Tag Archives: #InformationProfessionals

INF506 – OLJ Task 18: Thoughts For The Future

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What is the potential for the future of an organisation you are familiar with?

Globally, the total number of social media users is estimated to grow to 3.29 billion users in 2022, which will be 42.3% of the world’s population (eMarketer 2018). With the understanding that social media is always shifting and changing. ‘Social media as we know it today is different than even a year ago (let alone a decade ago), and social media a year from now will likely be different than now’ (Appel et. Al 2020)

With such a transient and ever changing digital environment it is now evident that our parents and students ‘consumers’  live in a world in which social media intersects with most aspects of their lives … in domains such as travel (e.g., TripAdvisor), work (e.g., LinkedIn), food (e.g., Yelp), music (e.g., Spotify), and more.

Schools, therefore, can now look towards implementing and actively using social media platforms in order to compliment and market themselves. They can promote and share learning and school celebrations. As enrolments become a competitive space, schools can now rely on improvements made by traditional social media companies to reduce risk and improve functionality and services (e.g., Facebook’s marketplace, Chowdry 2018; WeChat’s payment system, Cheng 2017). These bidirectional trends suggest that the modern-day consumer is living in an increasingly “omni-social” world.

If an ‘omni-social’ existence is imminent, it makes sense for schools to target this space as it is where the people are.

What impact might the future have on us as information professionals?

As information professionals in the education sector, it is imperative that we ensure that we actively seek professional learning and keep up to date with the relevant possibilities of social media platforms. New and existing platforms are ever changing and improving and may directly impact our workloads and change what was once impossible into exciting possibilities, for example, Trusov et al. (2009) and Stephen and Galak (2012) demonstrated that certain kinds of social interactions can now happen on social media (e.g., “refer a friend” features and discussions in online communities) can positively affect important marketing outcomes such as new customer acquisition and sales. These changes can directly affect workload and outcomes.

Information professional educators need to actively teach students the skills to manage their social media presence and how to utilise this fluid platform to enhance different aspects of their lives. If this is not explicitly taught and addressed, we will leave the youth of today to embark into the digital world without the necessary tools to safely navigate these platforms. Evidence has shown that consumers are deleting their social media presence, where research has shown that nearly 40% of digitally connected individuals admitted to deleting at least one social media account due to fears of their personal data being mishandled (Edelman 2018). With effective teaching, risks can be minimised for each individual.

Adaptability and ability to collect data to inform

We can also work with improved technologies that assist information technology professionals to manage large groups and safely manage and use data collection. A recent review on the future of customer relationship management, Haenlein (2017) describes “invisible CRM” as future systems that will make customer engagement simple and accessible for customers. This will have a direct impact on time taken to communicate with clients, share marketing and gather analytical data. With reduced time spent of these areas, information professionals can direct focus to more creative outlets and efficient practices.

References

Appel, G., Grewal, L., Hadi, R., & Stephen, A. T. (2020). The future of social media in marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 48(1), 79-95. doi:10.1007/s11747-019-00695-1

Cheng, E. (2017). China is living the future of mobile pay right now. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/y8hm6vlo.

Chowdry, A., (2018). Facebook launches ads in marketplace. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/y8kf5g4t.

Edelman, K. (2018). Trust Barometer Brands Social Media. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/ycrm23gf.

Haenlein, M. (2017). How to date your clients in the 21st century: Challenges in managing customer relationships in today’s world. Business Horizons, 60, 577–586.

Melanie (2018) The Future of Social Media Marketing & AWG Social Media Program. AWG Sales Services. Retrieved from https://awgsalesservices.com/2018/09/20/the-future-of-social-media-marketing-awg-social-media-program/

Packham, A (2019). The Future of Social Media in Marketing The Drum Retrieved from https://www.thedrum.com/industryinsights/2019/05/14/the-future-social-media-marketing

Stephen, A. T., & Galak, J. (2012). The effects of traditional and social earned media on sales: A study of a microlending marketplace. Journal of Marketing Research, 49(5), 624–639.

The Digital Transformation https://youtu.be/6k_G_h41ZaQ

Trusov, M., Bucklin, R. E., & Pauwels, T. (2009). Effects of word-of mouth versus traditional marketing: Findings from an internet social networking site. Journal of Marketing, 73(5), 90–102.

INF506 – Social Networking for Professionals (AT1)

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What is social networking?

As an educator in Digital Technologies, I have found the definition of social networking a difficult term to define. ‘Social Networking’ has rapidly evolved since before the turn of the century and could include social sites, social networks, social media and crosses over into news and information dissemination.

As digital innovators continue to develop technology platforms, social digital networks have been created and formed with the intent to share, collaborate and gather information about any given topic or ‘feed’.

When researching ‘Social Networking’ I was able to determine a few different definitions.

Wikipedia’s definition of social networking –

A social networking service (also social networking site or social media) is an online platform which people use to build social networks or social relationship with other people who share similar personal or career interests, activities, backgrounds or real-life connections.

Margaret Rouse’s definition of social networking –

Social networking is the practice of expanding the number of one’s business and/or social contacts by making connections through individuals, often through social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+. –

Dictionary Definition of social networking –

The development of social and professional contacts; the sharing of information and services among people with a common interest.

Through web research I have formulated an initial definition of social networking that I hope can grow and develop throughout the duration of this subject.

Social networking incorporates a group of people with a common relationship such as families, groups or colleagues and provides a formal or informal collaborative communication space where discussion takes place from all participants.

Yoong Chin

The History of Social Media

So how can social networking help me professionally?

As a Digital Technologies Leading Teacher in a primary school setting, social networking can open up endless opportunities to market the school outside of our existing parent community as well as develop positive, collaborative relationships with all stakeholders within our current school community.

Personally social media is an everyday way of life for me, where I actively participate in a range of networking forums. My involvement in these social networks range from academic, professional and personal reasons and every platform has a different purpose and enhances my online experiences.

Some of these platforms that I actively use include:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Whatsapp
  • Wechat
  • Twitter
  • Snapchat
  • Pinterest
  • Linked In
  • Skype/Zoom
  • Microsoft Teams

 

What I hope to gain –

When electing to complete INF506 – Social Networking for Information Professionals as a subject in my Masters of Education degree, I expect to gain professional knowledge and develop a strong understanding of best practice for planning, developing and implementing a social network platform in a professional setting.

I would like to consolidate my confidence for implementing a social network platform in schools and develop a strong purpose or standing for why a social network platform would be valuable in my own school setting. This will be supported with readings, professional learning and collaboration with like minded professionals.

Finally, I aim to put into practice and establish a social network platform to trial at my workplace with the intent to enhance my school’s digital presence.

‘Social tools are not just about giving people a voice, but giving them a way to collaborate, contribute and connect’

John Stepper, MD Social Media and Collaboration at Deutsche Bank

References –

Bennett, S (2015, March 15). The History of Social Media. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/bi3DoRWngOs

Rose, Margaret (2020). In Techtarget Network – Social Networking. Retrieved from https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/social-networking

Social Networking (2020). In Dictionary.com. retrieved from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/social-networking?s=t

Social Networking Service (2020). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_networking_service

Welcome to Yoong’s Learning Blog!

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During my Designing Learning Spaces Journey, I will use this Blog Space to share my thoughts and learning. I am excited to share learning with you all and look forward to collaborating with others in this course over the session.

I am new to the Masters of Education – Knowledge Networks and Digital Innovation and this is my fist subject in the course! I am very excited to embark on this learning journey and have a hunger for furthering my own personal learning and knowledge. For the past 5 years (and in 2 schools) I have been a Leading Teacher in Melbourne Victoria in the area of Digital Technology which has a coaching component from years Foundation to 6. I also co-ordinate LOTE – Chinese for the School which is taught by both classroom teachers and by Chinese tutors located in China through video conferencing.