Social Media Experiment – Harrisburg Pulls Plug

Please read:

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/09/09/harrisburg

Just posted this comment:

I use social tools extensively in my teaching and interaction with students. From Facebook office hours to a WordPress/BuddyPress course site developed with an outstanding grad student, I would virtually have my hands tied during this “experiment.” I agree with commenters above: how about a week without phone service so faculty would have to walk across campus to chat with a colleague or ask a question. Or shut down access to library databases for a week and rely on the library’s print collection for resources.

I’m much more interested in the connected campus concept – how are educational institutions embracing emerging tech to extend their mission. A million times more interesting to study those possibilities/drawbacks/unforeseen consequences than “to evaluate the extent to which social media are woven into the professional and personal lives of the people on the Harrisburg campus” by turning everything off.

I also appreciate the comments about IRB applications. Thanks to Jen Waller for sending me the link. This will be useful for class discussion for sure! 🙂

The provost’s bio is here: http://www.harrisburgu.net/about/biographies/?id=95