Research and Writing Tool: The Keyword Generator from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Library

Research and Writing Tool: The Keyword Generator from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Library

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has an incredible tool for students and faculty  writing papers. Sometimes, I have a difficult time brainstorming ideas for a particular research topic (I know that I cannot be the only person), In the past few weeks, I stumbled upon a database quick search tool from U of L Lafayette, "Keyword Generator". 

This is a ChatGPT prompt and it can help you develop keywords for your topic!

Basically, you place your search terms or your associated keywords and the system provides some associated terms for you.

Step 1 - I searched for "rural education"

Step 2 - The keyword generator developed these keywords for me:

1. Rural schools 

2. Access to education in rural areas 

3. Challenges in rural education 

4. Remote learning in rural communities 

5. Educational equity in rural schools 

6. Technology in rural education 

7. Teacher recruitment and retention in rural areas 

8. School infrastructure in rural communities 

9. Dropout rates in rural schools 

10. Special education in rural areas 

11. Community involvement in rural education 

12. Funding for rural schools 

13. Curriculum development for rural schools 

14. Impact of poverty on rural education 

15. Student achievement in rural schools 

16. Distance education in rural areas 

17. Cultural diversity in rural schools 

18. Professional development for rural educators 

19. Government policies affecting rural education 

20. Best practices in rural education.

Step 3 - After you view your results, you can copy and paste the results AND you can utilize ChatGPT without having to log in!

What do you think about this tool? I will definitely use it! Thanks University of Louisiana at Lafayette!

***

Check out my book - Retaining College Students Using Technology: A Guidebook for Student Affairs and Academic Affairs Professionals.

Remember to order copies for your team as well!

Interested in a specific student success topic or do you need a speaker for an upcoming conference? Contact me via direct message on Twitter or join our Student Success and Retention Institute - Learning Community on Facebook!

Thanks for visiting! 

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Professor of Communication

Executive Director of the Texas Social Media Research Institute & Rural Communication Institute

My Social Media Channels!
Remember to Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards
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Becoming a Social Media Scholar: Writing an Ebook Chapter

Hi everyone! I enjoy teaching the Social Media each semester, but each semester is a new experience. I always integrate new assignments and new social media technologies/features, because they are always changing. 

This semester, the students are doing the following assignment:

Scholar Group Project: Write Your Book Chapter (a List of 40+ Ideas) - Social Engagement Innovation on the 13 Social Media Categories

Each group will write a engagement paper focused on their computer-mediated communication scholar topic. This paper should include the following:

Brief Description:

1) describe the technology (4 sources needed per area), 

2) 40 ways (in total) companies/organizations can use the technology to engage with users in the following areas:

A - sharing information (10+ and 4 database resources),

B - providing services (10+ and 4 database resources),

C - providing status (10+ and 4 database resources),

D - offering goods (10+ and 4 database resources), 

3) Project the future of user interaction via the technology.

Here are specific instructions:

- Each component of this paper will be due on specific dates (as indicated on the syllabus calendar).

- Each group member is required to significantly contribute to the production of the paper. Each week, each group member’s work will be assessed for contributing significant comments on the Google Document to sections for which their name is not assigned.

- Please remember to submit questions by 4pm on Friday. Questions submitted after 4pm will not be answered until Monday morning.

- Each component of this paper will be due on specific dates (as indicated on the syllabus calendar).

Interested in a specific student success topic or do you need a speaker for an upcoming conference? Contact me via direct message on Twitter or join our Student Success Communication and Technology Institute on Facebook!

Thanks for visiting! 

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Higher Education Speaker and Researcher

My Social Media Channels!
Remember to Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards
I Always Post Higher Education Videos on YouTube
Find Me on Instagram
Engage with Me on Facebook!
Watch My Videos on Twitter Live - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com
My Research Interests: Customer Service and Social Media, Higher Education Retention, and Millennials at Work

Searching for a Long-Term Academic Relationship (LTAR)

Relationships change, friendships evolve, and values are reaffirmed. The past sentence defines my life for the past six years. When I began my academic career, I had a core group  of academic friends at the institution. However, when lives changed and mindsets evolved, our academic lives drifted apart.

Thinking Back to the Sorority Days

I have to remember that this was a similar experience that I encountered with some of my sorority sisters after college. We had a lot in common when we saw each other each day and were completing college together, but when we began our career paths we discovered how different we truly were.

Focusing on Today

So, the differences. Yes, they are definitely evident now. I am no longer on the tenure track, I am almost an associate professor and my academic value systems changed from a faculty research focus to a student research focus. Everything that I do now focuses on helping our students navigate college while integrating high impact educational practices from their first-year to their senior year. 

Thinking Beyond Your Department

Just because you share an academic discipline and work on project together does not guarantee a long-term academic relationship (LTAR). A LTAR is strengthened when we participate in those high-impact relationship building activities like study abroad, text messages sent to encourage one another, a spontaneous coffee/tea invitation for a 30 minute walk around campus, and a telephone call just to let the other academic know that you are thinking of them.

Encourage Others by Thinking Positively

My past academic relationships have been VERY transactional and research and project-based. Now, I can say that these relationships are based on common experiences (away from the university) and shared (encouraging) conversations. We also encourage one another by discouraging any negative conversations about other people. These conversations can taint your views of others and the time that you spend gossiping can be allocated to conversations about family or classroom innovation ideas.

I am much happier since I realized that relationships in my 30s need to be long-lasting and based on common experiences and common mindsets, not purely transactional. Sometimes you just have to let friendships wither away, this can make you open to new (and better friendships).

Have a great day and keep thinking positively! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
Subscribe to Millennial Professor on YOUTUBE! 
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Teaching Teamwork - An Interview with Dr. David Blanke (Professor of History at TAMUCC)

As a LEAP Texas Faculty Fellow, I enjoy focusing on the the key learning outcomes from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU)'s Liberal Education and America's Promise Initiative. 

Our key learning outcome for the Spring 2016 semester was TEAMWORK! This is definitely one of my favorites because I incorporate teamwork in undergraduate research assignments and in graduate student presentations. In my opinion, this is one of the most important skills that a student can learn in college. They will encounter teamwork for the rest of their lives (in the workplace, in church groups, in their friendships, and beyond)!

In fact, the National Association of Colleges and Employers cites teamwork as one of the most important skills that students can learn in college. 

In March, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. David Blanke from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi at an annual teaching and learning conference in Texas. I loved his answers about teamwork!

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
Subscribe to Millennial Professor on YOUTUBE! 
Subscribe to Blog Updates on Facebook
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

30 Ways to Incorporate Teamwork in Higher Education Classrooms - A LEAP Texas Initiative

For the past four years, I've had a great time learning about higher education administration. It has been an incredible experience incorporating the key concepts and theories that I learned in graduate school everyday! From crisis communication to public relations, this has been daily learning experience!

One item that I really appreciate is the ability to teach while serving in higher education administration. I adore teaching undergraduate students and I love teaching graduate students as well. The social media teaching field requires me to teach and learn everyday! 

Last summer, I applied and I was selected as a Faculty Fellow for Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP Texas). Through this experience, I've been able to connect with other faculty fellows from across the state while learning additional concepts about teaching in higher education. I've learned about the core curriculum from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. In addition to the core, one of the most life changing items that I've learned includes key concepts about assessment and the LEAP Value Rubrics.

During my time as a fellow, it has been amazing to merge two of my higher education loves (teaching and social media). In the spring semester, I was very fortunate to present a Periscope (one of my favorite technologies) focused on "30 Ways to Incorporate Teamwork in Higher Education Classrooms". 

I enjoyed presenting this Periscope to the attendees and this scope is archived on the Leap Texas YouTube Account. Enjoy!
Please feel free to ask any questions about the LEAP Texas experience! In fact, applications are available as well! Here's the link! - 

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
Subscribe to Millennial Professor on YOUTUBE! 
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Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

#NASPA15 - Conference Recap: Connected, Communicated, Converted, and Convinced (+BookClubs)

This week, I was fortunate to attend and present at the NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) Conference and I had such a great time learning about new concepts in higher education/student affairs. This includes: Yik Yak, Title 9, assisting student parents, marketing to new college students and their parents, and the importance of THINKING BIG!

Book Clubs in Student Affairs - Neat Concept!

One of the sessions that I loved the most was the "book club session" focused on student affairs publications and other publications in the leadership field. This session really inspired me to "think outside of the box" because it is incredibly hard to read an assigned/required book within a specific time frame and then report the important findings (and my reflections) to my accountability group (book club). 

This book club enabled me to think about creating a journal clubs or reading e-books from the library databases without having to add an expense to our university accounts or the book club participants' personal accounts. I will write a few additional ideas about the higher education book club concept in a few days.

Connecting with Past Colleagues

Through NASPA, I was able to connect with one of my former supervisors from Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) and connect with MANY colleagues from TACUSPA (Texas Association of College and Student Personnel Administrators). These connections are always valuable for me, because I made a point to remain in contact with my student affairs colleagues even when I left the student affairs field and became a member of the faculty. You NEVER know how your career path will take twists and turns!

Communicating with Others via Twitter and Instagram

During conferences, especially a large scale conference (for example, NASPA had 7,000+ participants) it is important to connect with other attendees via the conference backchannel on Twitter. This is valuable because I believe a rich conversation exists on the conference hashtag (before, during, and after the conference). Also, through the conference backchannel, participants can form relationships and participate in "meet ups" during the conference (to take the virtual conversation to the virtual environment). It is always amazing to meet someone who recognizes you from Twitter.

Converted My Mind About Blogging

I attended the "Blogging Bravely" session on March 23, 2015 at 8:30 am and this session featured many of the premier student affairs bloggers - @paulgordonbrown @MarciKWalton @reneepdowdy  @josieahlquist. This was a great session, because it caused me to re-examine my blogging goals.

I had a hard time finding my blogging voice in my new role. It was incredibly easy to blog about

teaching techniques, but it is difficult to blog about a hybrid role (academic affairs and student life functions). It is very difficult to find a which topics appeal to your audience! 

Convinced Me to Publish Articles on Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Partnerships

Also, I usually publish in Communication Journals and speak at communication conferences, but I will definitely have to modify my venues and outlets to publish on bridging the gap between academic affairs and student affairs at institutions of higher education. I am actually energized and I hope to publish an article in the near future!

As you can see, I had a great time. It was great writing this brief blog post, because this post functioned a great reflection piece for me. Energized! Back to work!

Sincerely - @drjtedwardsTSU

Welcome Back to Texas! The AEJMC Conference Was Great!

Readers,

I just arrived home from the AEJMC conference in Oklahoma and it was an amazing and refreshing experience. One of my colleagues from the Communication Department (@SarahMaben) organized the panel and submitted the proposal. We were accepted and I packed the car and drove to OK! It was actually an easy drive.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ludophoto/2537811428/

We have lived in this area (DFW) for around six years and I have never driven from Texas to Oklahoma! In fact, it was my first time DRIVING out of state and actually walking from my car to a hotel in about six years! Go figure!

During the conference, I had time to network with colleagues and catch up on e-mail (which is an arduous task to say the least). I enjoyed the wonderful "conference" environment and I took a lot of notes for our 2013 Social Media Conference!

As a result of attending the conference, I plan to start a book proposal focused on Social Media and Higher Education Administration. We will see HOW long this process will take, but I am eager start!

Sincerely, 

J. Edwards - Millennial Professor

http://www.facebook.com/millennialprofessor/ - millennialprofessor@gmail.com -  @DrSocialMediaTX 

Also - Check out millennialprofessormommy.com

Wandering Wednesdays - Why Students Plagiarize (A Neat Webcast from TurnItIn.com)

Reader,

I strive to educate the students in my classes about the importance of avoiding plagiarism and the importance of attribution when writing scholarly papers. In my opinion, this is one of the most important aspects of higher education. 

View this podcast about plagiarism and higher education from TurnItIn.com, "Why Students Plagiarize".

What do you think? Neat software and neat approach!
Sincerely, 

J. Edwards - Millennial Professor
http://www.facebook.com/millennialprofessor/ - millennialprofessor@gmail.com -  @DrSocialMediaTX 

Also - Check out millennialprofessormommy.com

Last Reminder - Please Help the MILLENNIAL PROFESSOR Blog! Take this SHORT Questionnaire about the Blog! :)

Readers,

I am in need of your SUGGESTIONS, COMMENTS, CRITICISMS, AND IDEAS for 2011! Please help me by completing the QUICK questionnaire below.


Thanks!

J. Edwards

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

Quick Reminder - Please Help the MILLENNIAL PROFESSOR Blog! Take this SHORT Questionnaire about the Blog! :)

Readers,

I am in need of your SUGGESTIONS, COMMENTS, CRITICISMS, AND IDEAS for 2011! Please help me by completing the QUICK questionnaire below.


Thanks!

J. Edwards

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

Keeping a High Level of Motivation in 2012! - Please Help the MILLENNIAL PROFESSOR Blog! Take this SHORT Questionnaire about the Blog! :)

Readers,

I am in need of your SUGGESTIONS, COMMENTS, CRITICISMS, AND IDEAS for 2011! Please help me by completing the QUICK questionnaire below.


Thanks!
J. Edwards

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

Keeping a High Level of Motivation in 2012! - Wandering Wednesdays - "Historian on the Run"

Readers,

This week, I have seen a wealth of posts about effectiveness and productivity levels. However, I have not seen many professors post on their academic or writing goals for the new year. Thankfully, there are a few! :) So, for this week's Wandering Wednesday post, we will visit several professor's blogs that are focused on goal setting for the 2012 school year.

Historian on the Run

This "30-something" professor is focused on health and academics! She posted eight goals for the 2012 semester, which are divided into running and health goals, writing and professional goals, and personal goals. I like how she divided her goals into three distinct categories.

Also, here is a great video about something that is in my horizon...the end of the tenure process..

Did I miss YOUR goals from YOUR blog?

Sincerely,

J Edwards

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

Keeping a High Level of Motivation in 2012! - My Goals for 2012 (Reflections from 2011)

Readers, 

Happy NEW YEAR! I am energized, excited, and ELATED to spend this next year in higher education (and blogging). During the weekend, I started thinking about my goals (research, teaching, and blogging goals) for 2012!

2012 Goal #1 - Keep a steady focus on my research interests (social media and organizations, communication technology, work-life balance of the millennial generation) and write at least one journal article every three months (a minimum of four in total by December 31, 2012).

2012 Goal #2 - Keep a high-level of organization in my personal and professional lives. Using my Google Calendar, personal labeler, color-coded file folders, and Post-it notes will definitely help me to keep my life organized.

2012 Goal #3 - Involve at least 100 students in undergraduate research endeavors (inside and outside of the classroom environment). At least three of these students' papers need to be accepted for publication.

2012 Goal #4 - Take some time for myself. I love gardening and reading non-fiction books, but sometimes my professional life takes priority over these simple pleasures. I need to carve some time in my schedule for those tasks that help me to reduce my stress.

2012 Goal #5 (Goal Extension from 2011) - To promote my blog and to gain at least 50 additional followers. (I will need some help with this one).

2012 Goal #6 (Goal Extension from 2011) - To promote my business and to gain at least 5 additional speaking engagements this year.

2012 Goal #7 (Goal Extension from 2011) - To lose at least 10 pounds by next December 

Here are my goals from last year (2011)...

New Year's Goal #1 - To write at least one journal article every two months.

Done! Four of the articles were published this year! I am very thankful!

New Year's Goal #2 - To read at least one non-fiction book a week.

Done! I LOVE non-fiction books and there are MANY new books focused on organic gardening.

New Year's Goal #3 - To promote my blog and to gain at least 50 additional followers. (I will need some help with this one).

Not complete. I created a Facebook page this year, but I need to gain more additional followers, but I still think that this is an attainable goal.

New Year's Goal #4 - To promote my business and to gain at least 5 additional speaking engagements this year.

Not complete. I enjoyed traveling to various conferences this year and reviewing Adobe products, but I am interested in working with some additional companies and affiliate programs. Any suggestions?

New Year's Goal #5 - To lose at least 10 pounds by next December (to accomplish this, I am giving up bread for Lent and beyond)...

Due to unforeseen circumstances and LOTS of work, I am definitely planning to reach this goal by June 2012, but we shall see! ;)

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

Call for Articles - International Higher Education Teaching and Learning (HETL) Review

Readers,

Here's a publication opportunity! The International Higher Education Teaching and Learning (HETL) Review (http://hetl.org) is now accepting article submissions for 2011. See http://hetl.org/introduction-submissions/ for submission requirements.

Special theme for 2011-2012: University 2.0.Theme topic areas include:

- University 2.0: using Web 2.0 and other digital media technology in higher education.

Examples: virtual worlds, blended learning, social media technology, mobile learning.

- University 2.0: internationalization of teaching and learning.

Examples: multicultural learning, collaboration between universities, education for agency.

- University 2.0: social learning theories, instructional design, and learning outcomes.

Examples: assessment and evaluation of teaching and learning, syllabus/course design, curriculum design, program design.

- University 2.0: social, institutional, and policy-making challenges and opportunities.

Examples: managing learning communities, managing centers for teaching and learning, higher education reform.

Sample of on-going themes:

- Best practices in teaching and learning.

- New pedagogical approaches in teaching and learning.

- Innovation and the future of teaching and learning.- Comparative studies in teaching and learning.

- Interdisciplinary teaching and learning.

- Internationalization of teaching and learning.

- Faculty development and learning communities.

- Cooperative learning and collaborative learning.

- Active learning and student engagement.

- Group-based learning, project-based learning, inquiry-based learning, case-based learning, and problem-based learning. 

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

A WONDERFUL List of Teaching and Learning Journals and Conferences!

Readers,

Kennesaw State University's Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning recently published a comprehensive list of journals that focus on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

These journals are divided into the following categories:

- General or Interdisciplinary Journals on Teaching

- Teaching with Technology Journals

- Discipline-Specific Journals on Teaching

- Journals Addressing General Issues in Higher Education

In addition to the journal list, Kennesaw State also published a 2011-2012 Calendar of Teaching Conferences!

These conferences are divided into the following categories:

- General and Interdisciplinary Conferences

- Discipline-Specific Conferences

Enjoy! 

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

Traveling With Undergraduate Students - Preparing for the Southern States Communication Association Conference

Readers,


This week I am very excited about the Southern States Communication Association Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas! This year's conference is going to be amazing because I am presenting two papers, serving on a panels, and chairing a paper session. Aside from my busy schedule, I am also bringing seven undergraduate students who have been invited to present their research as part of the Undergraduate Honors Conference. 


As a result of the conference later this week, I have to prepare my online and face-to-face classes for their virtual assignments on Wednesday and Friday. My interpersonal and organizational communication courses are working on their research papers by distributing their survey and fine tuning their data analysis section via Google Docs. My two online speech courses are working on their informative speeches and updating their outlines on Google Docs. Google Docs enables me to view their progress on their assignment and to help the students along the way via my netbook or iPad.


Communication...it is not just the subject that I teach, but it is the daily life that I live!


Have a great week!

Sincerely,


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.