How connected are you online? Julie Adams, Information Services

Session Outline Benefits of building connections Visitors and Residents model: quick review Taking it further: Mapping your/organisational practice Moving to better connections – how digital U can help

Why be more connected? There many web-based and social media tools available which can be used for professional development, for building a professional profile, promoting your work, developing your personal learning network, or simple communicating information to others. Some are happy to be “consumers of content” reading blogs, following a conference stream or individuals on Twitter; others may be extensive ”broadcasters“ writing blogs, posting on Twitter, creating Pinterest boards, adding photos to Flickr, videos to YouTube and more. However the most value is gained when we move from these one-way communication methods to a more open and engaged dialogue with others. This switch can have benefits for individuals, teams and institutions Social networks allow us to manage more connections than we’re capable of maintaining offline, which has a huge upside in terms of networking, marketing, and the exchange of ideas on a global scale digital is a convergence of many technologies and social changes - social media, mobile and the web. Together these have created a new kind of user – the connected consumer  Digital transformation is about meeting the needs of the new digital consumer. How do those consumers interact with an organisation both online and in real life?

Visitor and resident Visitor Resident Mode used depends on context and motivation Motivation to engage more important than technical skill or age Ownership of technology does not necessarily = high levels of digital capability A continuum of modes of engagement based on motivation to engage not technical skill or age Not two ‘types’ of people - a range of modes based on context and motivation Does not assume that ownership of technology = high levels of digital capability http://daveowhite.com/vandr/

Visitors The web as a series of ‘tools’ Leaves no social trace Instrumental, defined goals Examples include: Searching for and reading info Watching videos Shopping ‘Lurking’ in Resident spaces Examples include: Searching for information Reading information Watching videos Shopping ‘Lurking’ in Resident spaces

Residents The web as a series of ‘places’ Leaves social trace Go online to engage with others Requires a digital identity Examples include: Active in social media Joining in discussions Commenting

New model: institutional view of how connected we are Taking it a bit further…. New model looks at an institutional view of how engaged/connected they are (but through eyes of various individuals) Consider institutional practice: Do you broadcast, or fully engage? What is the practice of individuals within the organisation? How can you move to become more open and more engaged with Work with colleagues to combine perspectives into a institution map formulate ways to ‘improve’ their organisational map by influencing key people/groups

Broadcast v Conversation

Open content (Broadcast) – This is information or content which is posted openly online with little or no expectation of discourse or engagement with those using the content. This can be thought of as a predominantly Visitor mode. Organisation-only content/engagement – This is essentially any information or activity in either mode which is only available if you have an institutional login. For example, the institutional VLE can be used in either mode but is almost always behind an institutional login. Open Engagement – This is where activity is based around the expectation of discourse or feedback from others. For example, a ‘conversational’ Twitter feed, or a blog with the comments activated. Discourse could be with a specific individual representing the institution in some form or via a ‘neutral’ institutional voice such as ‘the library’ or ‘academic support’.

Highest level of external engagement-interaction Public content delivered by us, consumed by others Public conversations Highest level of external engagement-interaction Read only Open content (Broadcast) – This is information or content which is posted openly online with little or no expectation of discourse or engagement with those using the content. This can be thought of as a predominantly Visitor mode. Organisation-only content/engagement – This is essentially any information or activity in either mode which is only available if you have an institutional login. For example, the institutional VLE can be used in either mode but is almost always behind an institutional login. Open Engagement – This is where activity is based around the expectation of discourse or feedback from others. For example, a ‘conversational’ Twitter feed, or a blog with the comments activated. Discourse could be with a specific individual representing the institution in some form or via a ‘neutral’ institutional voice such as ‘the library’ or ‘academic support’. Most “closed”

Indiv blogs Institutional Email Personal Twitter Iris blogs Iris (Intranet) Iris blogs Collaborate SfB Facebook (dept) VLE Dept Twitter Uni website LibAnswers/FAQs Project blogs Org blogs Areas to consider for your maps: The main University web pages Intranet/VLE/portal Blogs: Uni-wide, research, projects, personal Other departments online presence - your perception High profile activities across the institution High profile individuals Social media – groups and/or individuals Staff personal/professional sites PROCESS Create your map Colleagues create their maps Discuss what individuals feel is important/relevant to them Create a department/service map Will help model department/service’s digital identity Project blogs Media Library

Activity (short!!) Add one thing to your map where you think you/your team currently mainly broadcast Consider how this could be changed to move closer to the engaged mode How do we represent ourselves online? What is our Individual presence on Social Media, what about team or organisation? Have conversations - Broadcasting is not the same as engaging Internal and external conversations How we do manage communication within teams/institution/student/staff/potential students/businesses etc., etc. What is our online brand? (personally and organisationally)

Building Better Connections HOW TO CHANGE THINGS Have conversations - Broadcasting is not the same as engaging Internal and external conversations How we do manage communication within teams/institution/student/staff/potential students/businesses etc., etc. What is our online brand? (personally and organisationally) Are there areas easily identified to move to a more open and/or engaged mode? What would be the priority areas? Are there differences in what you think and what colleagues think? What support/training do you or your staff need to move to engaged side of the continuum?

So how do I know what we need to be digitally capable … …and then get the training and development identified? What does it mean to be digitally capable? What capabilities are needed for staff to be able to become more engaged? What support/training do you or your staff need to move to engaged side of the continuum?

Staffordshire University’s Digital Capability Values: To be a digitally capable employee you must be a digitally capable: Basic ICT proficiency

Staffordshire University’s Digital Capability Values: Confidently use technology to participate, facilitate and initiate working relationships and networks Communicate effectively in a variety of digital media and forums Communicator, Collaborator & Participator Locate, evaluate, organise and share digital information Collate, manage, access and use digital data Handle and manage data securely Information & Data Handler Design or create new digital artefacts or materials Develop new practices with digital technology in organisational setting Creator & Innovator Identify and utilise digital learning opportunities Use digital tools and resources to participate in learning Learner & Self Developer Develop and project a positive digital identity and reputation Look after personal health, safety and relationships in digital settings Ambassador

Staffordshire University’s Digital Capability Values: Confidently use technology to participate, facilitate and initiate working relationships and networks Communicate effectively in a variety of digital media and forums Communicator, Collaborator & Participator Locate, evaluate, organise and share digital information Collate, manage, access and use digital data Handle and manage data securely Information & Data Handler Design or create new digital artefacts or materials Develop new practices with digital technology in organisational setting Creator & Innovator Identify and utilise digital learning opportunities Use digital tools and resources to participate in learning Learner & Self Developer Develop and project a positive digital identity and reputation Look after personal health, safety and relationships in digital settings Ambassador

The digital U Community Identify needs Build content Share resources and ideas If interested, please get in touch: digitalu@staffs.ac.uk