Title: 'Create a Better Online You': designing online learning resources to develop undergraduate social media skills

Authors: Megan Pozzi

Addresses: QUT Library, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove Campus, GPO Box 2434 Brisbane, 4001, Australia

Abstract: This article charts the development of the 'Create a Better Online You' (CBOY) project. The focus of CBOY was the social media skills of undergraduate students at QUT. While many students will have encountered 'cybersafety' training in primary or secondary school, however, a comprehensive environmental scan revealed little in the way of social media resources targeted at undergraduate students. In particular, there was little to no focus on the ways in which social media could be used strategically to develop a positive online reputation and enhance chances of employability post tertiary education. The resources created as part of CBOY were the result of a comprehensive literature review, environmental scan, interviews with key internal and external stakeholders, and in discussion with undergraduate students at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Following the comprehensive environmental scan, it appears that CBOY represents one of the first free, openly accessible, interactive resources targeting the social media skills of undergraduates.

Keywords: social networking; digital literacy; undergraduate students; online learning; e-learning; electronic learning; higher education; resource design; educational resources; social media skills; online reputation; employability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMILE.2015.074011

International Journal of Social Media and Interactive Learning Environments, 2015 Vol.3 No.4, pp.305 - 321

Received: 24 Feb 2015
Accepted: 10 Aug 2015
Published online: 02 Jan 2016 *

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