2015, GOALS
#GFT
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#MWTP
Today is my favorite holiday, mainly because it centers around a time for thanks. On today, I had the pleasure of having an amazing breakfast with my immediate family. It was amazing because both of my children were assigned a particular dish that they were preparing for our breakfast. The sight of the kids moving around the kitchen with their game faces on was beautiful to say the least.
Then, we concluded the evening with our extended family and had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. There were so many laughs, photos and memories made that will last for a lifetime. As I spoke with friends and family members during this week, I have learned that there are three top items that individuals are thankful for: #1 Family #2 Friends #3 Employment As this night concluded, my family and I went through our Thanksgiving lists that we have made over the past few years. It warms my heart to continue traditions of thanks, remembering the excerpt from the bible that says, "in all things give thanks."Wishing everyone that reads this a great season of thanks and a night of reading 21 Quotes of Thanksgiving as mentioned in @Forbes. The SoTL Poster Presentation was totally amazing to greet and speak with colleagues and friends. During that time I was provided the platform to discuss interest in learners attitudes and perspectives on the use of social media in social work college courses. This has been a topic of interest for quite sometime. Therefore, being invited to stand in the Center for Instructional Innovation to discuss research findings absolutely warmed my heart. I don't think that is a word used often in academia, but it works for me. On this evening, there were various comments and questions on this topic that confirmed the enhancement of education through the use of social media. Stay tuned readers, I intend to shower you with objective data that supports the statement above. On this evening, I had the opportunity to take part in the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Cohort I poster presentation. During the two hour drive to Stephenville, TX I had the opportunity to reflect on my journey down the SoTL Cohort path. When, I attended the first session I was clueless about the empowerment that would be provided from the Faculty Fellows. During each session it appeared that I became more grounded in the knowledge that was provided. During our sessions individual guidance was provided to answer questions that were somewhat simple but troubling. By the end of the spring semester I was standing tall and feeling secure with the data collection process. Finally, on the day of the presentation I felt like Clark Kent after he ran out of the phone booth with the "S" on his chest. Not only was I passionate about my topic, but I was a true expert on my research findings and could not wait to share the data with others. Some may wonder, what is Dr. Jones saying? I am saying that mentoring works in higher education: In particular, myself and various colleagues were mentored through scholarly inquiry on improving teaching and learning methods. This consisted of weeks and months with accountability partners that were passionate about colleague-success. Overall, mentorship is necessary in various facets and I am thankful that I was on the receiving end through SoTL Cohort I. Although, there are still a few individuals that refuse to use social media it is landing itself in many different locations. This evening I found myself exploring news pertaining to Higher Education. Then, I stumbled on an article in the DIVERSE issues in Higher Education magazine. This article discussed a college that has altered their admission process in a very different way.
First, the college is small and a liberal arts college. Currently, our social work program is located within the College of Liberal Arts. This college is comprised of individuals that are unafraid to think outside of the box. This is why I was interested in highlighting this topic. Goucher College has decided to refrain from the traditional manner to apply for Higher Education. Therefore, they have created an Out of the box step". This step consists of learners apply to their school through video submissions. This college landed on this decision after conducting a several focus groups and listening to the learner voices. Basically, they took into account the stress and anxiety that is experienced while applying to college. There are several individuals that are sending criticism towards Goucher College, I admire their willingness to listen to the voices of learners. Sometimes trying new strategies will override tradition. It is very interesting to see how social media has shown up in the admissions department of a college. This is very exciting, like anything it will have pro's and con's. But, I am looking forward to following this college and learning about the pro's of their new admissions process. A few of my Social Work colleagues: Jimmy Young (@Jimmysw) and I (@laurelhitchcock) have designed a social media assignment for social work students that involve students watching a documentary and then participating in a live Twitter chat. The assignment is meant involves students watching the documentary Inequality for All, and then participating in a live Twitter chat on October 28th at 9pm Eastern Standard Time. They have partnered with the wonderful folks that conduct the #MacroSW chat for this special event and will be using their hashtag #MacroSW to facilitate the live chat.
They are interested in piloting this assignment in classrooms across the country and hope that other social work or human service educators might participate by including the assignment in class and providing feedback. Therefore, I have chosen to introduce this assignment to a few of my undergraduate learners. The assignment includes some critical thinking and reflection components that include brief writing pieces and peer- and self-assessment forms. The purpose of this assignment is to: 1) help students learn about policies and societal contexts that influence income inequality, and 2) give students the opportunity to collaborate and communicate with other students and professionals using technology. The assignment consists of three parts: 1. Students will watch the documentary Inequality for All on their own or in class, and then write a brief reaction to the movie including if they agreed with the film maker’s position (why or why not?) and how the movie informed their understanding of poverty in the U.S. (500 –700 words). 2. Students then participate in a one-hour Live Twitter Chat on October 28th at 8 PM Central Standard Time. Questions will be based around the film as well as the overarching topic of Inequality. Students will need a free Twitter account, and will demonstrate participation during the chat by: a) posting responses to at least three of the discussion questions; b) responding to at least three other chat participants; and c) include a hyperlink in at least two posts. If you or your students are new to Twitter, you can use the following guide to help get you started (Getting Started with Twitter) or watch this video on how to participate in a live Twitter chat (Link). 3. After the live chat, students will write a self-reflection about the experience of participating in the live twitter chat that includes a brief summary of the chat, lessons learned from the chat and how the experience could inform future social work practice (300-500 words). The rubric is based upon the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards from Council on Social Work Education. Social media has been around since 1969. Facebook was started at Harvard University in 2004, Twitter launched in 2006, Google Plus launched in 2011 & Instagram in 2013. Currently, the use of social media has increased and continues to be utilized throughout various platforms. Although, social media has been utilized universally, it took a while for it to arrive within the field of social work. Social work is a profession that is constantly identifying new methods to educate practitioners and assist vulnerable populations from a holistic perspective. Since 2012 the use of social media increased by social work practitioners and currently there is a wide spread of use within college courses.
However, there is a lack of research on the use of social media within social work college course. The time is now to learn whether learners are receptive to social media within college courses. Currently, I can speak from an instructors perspective and that looks like providing learners with knowledge from a global perspective. This prompts learning from a broader view and adds value to the social work practice from student learners. Written By, Dr. Nathalie P. Jones Tonight I participated in a "Live Chat" on a topic surrounding the events that took place in Ferguson, MO. One of the questions was, what steps can be taken today to assist this community. Someone mentioned the importance of the "Live Chat" hosted by #MacroSW and I agree.
Although, some are uninterested in the use of social media. The live chat on this topic was effective in the manner that it has provided awareness to a very sensitive topic. I have noticed that most individuals are uncomfortable discussing topics such as inequality, race & privileged. Although, these topics are uncomfortable to some, there is a need to discuss them and to establish solutions. By hosting a chat through social media allows the opportunity to discuss possible solutions with many. This prompts great dialogue that will get the individuals that have been muzzled talking. Some are more comfortable speaking with their fingers than with their mouths. Therefore, this platforms empowers them to discuss solutions for a population that has been effected in a negative manner by systems that are expected to protect. Therefore, social workers have been called and I am sure collectively we can make a difference. @acosaorg has made a thought provoking statement that has called all social workers in their communities to action. Written By, Dr. Jones Twenty-first century blogging provides a platform to administer objective and small subjective information pertaining to social issues, social policies & social change. This blog will be utilized to provide information pertaining to the field that I am passionate about.
21st Century Blogging tips: #1: Obtain and share information that is current & relevant. #2: Utilize social media to share & discuss important facts. #3: Network with individuals that obtain the same interest with exciting enhancements. #4: Research common 21st century topics to discuss. Written By, Dr. Jones |
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March 2020
AuthorDr. Nathalie P. Jones is a christian, mother, wife, educator and mentor that enjoys social media, technology and empowering women through mentoring and professional development. Categories |