Archive for Oklahoma State University

Two Steps to Curb Facebook Trash Talk

Oklahoma State University is no stranger to issues which generate an enormous amount of conversation. They take place in homes across the US, in dorm rooms, and of course on their Facebook page.

On any average day the conversations are benign. Status updates about news around campus, students posting requests for information, the occasional spam, and the ubiquitous game day posts of “Go Pokes” and “ORANGE!!!” with the equally loud response, “POWER!!!.

Then there are days like the last few weeks. The status updates and the postings on their Facebook page come at a breakneck pace and are oftentimes hard to keep up with. The online conversations (debate) also takes on a new tone which often times moves its way toward the gutter. Managing the breakneck pace and what to do with those posts are a topic for another day. Today we are talking about how to curb trash talk and worse.

Oklahoma State University follows two simple procedures to curb trash talk and to keep the conversation positive and beneficial for those involved or might visit their Facebook page.

First, they are present. They are constantly monitoring, listening and responding to the people who post on the Facebook page, especially in times of high activity. Their presence isn’t exclusive to only crisis. During the snow and ice storm of 2010 they managed their Facebook page in real-time from the offices, keeping fans updated of a variety of related topics. Once everybody went home to batten down for the snowmageddon, they monitored from there. When power went out they took to their phones.

Second, when conversations turn for the worst they simply ask and remind people to take the high road. This is often times the most effective but overlooked option for dealing with upset individuals or persons who have simply taken a more guttural approach to expressing their emotions and opinions. Yesterday, after win over the University of Oklahoma and then the BCS announcement, comments on their Facebook page did just this. The main issue was an over presence of swear words being used to describe any number of different elements. The response was simple – post a message requesting people be mindful of their language (image above). With this one simple action the comments on the Facebook page took a more upbeat tone and many posted comments thanking the University for the gentle reminder. The use of swear words came to an almost screeching halt as people abided by the reminder. My favorite is the person who used the term “poo poo” – well played my friend.

Like a playground without a teacher present, an unmoderated Facebook page can quickly take a turn to chaos. A reminder to be civil is simply the teacher’s whistle reminding all  participants that you are present, monitoring and expect only the best of what they have to share.

Nothing earthshattering above, just a reminder the next time all heck breaks loose on your facebook page. Don’t get defensive, don’t challenge, simply ask for some civility. You may be surprised at what you get.

Oklahoma State University iPad Pilot Findings

The Oklahoma State University media release (below) was distributed this morning. Thought I would share it here as well.

Oklahoma State University Oklahoma State University has formally released its internal findings on an iPad pilot conducted during the Fall 2010 semester, showing that the device had a positive impact in an academic environment.

“We put this powerful and creative tool in the hands of faculty and students and the end result reached beyond enhancing the academic experience of our students,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “The report outlines a possible decrease to student and administrative expenses, increased productivity, and how the iPad crosses between academic and personal barriers.”

Bill Handy, visiting assistant professor in the School of Media and Strategic Communications, and Tracy Suter, Ph.D. associate professor of marketing in the Spears School of Business, led the initiative. Each class integrated the iPad differently but both focused on specific measurable outcomes including: expense impact, how the devise was used, viability as an E-Reader and overall enhancement to a student’s academic experience.

“Consensus is the integration of the iPad can enhance a student’s academic experience and have a positive impact for faculty as well,” said Handy. “We used the iPad in every aspect of our course. The most important consideration is the device must be truly integrated. Simply distributing the device without evaluation of how the course might be modified for its use limits the impact.”

Among the enhancements noticed by both professors was an increase to the pace of the course, reaching traditional benchmarks sometimes weeks in advance.

“The increased pace is likely attributed to the mobile functionality of the device which allowed students to work in any environment, the change to the classroom environment, and the ability of all students to have complete access to the same technology, creating an equal and level playing field,” said Suter.

Both professors recommend the university should consider the full deployment of iPads for all students. Deans and department heads were given instructions to evaluate how best to use this and any technology device to enhance their student’s involvement.

Executive Summary

Oklahoma State University/Apple iPad Pilot Program

During the Fall 2010 semester, five sections of two courses across two colleges and two campuses participated in the Apple iPad Pilot Program. Professor Bill Handy, School of Media and Strategic Communications, and Professor Tracy Suter, Ph.D., Spears School of Business led the project. In addition, Professor Bobbi Kay Hooper, Ph.D., School of Media and Strategic Communications, included the pilot in a larger pedagogical study. Below is an overview of the key outcomes.

Did the iPad increase or decrease expenses? While difficult to fully quantify, there is evidence to suggest a decrease in student expenses with maximum integration. Electronic versions of student textbooks were less expensive than traditional textbooks. If a student were to purchase e-books, the possible savings could cover the iPad hardware costs in two semesters. The university could also benefit from decreased paper and printing costs while the use of “cloud” computing could reduce future network storage needs.

How was the iPad used among students and faculty? iPad use had professional and personal benefits. Focusing on professional benefits, students were able to use the iPad in ways that outflanked a traditional computer, be it laptop or desktop. The iPad also was used as a substitute for paper and pen. Faculty were able to explore and recommend course-specific apps (i.e., software) to enhance the learning environment. Given the size and scope of Apple’s App Store, there were thousands of educational software possibilities plus having a built-in Web browser made the Internet more readily available.

Was the integration of an E-Reader an enhancement or detraction to the academic experience? The responses were mixed. On the one hand, students liked using the iPad to house their textbooks and suggested it promoted more reading. On the other hand, reactions from the beginning-of-the-semester expectations of planned use to the end-of-the-semester actual use saw e-book reading exhibiting the greatest change, a substantial decrease. Students thought they would use the iPad as an e-reader but did not do so as much as initially planned.

Was the integration of the iPad an enhancement to the academic experience? Self-report responses by pilot students indicated that 75 percent agreed or strongly agree with the statement, “I think the iPad enhanced the learning experience of this course.” Upon more detailed review, that number jumps to 92.8 percent among students who owned a Mac and falls to 70.4 percent among students who owned a PC. Survey results also showed only 3 percent of students in one course would opt out of the iPad course for an identical course which didn’t include the iPad. From a faculty perspective, the greatest benefit was having uniform hardware and software available across the class. Said differently, faculty knew all students had access to the same learning tools. This was critical when planning assignments and class activities.

In sum, the iPad pilot was a very valuable program for OSU to undertake. The instructional mission of the university is important and continuing to investigate means to enhance the instructional mission positively serves many university constituents. Because of the overall improvements to the academic experience of both faculty and students it is our recommendation the university should consider the full deployment of iPads for all students.

Should schools ban teachers and students from being friends?


Recent announcement by Virginia’s Department of Education was recently covered by Read Write Webhas generated just a little bit of conversation and rightfully so. It’s simply a policy created by an educational institution, one which I am sure is meant to protect the students as much as it is to protect the teachers. Read More→

Oklahoma State University to launch Apple iPad student pilot initiative

Oklahoma State University president Burns Hargis announced this morning the University will pilot an Apple iPad initiative during the Fall 2010 semester with select courses in the School of Media and Strategic Communications and the Spears School of Business at both the Stillwater and Tulsa campuses.

“This pilot initiative will provide valuable insight into the research benefits of the Apple iPad in the classroom,” said Hargis.  “The iPad has had an amazing impact since it was introduced last April and we are excited to be able to put this powerful and creative tool in the hands of students and faculty and see what happens.”

The Pilot will be led by myself and Tracy Suter, associate professor of marketing in the Spears School of Business.   Each of us will integrate the iPad differently but will focus on specific measurable outcomes.

The iPad pilot will be launched this fall with approximately 125 students in five different courses and will be focused on fields of study where we believe we can best determine the higher education value of the iPad.  We will evaluate the academic enhancement to the courses, how the iPad and its specific apps and web-based tools can be integrated in this capacity, and perhaps most importantly, how the integration of these mobile tools can expand the tactical abilities of students as they enter the workforce.

The iPad and other mobile tools are already integrated into daily business use.  In both schools, the iPad will be used for academic purposes and to explore innovative uses and tactical uses specific to each school’s industry needs.

Professor Suter offers this perspectives, “In addition to mobility, the iPad will allow us to work in real-time. For example, data collection and analysis in a research context can be a multi-day to multi-week process.  By using the iPad, we can replace paper-and-pencil research with the immediate process of data collection, review and summary over a Web interface.

I certainly have ideas of how I would like to use an iPad. But collectively we will discover new uses a single individual might not have conceived independently.  Putting the newest technology in the hands of students allows them to stretch the limits of how it can be used.”

Cost savings for students will also be evaluated.  In one case, students using the iPad in a single course will save more than $100 on a single textbook, which can be downloaded in an ePub format.

OSU is leading the way in the integration of technology in the classroom. It is already using a variety of tools such as iTunesU and YouTube, along with other collaborative tools. OSU is also exploring the development of mobile applications to integrate current publications into an online and app platform, offering expense savings and enhanced distribution.

Members of the media interested in more information can contact me or Carrie Hulsey-Greene | 405.744.9081 | Carrie.hulsey_greene@okstate.edu

I would be remiss if I didn’t add, “Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant system that cuts across disciplines to better prepare students for a new world. Oklahoma’s only university with a statewide presence, OSU improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality teaching, research and outreach. OSU has more than 32,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 19,000 on its Stillwater campus, with students from all 50 states and about 110 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 200,000 students who have made a lasting impact on Oklahoma and the world.” That and GO POKES!!!

CREATE – INNOVATE – EDUCATE – GO STATE!

Stay tunes, more to come…