Emerging technologies, such as social media, are useful tools in the teaching of new techniques, the retrieval of rapidly changing information and the preparation of a globally aware society. This presentation will demonstrate the process of creating and managing a site- oriented research project for a global social media course. Examples drawn from the course will illustrate the essential components of the assignment.

1. Dr. David McCoy
Ashland University

2. The Global Impact of Social Media
 2nd year course Syllabus
 University Core
 Group and Individual Research projects
 Global focus Readings
 Social Media focus
 Investigation of cultural, economic, political,
educational, technological and historical aspects

3. Social Media Global Research Sites
 Research components
 Discovery elements
 Writing experience
 Multi-media mastery
 Accessibility to information
 Thailand

4. Group Research Project
 Small groups (3-4 people)
 Create a social media site with the intent to study and
to communicate on a global level.
 Blog/Web site guidelines
 Use text, images, video, links, Skype, interviews
 Describe your research findings in the narrative.
 Build this site around a general topic (Blogging and
the Fifth Estate/Twitter and Europe/Web 2.0 and
China/International Interactive Videogaming)
 Presentations on Tuesday February 28

5. Group Research Project
 Site=Ease of access
 Topic=General view/Global region or country
 Research Depth=Varied sources (6 to 10)
 Narrative=Descriptive aspects/textual content
 Narrative Structure=Can be designed as a series of posts
(hopefully, comments will occur!)
 Links=Relational to subject (3+)
 Images/Video=Enhancement of subject (5+)
 Presentation=In-class/Full Group/20-25 minutes
 Paper= 6 to 8 pages with citations (collaborative)
 Evaluation Rubric

6. Human Trafficking Blog

7. France Italy Germany site

9. Individual Research Project
Single Topic
One Country
Social Media Use

10. Single Subject Research
 Individual project
 Single topic

11. Course Readings/Projects

12. Summary
 Global awareness is critical to 21st century learning.
 Social media provide discovery learning and informed
research opportunities.
 Social media project sites enhance the use of multi-media
as explanatory forms.
 Social media project sites are excellent venues for open
participation and collaborative projects.
 Future Directions---Final Project Single Site/Group
effort/eJournal approach (involve outside faculty)
 Future Directions---Twitter/Storify use/create relational
and original video interviews and/or documentary pieces.