Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Evaluating Universities Twitter Web Pages Responding To The Black Lives Matter Movement, Hind Albadi, Thomas Kenny

Faculty Publications: Communication

In the wake of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in May 2020, many colleges and universities responded by making statements on their website and social media channels condemning racism. Higher education institutions began initiatives for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for faculty, staff, administrators, and students on campus. Three years later, this study investigates whether universities are still offering and promoting workshops, classes, events, and activities related to DEI to campus communities. To do so, the researchers conducted a content analysis on Twitter categorizing tweets over a one-month period, then they classified the Tweets using the top 10 colleges …

Small Historically Black Colleges And Universities Bridging Social Capital: The Use Of Language, Tone And Content To Share Information On Instagram, Pamela Peters

Journal of Research Initiatives

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained higher education institutions, especially small Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). As campuses closed and reopened, Black communities' digital divide grew, adding to the need to stay connected. This study uses social capital to examine how institutions use language, tone, content, and information to bridge social capital. An analysis of 35 small liberal arts HBCUs’ Instagram posts was undertaken to compare post frequency, types of information, engagement, tone, language, and content in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the pandemic, 2020 and 2021. This study indicates that post-oversaturation in 2020 and 2021 and information …

A Cross-Platform Exploratory Study Of International And Domestic Scholar Post Engagement On Social Media, Allison R. Byrd, Catherine E. Sanders, Alexa Lamm

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

Social media use varies globally across cultures, even within extension services. Recognition of the contributions of international scholars at the universities where they serve also varies. Social media use in international scholars’ countries of origin may differ from that of their institution’s country, affecting social media engagement with a university’s posts featuring international scholars. Using the conceptual framework of audience segmentation, this study explored the differences in social media audience engagement between research themes and international and domestic scholars on Instagram and Twitter. Using a causal-comparative design, this study created Instagram and Twitter posts highlighting peer-reviewed research conducted by both …

Encouraging Or Guilt-Inducing? An Analysis Of Fitspiration Content And Its Effect On Body Image And Lifestyle Changes, Brenna Mazour

Honors Theses

More people are acquiring their nutrition and exercise information from social media accounts called fitspiration. Analyses of fitspiration content have found the focus to be on restrictive diets and excessive exercise that’s appearance driven. Although its intent is to inspire its consumers to change their lifestyle, many speculate that it brings upon negative body image and induces guilt. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been used to determine why people take part in certain health behaviors, such as diets or exercise regimens posted on fitspiration. TPB shows how the characteristics of social media discourage people to use fitspiration as …

Presidential Rhetoric In Times Of Health Crises: From President Eisenhower To President Trump, Abbi Murphy, Justin Kirk

Honors Theses

Three major health crises in American history include the polio epidemic in the 1950s, the Ebola crisis in 2014, and the coronavirus in 2020. Each of these viruses evolved under a different President, from President Eisenhower to President Obama to President Trump. Each of these presidents spoke to the people on their respective crisis, and here I examine speeches, addresses, and social media posts in order to examine the rhetorical strategies that each President utilized. Each of them had a similar goal in mind, to eradicate the disease and quell the public’s fears. However, they all had advantages and disadvantages …

Mental Health Advocacy For Kids: A Social Media Campaign, B Rangel

Honors Theses

Abstract

Mental health in children has important, life-long effects on the child (Ghandour et al., 2018; Underwood & Washington, 2016). Because it is not always easy for parents to access important mental health resources and information (CDC, 2022b), I wanted to investigate whether social media is a viable way for parents to learn more about their child’s mental health. I created and distributed ads aimed at parents on three common mental illnesses diagnosed in children: anxiety, depression, and ADHD. My ads had high levels of engagement, thus allowing the possibility that social media could be important avenue for reaching parents.

Unpacking Privilege In Pandemic Pedagogy: Social Media Debates On Power Dynamics Of Online Education, Roy Schwartzman

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

As one of the world’s major social media hubs dedicated to online education during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Facebook mega-group Pandemic Pedagogy provides a panoramic perspective of the key concerns educators and students face amid a public health crisis that forces redefinition of what constitutes effective education. After several months of instruction under pandemic conditions, two central themes emerged as the most extensively discussed and the most intensively contested: (1) rigor versus accommodation in calibrating standards for students, and (2) ways to improve engagement during classes conducted through videoconferencing, especially via Zoom. Both themes reveal deeply embedded systems of privilege …

Sink Or Swim? Transitioning Academic Library Outreach In Times Of Covid-19, Lauren Wittek, Maureen Rust

Library Scholarship

This practical article explores the challenges and unexpected benefits discovered when a public regional academic library transitioned its engagement and outreach efforts to a fully online format. The onset of COVID-19 presented a need for a radical change to Central Washington University Libraries’ events and social media communication. While adhering to the core principles of library outreach and engagement, the library has shifted the modality and types of programming offered to meet safety guidelines. Online event assessment, promotion, and engagement will also be discussed.

Best Practices For Voter Engagement Within Higher Education, Alyssa Tomins

Honors Projects

It is imperative that higher education institutions learn more about how to recruit members of younger generations to participate in future elections. Young people have historically voted at low rates, but that trend has started to change in recent years as more resources are being devoted to voter engagement among young people. This leads to the interest of understanding what best practices and strategies have academic institutions utilized to advance voter engagement on their campuses. This qualitative study analyzes these best practices and strategies at 84 colleges and universities, all of whom are members of The Andrew Goodman Foundation Vote …

The Use Of Online Data Sources In A Qualitative Analysis Learning Project, Sunny R. Winstead, Christopher J. Alterio

The Qualitative Report

Our purpose in writing this article is to describe the use of online data sources (such as blogs and microblogs) in a qualitative analysis learning project for graduate occupational therapy students. The project was designed to meet the following learning objectives: (1) increase students’ understanding and appreciation for qualitative research principles and methods, (2) increase students’ ability to use thematic and narrative analysis procedures with authentic data sets, and (3) increase students’ ability to apply qualitative findings to occupational therapy practice. This article describes the project’s theoretical rationale, components, objectives, implementation, and informal outcomes, along with a discussion of strengths …

Recognizing Bias In Social Media News: Resources For Teaching Media Literacy In Special Education, Melinda S. Burchard Ph.D., Lori Konopasek, Betsy Layman, Sarah Myers, Linda Poston

Faculty Educator Scholarship

With the empowerment of social media news literacy, students in special education can interact with their world with deeper competencies of critical thinking skills and civic engagement. In exploring personal and news biases, online users will have the tools to effectively grapple with the content found in their newsfeeds.

The included lesson uses current social media news stories. Students will be able to identify vocabulary communicating possible bias, including absolute words or phrases, words or phrases communicating degree, and words or phrases that are positively or negatively charged.

The Evolving Information Needs And Behaviors Of Undergraduates, Brianna Limas

School of Information Student Research Journal

Undergraduates comprise a highly complex information community, composed of many identities and with a range of interests and skills. Emerging technologies continue to play a critical role in undergraduates’ information behaviors. While prior literature has focused on the academic information needs of students, emerging technologies have brought to light the considerable role of their everyday life information behaviors. This paper seeks to explore the information needs and behaviors of undergraduates, in particular the current and incoming graduating classes. With increased focus on meeting everyday life information needs and continued appreciation and understanding of the versatility of emerging technologies in the …

Social Media Application In Agriculture Extension Programming For Small Scale Rural Farmers: Is Knowledge Impeding The Lack Of Adoption?, Stephan Moonsammy, Donna Marie Renn Moonsammy

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge level of farmers on basic computer literacy, social media use, and to explore which social and demographic factors affected their knowledge capacity. The study had a final sample of 176 participants from the northern, southern and central regions of Trinidad and Tobago. A survey instrument comprising of 14 multiple-choice questions with one accurate response was developed to decrease bias of farmers randomly selecting the accurate response. The questions addressed knowledge on basic computer and social media literacy. Analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc testing. Results indicated that there …

Fogler Library Covid-19 Misinformation Challenge Post, Jen Bonnet, Senta Sellers

Raymond H. Fogler Library

Social media post promoting Fogler Library's COVID-19 Misinformation Challenge, aimed at helping participants discern fact from fiction in popular media. At the time of the content's submission to the University of Maine COVID-19 Community Archive, approximately 483 people had signed up from across the United States, and even from international locations.

Building Engagement In Facebook: A Case Study With Utah State University Extension Sustainability, Kenna Kesler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore how Utah State University (USU) Extension Sustainability uses Facebook to engage followers. The researcher conducted a quantitative content analysis of 504 messages posted to the USU Extension Sustainability Facebook page. Graphics and links were the most common post characteristics used. Text-only posts and posts containing videos were used the least. Food was the most common area of sustainability discussed on the page. Posts containing videos, shared content, or that tagged other pages in Facebook messages experienced statistically significantly higher user engagement than posts without those characteristics. Posts containing hashtags experienced statistically significantly …

#Instasuccess: How Collaborating With A Student Assistant Can Transform Your Library’S Social Media Presence With Real Appeal, Kari L. Siders, Kirsten N. Setzkorn

Library Faculty Presentations

No abstract provided.

Live Ambience And Homestead Away From Home: Social Media Use And Dependency By Visiting Chinese Students In The United States, Zixue Tai, Jue Lu, Fengbin Hu

Journalism and Media Faculty Publications

This study investigates social media dependency relations among Chinese college students during their three-month study abroad sojourn in the United States. Data were collected using a multimethod approach of ethnography, field observation, and in-depth interviews. Inspired by the lens of media system dependency (MSD) theory, the analysis focuses on the diverse goals and motivations that drive student behavior in social media engagement, as well as various contextual factors leading students to adapt and transition to the U.S. social networking sites (SNS), and the subsequent outcomes. The findings indicate that task-driven and assignment-centered goals dominate social media use, and that multidimensional …

How Do You Like Me Now? Social Media Bridging The Distance In Online Education, Lee Heller

Theses and Dissertations

Distance education has disrupted our educational norm, with students taking more online courses than ever before. Some research has assumed that online students experience a feeling of isolation, disconnect with their institution, and overall, have a diminished educational experience. During the last 10 years, another phenomenon, social media, has also experienced explosive growth, including the largest and most interwoven into modern society: Facebook.

With almost 92% of respondents in this study reporting they use Facebook daily, this study found there was statistical significance (1) between using Facebook for social use and the feelings of isolation; (2) between belonging and participating …

Applying A Modified Technology Acceptance Model To Qualitatively Analyse The Factors Affecting Microblogging Integration, Tian Luo, David Richard Moore, Teresa Franklin, Helen Crompton

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The purpose of this research is to examine factors affecting students’ perception and engagement of microblogging integration using a qualitative approach. We employed a qualitative case study design to explore potential factors affecting microblogging integration in a hybrid course. Using the technology acceptance model (TAM) model as an umbrella framework, we examined through in-depth interviews with 18 participants the impact of microblogging integration into instruction that affected students’ reported use and perceptions of their microblogging-supported learning experiences. We found that individual differences, system characteristics, social influence and facilitating conditions all have impact on student participation and engagement in microblogging integration …

Leigh Gilmore Talks At Umaine About The #Metoo Movement, Kendra Caruso

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Leigh Gilmore, a distinguished visiting professor of women’s and gender studies at Wellesley College, was the first speaker of this year’s Stephen E. King Lecture Series. Gilmore spoke about topics related to the #MeToo movement and its origins.

Curriculum Change In Undergraduate Strategic Communications Programs: How Strategic Communications Programs Are Adapting To 21st Century Media, Allyson B. Goodman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The year 2014 has been described by scholars as transformative in how consumers interact with technology and media. Pointing to such digital milestones as the explosion of social media and mobile technology and the decline of traditional television ratings, these scholars have described the evolution as a move from a broadcast era to a postbroadcast era of media. This mass media evolution has opened a digital talent gap between the skills needed by the industry and the abilities of current and potential employees.

Focusing on undergraduate strategic communications programs, this research discusses the current status of new and social media …

#Meto Panel Discussion Raises Awareness Of The Social Media Movement, Bria Lamonica

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

On Nov. 29, a panel discussion was held around the ongoing social media hashtag #MeToo. The discussion took place in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union and included five panelists offering different perspectives, finishing with a question-and-answer session. The discussion was sponsored by the UMaine's Women's. Gender, and Sexuality Program (WGS) the Rising Tide Center, and the Feminist Collective.

Curiosities: The Official Blog Of Sheridan, Sheridan College, Susan Atkinson, Richard Finch, Golnaz Golnaraghi, Carol Hill, Keiko Kataoka, Christine Szustaczek, Mark Mulloy, Jane Cockton, Stewart Dick, Erica Shaw

Communications and External Relations books

Welcome to the book edition of Curiosities - the official blog of Sheridan. The book is a curated collection of blog posts from curiositites.sheridancollege.ca, which show the vibrancy and energy at Sheridan. Here you'll find all things creative, intriguing and noteworthy. From the profound to the peculiar, the stories in this volume offer insight into different fields of study, explore the ways in which Sheridan contributes to the world, and spotlight the people who bring Sheridan to life. Feed your curiosity by visiting the blog regularly for the latest stories about Sheridan: curiositites.sheridancollege.ca

The Influence Of Social Media On International Students: Case Study Analysis Of International Students From Arabian Gulf, Faisal A. Almutairi

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

Social media is increasingly becoming an important tool mainly for communication. However, organizations and institutions are embracing the platforms for marketing. Educational institutions have not been left behind in this regard, with most leveraging these platforms to increase their numbers while mainly targeting international students. This dissertation thus delves into the influence of social media on international students. The focus is on the effectiveness and efficiency of social media in influencing international students’ decision-making during selection of their preferred educational institutions.

Computer Supported Collaborative Learning: A Business Simulation Activity Using Social Media, Siyoung Chung, Hichang Cho

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Social media are dramatically changing the way welive and make social relationships with others. While students areso immersed in social media in their daily life, social mediaadoption in classroom has been slow. Educators who wish toexperiment with social media for CSCL struggle to find ways toincorporate the expected benefits and advantages of social mediato teaching lessons. This paper reports on the experiences ofusing social media for a business case simulation activity in ahigher learning context. Drawing on a qualitative feedback andsocial media log data of 27 teams of 135 undergraduate students,this paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of socialmedia as …

Logged In And Engaged: Examining How Social Media Can Develop, Maintain, And Increase College Student Engagement, Matthew Moquin

Higher Education Student Work

The purpose of this study was to examine how student affairs professionals, primarily those working in student involvement, utilized various social media technologies to increase their engagement with undergraduate college students. This study utilized Astin’s (1984) theory of student involvement, as well as a collection of literature surrounding the impact of social media on college students and their engagement in order to understand the influence social media can have when engaging with students. Since there is a limited amount of literature and research surrounding the subject of social media and its role in student engagement, a study was done that …

The Social Scholar: Re-Interpreting Scholarship In The Shifting University, Christine Greenhow, Ben Gleason

Benjamin Gleason

Oral History Interview With Arnoud De Meyer: Conceptualising Smu, Arnoud De Meyer

Arnoud DE MEYER

The interview covered: first involvement with Singapore, tertiary education in Singapore, business schools, role of university, city campus.

Biography:

President, SMU, 2010–present

Professor De Meyer became the fourth president of SMU in September 2010. A leader and well-known scholar in management studies, his research interests include manufacturing and technology strategy, management of R&D and innovation, management under conditions of high uncertainty and for novel projects, management and innovation in Asia, the globalisation of Asian firms, and e-readiness in Europe. He publishes widely in academic journals and books.

For twenty three years, Professor De Meyer was associated with INSEAD where he …

Knowledge Sharing And Social Media: Altruism, Perceived Online Attachment Motivation, And Perceived Online Relationship Commitment, Will W.K. Ma, Albert Chan

Support & Other Units (THEi)

Social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, have become extremely popular. Facebook, for example, has more than a billion registered users and thousands of millions of units of information are shared every day, including short phrases, articles, photos, and audio and video clips. However, only a tiny proportion of these sharing units trigger any type of knowledge exchange that is ultimately beneficial to the users. This study draws on the theory of belonging and the intrinsic motivation of altruism to explore the factors contributing to knowledge sharing behavior. Using a survey of 299 high school students applying for university after …

University Of Maine Social Media Policy, University Of Maine Division Of Marketing And Communications

General University of Maine Publications

Screenshot of the University of Maine's Social Media Policy.