Apparently, there is no class tonight, 28 June because of the upcoming holiday. Enjoy your break. I will see all of you again next Monday, 6 July. Make sure you send me the URL of your blog to my email, VargasLMV@gmail.com, before the next class.
Please note, your syllabus requires you to create a blog for class use. We will discuss the reasoning and use for blog in first class, but please, set-up a blog prior to class through PRblogs.org. Creation of blog is simple and FREE.
I know this may seem scary, but at the end of the course, I hope you will become more familiar with social media and how to integrate these tools with traditional media practices. I am not the only professor using blogs as a teaching tool. Take a minute to read fellow educator's post, What does blogging teach?
Cross-posted to Communicators Anonymous.
Last month, I attended the first Government 2.0 Camp. It was a brilliant experience! Approximately 500 peers, thought leaders, social media pioneers and the occasional government 2.0 carpetbagger addressed the opportunities and challenges of new media in government functions. The break-out groups were relatively small in comparison to the massive audience sizes of SxSWi sessions.
It was invigorating to see other agencies putting new practices into play and to rub shoulders with those on the Beltway that I do not get to interact with much because our DoD agency, AAFES, is located in Dallas, Texas. Unfortunately, over two days and 110 sessions, I heard more than my fair share of tool buzz versus execution and policy questioning, but that was expected.
I think it is important to stress that government does not need social media for greater transparency...what we need is re-evaluation of policy hindering transparency (who, what, when, where, why - How do we collaborate and share internally? Think Enterprise 2.0.) then use the tools to spread the word and further collaborate externally.
As promised, instead of taking linear notes, I mind-mapped the camp! Never before have I taken notes like this...and I am still learning. I need to incorporate more images...but here is my stab at the buzz of Gov 2.0 Camp:
(Please note: I did not list specific tools/applications/platforms like Twitter, FB, etc.)
Follow these directions to write the jingle about any product/service. Midterms are due by start of the fourth class and must be published to your blog. For inspiration, read the jingles written by a previous MK class.
Please note, your syllabus requires you to create a blog for class use. We will discuss the reasoning and use for blog in first class, but please, set-up a blog prior to class through PRblogs.org. Creation of blog is simple and FREE.
I know this may seem scary, but at the end of the course, I hope you will become more familiar with social media and how to integrate these tools with traditional media practices. I am not the only professor using blogs as a teaching tool. Take a minute to read fellow educator's post, What does blogging teach?
(Cross-posted on Communicators Anonymous.)
Last summer, I watched Kami Huyse prepare for her talk at Blog Potomac 2008. She was not writing out her main topic notes, but diagramming them! Kami was mind mapping. Intrigued and inspired, I set-off to learn more about this process. By nature, I am no David Armano, but a linear person. I did not think the visual form of mind mapping could assist me. Well, I was wrong.
The 'Laws of Mind Mapping' and phrase 'Mind Mapping' were originally devised by Tony Buzan, though the process has existed and taken many forms over the centuries. Now the process is made even easier with mapping software, but the principles remain the same. In The Mind Map Book, Buzan claims that the mind map is a vastly superior note taking method because it does not lead to a "semi-hypnotic trance" state induced by other note forms. Buzan also argues that the mind map utilizes the full range of left and right human cortical skills, balances the brain, taps into the alleged 99% of your unused mental potential, as well as intuition (which he calls "superlogic").
Usually I reserve the instruction of mind mapping to my Speech students, but last night, I introduced the concept to my International Marketing students. Why? Not for individual note taking, but to ease cross-cultural communications! (Hat tip to Cindy King for leading me to this article.) This article made me think about sharing my mind maps and easing communications across social media tools.
I use mind mapping to plot my blog posts, story and speech outlines. Rarely do I use mind mapping for meeting notes. Nor do I share my mind mapping notes or process with anyone. My scrawling stays safe in my notebook. I use my blogs, email and twitter to crowdsource thoughts and occasionally use a hashtag to track feedback. Unless the feedback is summarized in a blog post, the original intent for solicitation is not generally shared.
Too often we see only through a narrow lens. What if I used mind maps to track the rabbit holes my mind takes and share with the world? Questions would be raised and answered by the people with additional experiences. Gaps would be filled in; pieces of the puzzle fit properly and the overall picture visible to all.
A common complaint about coverage of SxSWi and other conferences is that those tweeting or live blogging the event do not pause for reflection. The content is simply regurgitated.
Reflection is built into the mind mapping process.
This weekend, I will be attending Govt 2.0 Camp and will try mind mapping the unconference. I will post my maps on this blog. Wish I would have thought of this sooner...all notes of SxSWi are written long-hand.
How do you use mind maps? Pros and Cons? Favorite software tool?
Additional Resources:
(Mind Map image courtesy Buzan World.)
We will use Twitter for tonight's class discussion. To follow discussion, you will log-in to Twitter using TweetChat. Enter room #nwcd1 (type in this hashtag). Here you will be able to follow the entire class discussion using hashtag (#nwcd1). Read the Twitter Fan Wiki for more information about hashtags. This is very simlple. Just log-in and begin using TweetChat; the hashtag will automatically be included in all your tweets so your information is contained to the #nwcd1 stream.
Class discussion begins at 7pm and will end at 8pm. I will post questions and articles for you to read and discuss in the stream. Remember, it is all about participating and adding value to the conversation!
There is no class Tuesday, 24 February. Apparently, the installation will be closed. Mid-terms are not due until class #5! I will still be looking at your blog posts and tweets...
OK...are you ready to tweet in the twitterverse with fellow marketing tweeple?
As discussed last night in class, please read 40 of the Best Twitter Brands and the People Behind Them, then follow all 40 profiles. On class #6, you will turn in a one-page paper discussing how these brands used Twitter. Were they pushing messages? Great at conversation? Was their Twitter presence reflective of company culture? Do you think the Twitter tactic is sustainable? You tell me.
During weeks 3-5, your class work load will include creating a Twitter account and participating in marketing communication conversation with classmates and other tweeple! Please follow the instructions below and join in the conversation today!
Setting Up Your Twitter Account
Setting Up Your Follower List
When the Twitter page loads, click the Follow button.
Repeat this process for each person in the class.
You may follow additional people if you choose. A great way to begin finding like-minded people is to follow people your followers are following. Check my follower list for many PR/Marketing minds!
Using Twitter
Also, respond to your classmates’ tweets. To respond, click on the arrow after a tweet. Or you can type the @ symbol followed immediately by a username (such as @VargasNWMKTG).
Twitter Tools
Applications to assist managing tweets:Twhirl (Desktop), Tweetdeck (Desktop), Twitterberry (Blackberry), and Twitterific (iPhone and iTouch).
PR 2.0: Twitter Tools for Community and Communications Professionals
Recent Comments