Creating Collegiate Media Opportunities in the Classroom Using Social Media Cindy Royal, Ph.D. Associate Professor Texas State University

Method Case Study Research Questions – Which specific aspects of the project conform to the Gibbons and Hopkins' taxonomy of experiential learning, and how do they manifest in the progression of experiential development? – What were student impressions of the student media environment (captured in post assessments)? – What are some observations of the implications to the learning process?

Project sxtxstate.com

Elements Preparation and Planning Previews of panels Interviews Blog Twitter Storify Pinterest Live Streams Multimedia

Gibbons and Hopkins (1980) Receptive mode – Simulated – sees motives, TV and slideshows – Spectator – Sees the real thing in normal setting Analytical mode – Exploratory – plays, experiments, explores and probes the setting – Analytical – Studies the setting and experiences it systematically Productive mode – Generative – creates, builds, organizes, theorizes or otherwise produces – Challenge – Sets difficult but desirable tasks to accomplish Development mode – Competence – Strives to become skillful in important activities – Mastery – Develops high standards of quality performance Psychosocial mode – Personal growth – Pursues excellence and maturity – Social growth - Becomes exemplary member of community

Student Impressions “It was truly an eye-opening experience. I was blown away by the ideas I heard and the people I met. Actually, one of the panels inspired me to change my thesis idea. I got to interview my favorite author and was interviewed by USA Today. It was pretty neat to see our program mentioned on the USA Today web site! We also had the project mentioned on TV in San Antonio. It was just so exciting to be part of it.”

Student Impressions “It was so inspiring to be surrounded by so many people that had innovative ideas about our profession. Not to mention, it was a great opportunity to network and learn how to write, shoot video and interview on deadline. I think the project is a crucial part of our program, as it not only gives our students the opportunity to learn about what is happening in the industry, it is also an opportunity to get the university's name out there. It made me so proud to hear people talk about our new media program and the great professionals that emerge from it. It was a life changing experience.”

Student Impressions “It was one of the best experiences that I have had in my college journey. I was exposed to diverse opinions on current and future technologies and challenged in a new, uniquely creative environment. I was able to establish new connections and talk with peers about various ideas presented by people from all over the world. I feel I learned more than I ever could in the classroom alone. I also learned how to blog better, but so much more came from this event that I did not expect.”

Student Impressions “As soon as I sat down in the front row of the first panel and opened my MacBook to start working, everything clicked. I felt prepared. That moment exemplified all of the hard work that we’ve been putting in. I felt right at home. That feeling stayed with me every moment that I was on site.”

Student Impressions “This is by far the most useful, eye-opening project I’ve ever been part of (especially for school). I learned more in the 3 days I was at SX than I’ve learned in full semesters of most other classes. It was a lot of work but it was so much fun, and I got so many comments about how good our stories were and how cool our site was. I think it gives our program a leg up on other New Media/Journalism departments because we get to be part of something so huge, and we all made so many valuable connections.”

Observations This project demonstrated all areas of the Gibbons/Hopkins model. One of the most important aspects was demonstrated in the psychosocial mode: maturity, personal growth and participants being accepted as members of the community. Projects are showcases of student learning; permanent archive that can be used as the basis for future projects or to justify funding. Can use a campus or local event; try to get involved with the organizers Challenges – funding for access; time commitment; teaching style must be adjusted for a variety of student learning styles; fast-paced; stressful All participants must become comfortable working in an environment where new information and skills must be assimilated very quickly.

Conclusion Students are attending discussions about concepts they learned in class and techniques they are using in their coverage, thus constantly reinforcing the importance of what they are doing. Role of “new professor as creator of experiences” Provides a method by which experiential learning projects can be evaluated

Photos Texas State students at SXSW 2011 interview Startup Bus competitors Students during SXSW 2009 Kristin McCasland and Mairin Heard interview previous student Dee Kapila, who worked at the non-profit Girlstart, an Austin organization that promotes technology exposure to girls, at the time. She is now works in IT Strategy at The University of Texas. McCasland is now a Webmaster at Rice University and Heard is a social media manager at HomeAway.

Jon Zmikly and Maira Garcia work on video in their “office.” Zmikly is now a Senior Lecturer at Texas State University. Cooper Cherry and Lewis Knight interview Jacob Harris and Andrei Scheinkman of NY Times at SXSW Photos

Students record the crowd before the Zuckerberg keynote at SXSW Jon Zmikly and Lewis Knight interview Tim Hayden during SXSW Knight is now a PhD student studying Digital Media Determinism at The University of Texas. Photos

Nicole Martinez interviews Joel Rasmussen of Fan Trail at SXSW Previous project participants Maira Garcia and Anna Tauzin speak on a panel proposed by Garcia at SXSW Garcia is now the social media manager at Austin American- Statesman and Tauzin is web communications specialist at the National Restaurant Association in Washington, DC. Photos

Sarah Hopper interviews Internet pioneer, Ethernet inventor and University of Texas professor Bob Metcalfe during SXSW Sarah Garcia interviews people from OrgSync on a live stream during SXSW Garcia now works for SXSW Interactive. Photos

Students and professionals interact at the joint meetup of Texas State and Indiana University students with visiting professionals at the Texas Tribune during SXSW Professor Cindy Royal and Sarah Garcia prep for another live stream during SXSW Photos

Student Ryan Stewart interacts with members of The New York Times Interactive News Technology team at the joint meetup at the Texas Tribune during SXSW Students prepare for the day at SXSW Photos

Philip Hadley grabs a photo with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg at a local barbecue joint at SXSW Photos