How Professors Are Using Social Media

Wondering if professors are as connected as their students? The ‘connected gap’ between the two has shrunk over the past couple years and it’s now easy to see that more professors are plugged in and harnessing the power of technology to boost their classrooms.

As you can see in the below infographic, the vast majority of professors use social media (84%) and even more (88%) use on-line video in classrooms. The statistics go on and on but these are two noteworthy ones I thought you’d find interesting.

Ever wonder what social media sites professors use the most? Or perhaps why they use a particular site? It’s all laid out in this new infographic. Enjoy

 

Source: http://www.bestcollegesonline.com

What has been your experience of social media whilst at college or university?

 

Category: Education, Social Media | 1 Comment »

Using Sport to Inspire Careers in Science and Technology

Reading this press release from IBM (full article) I do enjoy being part of an inspiring company.

IBM Hursley hosted one hundred Year eight girls, from ten different schools around Hampshire and the surrounding counties, for a two day camp known as think.IT. The aim of the camp, which was repeated twice over the week, is to encourage girls to continue studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and eventually consider careers within the IT industry.

Split into teams so that no two girls from the same school worked together, the girls were tasked with designing and marketing a brand new product, this year in the field of Technology in Sport, before presenting their idea to a team of judges in the form of IBM executives and  Master Inventors.

The camps began with a brainstorming session during which the girls explored ideas and selected one to take to market. The girls were then taught the basics of marketing and the importance of branding and applied this knowledge to their product by developing a business plan and creating a brand logo, slogan and designing a web site. Team building exercises and mentoring on presentation skills helped them prepare for their final presentation to the judges.

Local MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes, who returned again this year to watch the girls commented: “I was very impressed with the inspirational speakers and the enthusiasm shown for IT during my visit. A thoroughly enjoyable morning.”

The two winning ideas were:
–    Training Buddy. “Working out how to work out” – A smartphone application designed to offer injury prevention, treatment and nutrition advice to athletes.
–    Leaf. “The personal best trainer” – A silicone ear piece that moulds to the ear of the user, and allows an athlete to communicate wirelessly with their coach whilst training.

The runners up were:
–    Morfs – An innovative sports shoe that uses interchangeable soles, so that the same pair of shoes can be used for a variety of sports.
–    My Grip – A multi-functional grip constructed from a combination of memory foam and a non-slip rubber surface, that moulds to the shape of an athlete’s hands.

I think these are fantastic ideas they came up with, what do you think?

Category: Education, IBM, Technology | No Comments »