Each student will be receiving individual feedback on this formative assignment. Here are some overall comments that apply to the whole class to help with the final report.

• Be specific about the rationale behind using a particular social media channel. Consider who you are trying to reach and which channels are most appropriate for those communities.
• Be prepared to demonstrate specific improvements that you have made from now to the end of the course. We need to be able to see artifacts of before (screenshots) and after (selective screenshots and links). We will grade you on your progress against your improvement plan and not just because you have a plan.
• Over and above creating content and updating and connecting profiles, you should be deliberate about cultivating the professional persona that supports how you desire to be seen by others. This is one of the challenging aspects of developing your professional profile. Be clear about who you want to be and how your social media activities reflect this persona.  At this stage in your career, that profile will be in flux so this is the time to make progress in this direction.
• Consider how you can measure your progress by looking at baseline analytics now and comparing them with end of term analytics. This may include figures such as Twitter followers but also consider any changes in the make-up of those followers.
• There were concerns about the personal and professional differences in content, audience and implications for reputation and effectiveness. This is a legitimate conundrum that everyone working in the social media and communication space has to navigate. Everyone will have a different level of comfort in mixing the personal and professional. Some  create second accounts in some platforms, others use selective access groups, and others allow their personality to show through from personal activities and interest to add depth and character in their professional life. There are no absolute rights and wrongs here – these are individual decisions. You should be thoughtful and deliberate in your choices, and aware of the pros and cons of being too restrictive or too open.

The student summaries for the various platform presentations are available as PDFs:

• Flickr – Bomi and Nicole
• Instagram – Ellen and Olivia
• YouTube – Jessica and Juanzi
• Vine – Lien and Roy
• Google+ – Alice and Emi
• Twitter – Laura and Valentina
• Storify – Hala and Tonya
• Reddit – Jeri and Shanel
• RebelMouse – Ian and Rumnique

Details of assignment: 10%

Students are to develop a professional portfolio that both demonstrates their social media capabilities and uses selected social media channels.  Think of this as an ePortfolio that showcases your work and abilities to potential employers. Consider how you appear electronically to potential employers, relative to everyone else seeking the same coveted spot.

The portfolio documents and highlights the best of who you are and what you have done. It also points to your potential. It is a collection of digital artefacts articulating experiences, achievements and learning.  Continue reading Assignment: Social media portfolio →

Students will work in groups, bringing together Sauder and Journalism students, on a social media project for a client. This collaborative project is intended to be a practical, hands-on exploration and implementation of what we’ve covered throughout the course.

We have lined up media partners from a variety of organisations with diverse interests.

Project breakdown:

1. Assessment of needs and proposal (including an assessment of suitable HS Pro plugins) – 10%. Due Jan 28 9.30 a.m.
2. Outline and scope of work (including evidence of significant research) – 10%. Due Feb 25, 9.30 a.m.
3. Social media strategic plan (including appendix with breakdown of who did what) – 25%. Due March 25, 9.30 a.m.
4. In-class presentation – 10%. Due April 1 from 9.30 a.m. Continue reading Assignment: Applied client project →

Students will work in groups, bringing together Sauder and Journalism students, on a social media project for a client. This collaborative project is intended to be a practical, hands-on exploration and implementation of what we’ve covered throughout the course.

Please submit your top three choices on this shared Google Doc, together with one line on why you would be good for the media partner. Paul and I will try to accommodate your requests but you may not all get your first choice.

Media partners:

On the Coast, CBC Vancouver
On the Coast is CBC Vancouver’s drivetime radio show, hosted by Stephen Quinn. It is producing Gay and Grey, a series on gay seniors in Vancouver’s West End to run over the first few months of 2014, culminating in a public forum on the issue.

Continue reading Media partners for client project →