When Lander University announced the switch to online courses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mass Communications Professor Laura Hester's MEDA 351 class was already a few steps ahead.
Hester had already committed to teaching the course as a directed independent study (DIS) for two graduating seniors. However when several students had their study abroad plans in South Korea cancelled earlier in the semester due to COVID-19, she was asked to create an online class so students returning home could continue working towards their degrees.
The course is an introduction to social media, and examines today's evolving world of social media, and how to target and attract communities and create awareness. Naturally, Facebook was the perfect place for students to meet virtually.
Hester still uses Lander's Blackboard platform to post assignments and feedback on assessments and plans to use Blackboard Collaborate Ultra-a real-time videoconferencing tool within the platform-to allow students to present their final projects for the course. However, much of the daily class discussion takes place within the private Facebook group she set up specifically for the course. Inside, students can post articles and other online artifacts exploring the effectiveness of a variety of social media platforms, and start discussions among their peers in the comment sections of these posts.
"I try to share current news items related to social media," said Hester, "and I've also invited a few alumni and other professionals who work with social media to join our group, so they may offer their thoughts as industry experts."
Hester is not the first professor at Lander who has utilized Facebook Groups for online discussions. Dr. Sean Barnette, associate professor of English at Lander University, uses them as a way to encourage conversations in his traditional face-to-face classes to continue in a more casual setting. Meanwhile, Lecturer of Media Paul Crutcher has used them as an informal discussion board. All of the full-time faculty in the Department of Mass Communications have completed training from Lander's Center for Online and Innovative Learning, which Hester says has been beneficial in the move to online courses.
"My goal is for students gain insight and experience with current and emerging social media and digital technologies, as well as knowledge about various opportunities for strategically implementing digital, social and mobile media into strategic communication," Hester said. "By meeting regularly in our Facebook Group, students have the chance to interact with one another in a low-stakes environment like they would in a traditional classroom, while also getting experience with just one of the many tools available to us via social media."