Social Media Workshop for Health Care Managers
Start here - Welcome
Welcome to the social media workshop.You've come to the right place. Once you have a chance to look around - you'll start to feel more comfortable in the onlineenvironment.
A few words about our time together. Our first week consists of a welcome unit (5 files) and an introduction (6 files). You do not have to read both units in one sitting. Some files should be scanned or browsed; others can be read more thoroughly as time permits. For each section in the workshop, I state whether you can scan the items presented and when you might consider reading the material more closely.
Most of the social media definitions, charts and tables should be scanned, then put away. Return to them for reference. However, try to explore the many weblinks I have embedded in the text. The literature reviews are meant to be read more closely. The principles in these documents will help you approach social media more strategically.
For those who answered the pre-workshop survey, and rated yourselves as having good working knowledge of social media, the first week will be a review of concepts. Bear with us as we all learn the basics. Keep in mind a commitment of 2-3 hours a week is needed (perhaps a little more) to keep up with reading and activities.
Instructor
I hope you will use my contact information without hesitation during the workshop when you need help. Although we want to accomplish as much as possible during our five weeks together, I am available until the end of 2011 to help you and anyone who needs my advice and support afterwards.
Dean Giustini, UBC adjunct teaching faculty, and UBC reference librarian
E-mail:
Phone: 604.875.4505
Twitter: @giustini
Blog: The Search Principle
GoogleTalk:
Virtual office
I use e-mail, Google Talk and Wimba for office hours.
My virtual office hours begin on October 17th and are scheduled from 6 to 9pm Pacific Standard Time on Mondays, and from 9 to noon PST on Saturdays. Stay tuned for information about how to join my office hours virtually using Wimba.
Questions?
Tip:If you have any questions about this workshop, or any of the modules and activities, please contact me through one of the following e-mail accounts: or . I aim to answer all e-mails within 24 hours.
Structure of the workshop:
Five (5) weeks / four (4) modules
This five (5) week asynchronous workshop consists of an introduction and four modules. Each module is designed to provide exposure to an important aspect of using social media. While this is a workshop on social media, our focus is not on tools but on strategies to implement tools. As we move through the modules, you'll notice an emphasis on management practices not learning tools. Each week consists of reading(s) and an overview of concepts. Various activities are planned to highlight concepts in each module.
Here are the modules:
- Week I Introduction (Getting started) - starts Monday October 17
- Week 2 Module I: Listen / learn (starts Monday Oct 24)
- Week 3 Module II: Engage / empower (starts Monday Oct 31)
- Week 4 Module III: Adopt / apply (starts Monday Nov 7)
- Week 5 Module IV: Strategize & lead (starts Monday Nov 14)
Week I begins with the Introduction module (starting Monday October 17th), which is meant to provide an orientation to Vista and an opportunity to meet other participants. The modules are organized from listen and learn to getting engaged. When we reach module three on Monday October 31st, we are into the second half of the workshop, so be ready to adopt new attitudes and skills in social media!
In Module IV, we think about ways to “strategize and lead” social media initiatives. The workshop ends on Sunday November 20th.
"Discussions" area
I encourage you to use the "Discussions" area to share your views of what we are reading (it can be viewed by clicking on "Discussions" in the khaki-green navigation bar above). If you need assistance with the Vista platform, click on the Help link at the top right or contact me. I may refer you on or can try to troubleshoot with you. If you have any questions you want to ask privately, you can use Vista's e-mail tool labelled "MAIL" at the top of each page or use one of my e-mail addresses listed in the welcome message.
Digital Resource Library for this Workshop
To prepare for this workshop, I performed literature reviews and website scans. All of these "extra" resources are meant to be browsed at your leisure. The files in the Digital Resource Library - Free Content on Social Media can be downloaded and include Canadian content. If you know about files that would support the DRL, let me know.
An introduction to learning online
In all likelihood, this will not be the first online workshop you've taken but it may be the first using Vista. In any case, it's important to consider the difference between face-to-face learning (in classrooms) and online learning, and to be aware of those differences.
The phrase online learning (or e-learning) refers to any course delivered using a content management system like Vista. If you look at the top left of this frame, you'll see the course is built in Vista. Online courses such as this are typically delivered using readings, discussions and class activities. Courses that meet in physical classrooms benefit from face-to-face interaction but an online group can create a learning experience to rival a 'bricks-and-mortar' classroom. The critical learning comes from shared ideas about course content, discussion and debate; other benefits come from working with others from different backgrounds.
Health care managers can learn a great deal by using social media effectively. Even though we are using a private space for our discussions, I encourage you to speak to others about using social media, its benefits and risks. Many conversations about this emerging field should take place offline within your field. For the workshop, I use HLWIKI Canada as an information source (I'm editor) so explore the many entries on social media there. If you don't already have one, consider opening a Facebook or Twitter account (not required for the workshop).
Incidentally, if you author a blog or use a cool social media tool already, please let me know about it.
Tip: You can always open a social media account under a pseudonym to try out the tool for a week or two.
Your learning curve / your time
There is a steep learning curve in using new information technologies. Many of you may already be using social media in your private lives and may therefore find it easier to move towards using social media in your professional lives. As a group, we bring considerable knowledge (and views) to the workshop. I encourage you to share what you know.
The social media workshop aims to expose you to a breadth of issues and tools used in modern health organizations. Use the course as an opportunity to build a collegial network for during and after the course. To develop basic knowledge and skill in using social media, you should devote a few hours each week, every week during the workshop.
Time management
Each week (or module) in the workshop consists of reading and an activity. I provide suggestions about what to read to help you manage your time. However, I encourage you to share what you read about social media. Share your thoughts (positive/negative) by posting in the discussions area.
A further suggestion about your time. Try to budget an hour or so every second day for your Vista exploration. Most files can be printed and read offline. If you have any concerns, my commitment is to guide you as needed and provide assistance within 24 hours. Usually, I respond within a few hours.
If you plan to use Twitter, I may even respond within 10 minutes~!
Tip:With a proliferation of social media tools, it's easy to get pulled into a state of endless exploration and experimentation in social media courses.Your time is something you need to manage closely.
More on directing your learning
My hope is that we can share our collective experiences of using social media. The literature deals with wide-ranging issues such as branding, risk management and public relations - and each module refers to one or two of these complex issues. I have created several easy-to-digest overviews and tables to help you get a handle on issues. My goal is to get you focussed on what you need to know during the time frame we have together.
It's important to speak to other health professionals who use social media. Ask your colleagues why they use (or don't use) social media. This course should help you develop a critical stance on issues - between advocacy and informed criticism. The best way to begin this type of learning is to start with definitions and facts.
Later, it will be useful to consider why some health professionals use social media, and some don't. What are your own goals in using these tools? Until now, have you ever used social media? There are few substitutes for learning than engaging with others who are also trying to make sense of the issues.
Confidentiality, trust & respect online
Keep in mind that all interactions you have with me are confidential. If you want to share information about the workshop outside of Vista, please ensure that you take out any identifiable names, mentions of workshop participants or their organizations.
The nature of asynchronous online learning is such that high trust levels are needed for meaningful interaction. Trust is essential in building online communities. In the discussions area, be sure to share your ideas; this area is literally our "classroom" and our exchanges there are vital in meeting our objectives. However, consider what is and is not appropriate for sharing, and how best to provide encouragement to your fellow participants. The same rules of communication on e-mail pertain to online learning (and using social media).
I look forward to getting to know you. I appreciate that you have decided to learn about social media and will do everything I can to ensure your success.