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Social media tools have immersed upon the world of higher education. According to the 2011 Pew Internet Report (Madden & Zickuhr, 2011) over 65% of online adults use social networking sites. Access to these mediums, however, is not enough. Integrating social tools into the daily practices of online teaching fosters positive and collaborative relationships among the virtual learning community. Social media tools are changing educational culture and practices. Evidence shows that engagement with social media affects the way learners locate, create, and share knowledge. Social media strategies can be integrated into the virtual learning environment in many ways. Web 2.0 tools offer innovative ways for instructors to personalize classes through blogs, wikis, video and social networking. Through the use of these tools, students are not passively receiving information but actively learning and collaborating with their instructor and colleagues. Web-based tools enable instructors to demonstrate their presence and allow students to communicate with each other as if they were in the same place. In an effort to provide instructors with best practices for the implementation of Web 2.0 tools, ideas are shared to present those in higher education with optimal ways to connect, build, and maintain relationships with others through creative interaction and learning.

Presenter Information:

Justina Kwapy, PhD., received her PhD in Educational Administration from Capella University. She has served in the field of education for the past 16 years. She has been teaching online for Grand Canyon University Online for the past 7 years in the area of Teacher Education. Her passion is research in building online learning communities that really work, and supporting students in their virtual learning experience. Dr. Kwapy specializes in supporting students with disabilities access higher education. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in virtual learning and continues to prepare future educators for their role as virtual instructors.