Integrating Social Networks in Your Organization

Take away a practical strategy and techniques for implementing social networks for your organization or business.  Learn how to create your own private social network using Ning, work socially using Google Docs and calendars, and move your web site to an interactive Web 2.0 site.

Then your instructor will help you choose which social network tools are right for your situation, and then integrate them into your web site to develop a social networking strategy for your organization.

Find out what you can be doing, what you should be doing, and take back a plan to integrate social networks into your communication and marketing.

Online, one month; April, June, August, November; $195; Jennifer H. Selke, instructor.

 outlineCourse Outline

Unit 1.
Creating Your Own Social Network with Ning
How private social networks differ from public networks
Creating a Ning account
Unique uses of private social networks
Integrating a private network into your organization

Unit 2.
What Tools to Use for Your Organization
Choosing social network tools
Analyzing your goals and objectives
Creating your own organizational strategy
Staffing and management support

Unit 3.
Integrating Social Platforms into Your Web Site
Moving your web site to 2.0
Designing web sites for interaction and engagement
Technical considerations
Management strategies

Unit 4.
Developing a Manageable Work Flow
Time, resources and budgets
Evaluating your success with social networks
The future of social networks

Question MarkAbout online learning

Online learning is a fun, enjoyable and very productive way to learn. Millions of people are learning online each year. You will engage with the instructor and other participants. You will get to know your instructor and other participants. You may make friends.  It’s easy. It’s fun. 

GearsHow the Course Works

It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom.  You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access.

Once inside the online classroom, here’s what you can expect.

CalendarParticipate when you want

Participants can participate as little or as much as you want.
You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.
For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.

ChecklistWhat you will do

For each Unit, you will:

  • Read the print readings (about 20 pages a week)
  • Have the option of accessing the online readings
  • Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides
  • Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned
  • Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants

For best learning, you should make one or more comments at 2-3 different times each week.
The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.

DiscussionDiscussion

The Discussion for each Unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night.

Your instructor will log into the Discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants.

We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each week to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

It’s easy. It’s fun.

Next course starts:
August 2-August 28, 2010

About the Instructor

Jennifer Selke, social media expertJennifer Selke is a nationally known expert, speaker and consultant in the area of social media.  She is a faculty member in the University of California Berkeley Graduate School of Education and is affiliated with the Berkeley Center for New Media. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from U.C. Berkeley.

Jennifer is a licensed educational psychologist in private practice. Her technology interests have taken her into the blogging and social media world where she runs a popular blog. She speaks at national conferences on the subject of social networks, writes articles on the subject, and conducts webinars for professionals on the topic.

Directional ArrowsCourse Objectives

  • To give students knowledge about how social networking should function within an organization
  • To provide the necessary tools for creating and implementing a social networking strategy
  • To provide direction on how to facilitate smooth integration of social networking into existing marketing and communication strategies
  • To provide guidelines for evaluating which social networks are most appropriate within your business setting

Puzzle PiecesCourse Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course you will:

  • Be able to create your own private social network using Ning
  • Be able to work socially using existing resources such as Google Docs and calendars
  • Move your web site to an interactive Web 2.0 site
  • Select the best social network tools for your business
  • Develop a strategic plan for implementation of a social networking initiative