. Students were forming their own friendships with others in their classes, especially when they ended up taking multiple classes together. But we wanted to provide them a forum where they can do that more than just one-on-one, and it’s been pretty successful. We currently have 221 members, all students or alumni (it’s only open to those categories), and it seems fairly popular. Traffic ebbs and flows, of course, but one thing I’m really impressed with is the willingness to help others that our students have shown. One student mentioned that this happens naturally in each course as MET veterans and MET newbies end up taking the same course. This welcoming attitude has shown up in the Community as well, and I really love seeing it.

I’d love to hear any other suggestions you might have where the MET program’s presence might be a good thing. But keep in mind that I’m the main person doing all of this, and I do have to actually work too!