For social media ideas, 'Check Your Head'

This isn't specific to higher education, but I just had to write about it: a HootSuite blog titled "5 Things the Beastie Boys Can Teach You About Social Media." What's not to love about that?!

Even more to love: The tips (titled with BB lyrics) are on the mark, for colleges and universities as well as other organizations that want (and need) to be successful at using social media.

They focus on giving your audience what it's looking for; providing regular and consistent updates that your audience can count on, even while you're out of the office; creating a sense of community and connection with your audience; standing up for your organization on social media; and listening — to what is being said about your university, and others.

So, so, so, so thank you Hannah Clark at HootSuite for showing how three old white rappers (old = my age, so maybe not too old!) are relevant to new media.

(Photo from Microsoft Office Images)

(Beastie Boys photo courtesy of HootSuite)

Visit your dream college...via Google

It's a rite of passage for many college-bound teens and their parents: trekking to campuses near and far before deciding to which schools they will apply. Whether it's a large open house or a personalized campus tour, the in-person visit can tip the scales for teens trying to decide where they will spend the next four (or so) years.

But just as families are looking more discerningly at college expenses, so too are they assessing the costs — in time and money — associated with campus visits. Depending on how far afield their future coed wants to wander, campus visits can mean time taken off work and school, hotel stays, travel by plane/train/automobile and more.

So I wasn't surprised when I read this in Time magazine: Google — which I'm hoping will be a benevolent ruler when we're all subjects in its kingdom one day — is promoting the use of Google Hangouts in the college admissions process as a way for students to visit campuses virtually.

It makes sense; as the article's author notes, a Google study showed nine out of 10 students research colleges and universities online. A Google Hangout could be a good way for prospective students to chat with current students, admissions and financial aid staff, even alumni about the programs and the school. It would be a great tool for international students, or even those U.S. students looking at a college on the other side of the country.

I can't imagine it replacing the campus visit, though, at least not for everyone. I think it could be very helpful in making the decision to visit a college or university, especially if it is some distance from a student's hometown. But how a place feels when you get there can make a huge difference.

Duke University participated in Google's College Admission Week last year. All its Hangouts are pulled together in this blog post.

(Photo from Microsoft Office Images)

(Google Hangout logo courtesy of Google)

How colleges can use Vine

Ever since Twitter introduced Vine in January, I've been intrigued by it — but I've also wondered how well it would catch on. Vine is Twitter for video: You get six seconds to tell your story. As with YouTube videos, I've seen some Vine videos that are well done, but plenty of others that are not.

This blog on highedwebtech.com lays out a number of ways that colleges and universities are using and could use Vine. I like them all, but as someone who formerly worked in university advancement communications, I love the idea of using short videos as thank yous from students to donors. Those who donate to universities relish seeing how their funds are used, and putting faces to names on a scholarship or awards list is always a winner.

You also can check out Vine videos from a number of schools on this post on EdTech. I especially like the ones from Rutgers, Miami and Webster.

Since Vine's launch, Instagram has introduced its own video capability, which can offer 15-second videos — a direct competitor to Vine.

(Photo from Microsoft Office Images)
(Vine logo courtesy of Twitter)