Understanding and Using Social Media on College Campuses: A Practical Guide for Higher Education Professionals

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The purpose of this book is to help higher education professionals approach social media initiatives strategically. It presents a framework for systematically thinking about the Internet Technology Environments (ITE) in which faculty, staff, and administrators operate. By foregoing a one-size-fits-all approach to social media use on campuses for one that is based upon structured inquiry, individuals can discern their unique campus environment and prepare for the challenges and opportunities they are likely to encounter. In addition to explaining why social media use on college campuses is glaringly inconsistent, the book highlights the approaches faculty and staff might take when designing and implementing social media initiatives, given the type of environment in which they work. It also introduces strategies these actors and administrators can utilize to strengthen their ITEs, ultimately facilitating the successful incorporation of social media technology into campus communications.

Reviews

Every academic department and university now needs strategies and policies for the use of social media. This book provides a clear guide to the issues as well as practical guidelines for determining appropriate actions and policies, based on the authors' own experience and their deep understanding of university culture. This is a 'must read' for every academic. -- Tony Bates, Distinguished Visiting Professor, Ryerson University, Toronto ON
Social media has become part of the fabric of most people's lives in the United States. It's as ubiquitous and common as is television, music, and use of the telephone. In Understanding and Using Social Media on College Campuses, Dr. Waite and Dr. Wheeler discuss the need for including social media as a major component of institutional and departmental communication and for instructional practices in higher education learning environments. They then describe a framework and model for examining and improving on social media use as a means for communication and as an educational tool that has value for policy makers, administrators, and faculty in higher education institutions. Especially impressive is their discussion of developing a Social Media Ethos, where social media initiatives are encouraged, supported, and rewarded. For any higher education personnel who has an interest in social media use within their institutions, this practical guide is a must read. -- Jackie Gerstein, Online Faculty for Boise State, American InterContinental, and Western Governors' Universities

Author Bio

Brandon Waite is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Ball State University where his teaching, research, and service activities focus the use of online technologies for campaigning and organizational communication. He regularly gives presentations about social media to nonprofit organizations and candidates for office on behalf of the Bowen Center for Public Affairs. Darren Wheeler is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Ball State University where his teaching and research interests include judicial politics, terrorism and homeland security, and social media. He has been teaching online classes at colleges and universities for over ten years.