Growing Communities Through Social Media Tools

Last week I attended many interesting sessions at the eLearning Summit held at MCTC.  At every library or learning-related conference I attend I always tend to gravitate to sessions on social media.  In this case I attended a session presented by Bob Bertsch, Web Technology Specialist with NDSU Extenstion, titled, "Building Community with Social Media."  The session began with a sort of over-arching concept that learning networks or learning communities are the future of adult and for that matter, all education.  While there are risks of using social media professionally, like privacy and ethical issues, the benfits outweigh those risks.  With social media you get instant communication, visibility, the chance to interact with others, and help getting messages and information out there.  If you're not using social media you risk looking out of touch, disconnected, dated, obsolete, and even ignorant. 

In this session Bob highlighted the fact that building community equals building relationships and that the real impact comes when you connect people with each other.  This way you can get your message out there faster and more effectively.  He stressed the idea that in order to effectively make an impact you have to find the spark or idea that connects and builds community.  To find the spark, define your goal or identify what you are really trying to accomplish.  In order to find that spark you need to identify your value proposition.  There has to be some value for members of the community in what you have to offer.  Since communities are emergent you might find impact some place different then you thought you would.  For Bob Bertsch's presentation please visit http://pubs.lib.umn.edu/minnesota-elearning-summit/2015/program/13/.