Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards: A Texas Professor Focused on Artificial Intelligence, Health, and Education: Search results for higher education

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Monday, August 5, 2019

Course Navigation Guide - Higher Education Student Services

Welcome to the Higher Education Student Services course at Tarleton State University. In this course, we focus on everything student services including student activities, student success, and retention!

This course at Tarleton State University is located in the Educational Leadership Department.

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

Monday, July 29, 2019

How to Use Google Trends for Social Media Posts

Exploring Google Trends is one of the best ways to discover social media topics and ideas for posts. Here's a quick video focused on how to use Google Trends for Content Generation.

Monday, July 15, 2019

10 Reasons Why ALL Tarleton State University Students Need an Internship

The Texas Social Media Research Institute provides on-campus internships for Tarleton State University students. Here are 10 Reasons why all Tarleton State University students and ALL College Students Need an Internship.

Monday, July 1, 2019

Org. Communication - How to Help New Employees Feel at Home in an Organization

Hi everyone!

When you are joining a new workplace or organization, it is important to know about the acculturation process. The process includes learning about the history, politics, language, interpersonal relationships, goals, and values of the organization. The most memorable messages for new employees are role-related and culture-related.

Monday, June 17, 2019

Intercultural Communication - Defining Communication as an Element of Culture

Intercultural Communication is important for all college students. This video examines: Defining Communication as an Element of Culture

Monday, June 3, 2019

Crowdsourcing Using Google Forms - It is EASY! You can DO IT!

Sometimes you just need to crowdsource! You can crowdsource opinions, ideas, and also funding for projects/events. Sometimes, it just takes a little idea from lots of people to make a big difference. Crowdsourcing has been used to name new concepts from babies to businesses!

These crowdsourced ideas can help people determine how to do something and where to do something. This video represents a neat way to crowdsource ideas on social media websites through Google Forms. It is mobile friendly and user kind!

Monday, May 27, 2019

Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Professionals: Assembling Your Personal Team of Advisors

Hi everyone! Throughout my years in academic affairs and student affairs, I've discovered that you have to have your own team. For example, our students have athletic advisors, student financial aid advisors, and academic advisors. All of these team players can help a student make progress towards success.

Just like our students, we need to have our own tenure and student affairs teams to prepare us for success. For example, my team consists of the following:

1 - One or Two Faculty Team Advisors (You never know when you will need research to help you answer questions.)

2 - One or Two Staff Team Advisors (You never know when you will need help with processes at your institution or to help locate resources.

3 - One or Two Student Team Advisors (You never know when you will need the pulse of campus or to have a student's perspective of a workshop or administrative decision.

4 - One or Two Community Team Advisors (You never know when you will have a need to complete service). Which should be often. ;)

5 - One or Two Family Team Advisors (These are for your moral support. These should be family members who have NO IDEA what you do on a daily basis.)

6 - One or Two Health Team Advisors (These are for your health support. These individuals can include your doctor, your wellness coach, and your workout partners.)

7 - One or Two Financial Mentor Advisors (These are for your financial stability for the current time and also for the future. These individuals can include your friends, your family members or formal advisors.)

Your team will be dynamic and it will change over time, but I strongly success reassessing your team every six months. See if your interests align with their interests. If they do not, make a professional exit strategy and write a thank you note.

So, assemble your team. Get started - now!

Monday, May 20, 2019

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).

Monday, May 6, 2019

For Educators: How to Use Canva to Create Infographics

I love Canva and I am thankful for everything that I have been able to create through the online software system. If you are interested in seeing any of the Canva creations, please let me know. :)

Monday, April 29, 2019

Key Vlogging and Instagram Equipment - A USB Ring Light!

Hi everyone! I have a New Ring Light!

Hi everyone! I needed a portable ring light and I decided to connect with my good friend Amazon and discovered this amazing ring light. It is USB powered and it can connect to a computer via USB or wall outlets.

Actually, I used this ring light with an external Anker Battery.

Tarleton People Click this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JX79GBS/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Everyone else, here's click my affiliate link. It helps me purchase more equipment for the blog and vlog! - https://amzn.to/2TOpNuQ

Monday, April 15, 2019

Becoming a Social Media Scholar at Tarleton State University

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).

- 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).

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Sectors of Student Services

This semester, I am teaching a Student Services Class in the Master's Program! The first week, the students will determine which sectors of student services they would like to explore this semester. Did I miss anything? Do you work in an office that is not listed on the form?

Monday, March 4, 2019

Academic Affairs and Student Affairs - Innovative Ways to Work Together to Embrace Student Success

This is part two! In July 2018, I had a wonderful opportunity to present the Academic Affairs and Student Affairs - Innovative Ways to Work Together to Embrace Student Success. This session focused on student engagement strategies, answers "What is Student Engagement?", and ultimately increasing student engagement in academic and student affairs. This session was presented at the American Association of Colleges and University's Summer Conference, "Public Universities in Challenging Times". This was an incredible opportunity, because it was the last AASCU conference that I would attend.

You ask why? Well, it was because I transitioned from an administrative role back to a faculty role after the death of my mother (but more on this later).

So, I traveled to San Antonio from the Fort Worth area with my prepared presentation in hand. It was an incredible conference and I learned so much! Also, I had a chance to network with my administrator colleagues. YES!

I was very fortunate to present on this topic because it is definitely a passion of mine. I've served in student affairs and academic affairs for almost 20 years. Sometimes, it is difficult to realize how long I've served in higher education, but believe me - every year has been worth it. I've learned a lot through this process and I've had the pleasure of meeting outstanding faculty, staff, and students through the process.

During my time in administration, I had the pleasure to spearhead the American Association of State Colleges and Universities's National Reimagining the First-Year experience initiative. Forty-three additional institutions from states across the nation were included in this initiative and three of them are Texas institutions. I have had personal experience with three of the four institutions. I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University and Sam Houston State University and then I've been a faculty member at Tarleton State University for the past 11 years. So, this conference has special place in my higher education heart.

Here are some sample tweets from the conference:

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley definitely had a presence at the conference!

UT RGV sends messages to students via the Student Success Collaborative at 11pm at night for campaigns. The Netflix Strategy! #highered #highereducation #retention #edu #stuaff #retention #StudentSuccessTech #college #AASCUAAM pic.twitter.com/aJeM7KnhL0
— Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards (Millennial Professor) (@drjtedwards) February 9, 2018

Then, of course I had to contribute on Twitter! I wrote a tweet about my session.

The #AASCUAAM app description for my session is not correct. Here’s the correct one:#highered #HigherEducation #retention #edu #StudentSuccessTech pic.twitter.com/nycZKLL8iB
— Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards (Millennial Professor) (@drjtedwards) February 9, 2018

Then, I always contribute additional information (and resources) for other attendees. Conferences are great opportunities to share resources and to network with others!

Providing Incentives for Academic Advisors During Key Advising Times https://t.co/mxxS63XGvf #AASCUAAM #AASCU #StudentSuccessTech #highered #acaadv #FYE18 pic.twitter.com/KkkmGXEoo0

— Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards (Millennial Professor) (@drjtedwards) February 21, 2018

Here's some additional information about my session:

Academic Affairs and Student Affairs - Innovative Ways to Work Together to Embrace Student Success
Evergreen C
Student Affairs and Academic Affairs can work together to positively affect the success of first-year students at institutions of higher education. However, the continued disconnection between academic affairs and student affairs may negatively affect first-year students. This session provides participants with "25 Ways to Connect Academic Affairs and Student Affairs", research-based strategies to promote student success for first-year students, and participants will have an opportunity to share strategies from their respective campuses. Presenter: Jennifer Edwards, Associate Professor of Communication, Assistant Vice-President for Student Success and Multicultural Initiatives, Tarleton State University

Presenter(s): Jennifer Edwards, Tarleton State University

Here are a few slides from my presentation:

During the presentation, we had a lot of engagement and then attendees had a chance to ask questions. I enjoy presenting about academic affairs and student affairs because I believe that both of these topics are very important for higher education.

Monday, February 25, 2019

Implementing Student Success Technology: A Presentation at the AASCU Summer Meeting 2018

In July 2018, I had a wonderful opportunity to present "Just Send a Text Message: Innovative Ways to Reach College Students Through Student Success Retention Technologies". This presentation focused on online student engagement and student retention. This presentation was facilitated at the American Association of Colleges and University's Summer Conference, "Public Universities in Challenging Times". This was an incredible opportunity, because it was the last AASCU conference that I would attend.

You ask why? Well, it was because I transitioned from an administrative role back to a faculty role after the death of my mother (but more on this later).

So, I traveled to San Antonio from the Fort Worth area with my prepared presentation in hand. It was an incredible conference and I learned so much! Also, I had a chance to network with my administrator colleagues. YES!

Shout out to all of my AASCU RFY colleagues!

UT RGV sends messages to students via the Student Success Collaborative at 11pm at night for campaigns. The Netflix Strategy! #highered #highereducation #retention #edu #stuaff #retention #StudentSuccessTech #college #AASCUAAM pic.twitter.com/aJeM7KnhL0
— Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards (Millennial Professor) (@drjtedwards) February 9, 2018

Then, of course I had to contribute on Twitter! I wrote a tweet about my session.

The #AASCUAAM app description for my session is not correct. Here’s the correct one:#highered #HigherEducation #retention #edu #StudentSuccessTech pic.twitter.com/nycZKLL8iB
— Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards (Millennial Professor) (@drjtedwards) February 9, 2018

Then, I always contribute additional information (and resources) for other attendees. Conferences are great opportunities to share resources and to network with others!

Providing Incentives for Academic Advisors During Key Advising Times https://t.co/mxxS63XGvf #AASCUAAM #AASCU #StudentSuccessTech #highered #acaadv #FYE18 pic.twitter.com/KkkmGXEoo0

— Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards (Millennial Professor) (@drjtedwards) February 21, 2018

Here's some additional information about my session:

Just Send a Text Message: Innovative Ways to Reach College Students Through Student
Success Retention Technologies
San Juan A

Communication is a vital part of a college’s retention plan. Through this interactive session,
participants will discover best practices for higher education institutions who implement student
success retention technologies like the Education Advisory Board’s Student Success Collaborative
and Hobson’s Starfish Retention Solutions. Sample templates for emails and text messages,
campaign analytics, an annual academic nudging communication plan, and social media retention
resources will be shared. The Student Success Engineers program, a training program for
implementing retention software, will highlighted in this presentation. Academic nudging (email,
telephone calls, and texting) incorporates theories and processes from healthcare to motivate and
influence individuals to complete items quickly. Participants will leave with a list of action items
that administrators and faculty can easily incorporate in their on their campus.

Presenter(s): Jennifer Edwards, Tarleton State University

Here are a few slides from my presentation:

During the presentation, we had a lot of engagement and then attendees had a chance to ask questions. I enjoy presenting about student success and communication because I believe that both of these topics are very important for higher education.

Monday, February 18, 2019

6 Ways for Higher Education Faculty and Staff to Handle Conflict in Their Department

I know that you get along with everyone right? Wrong! I will almost promise you that you will not get along with everyone all of the time. As a millennial, I am in a workplace (higher education) in which I do not have many peers. I am in my mid-30s and most of my peers are in their 50s and 60s. As a black professor, I do not see many people who look like me who do what I do on campus each day (teaching).

When differences are evident, this means that disagreements can happen. We have to be prepared for these disagreements ahead of time and to mentally be alert to HOW we are reacting to situations and people.

Recently, I read an article in Entrepreneur that can be applied to the higher education environment as well. "How to Handle Office Conflict" focused on six ways that employers can address office conflict amongst their employees. These strategies can also be applied to student affairs and the tenure track process.

1 - Confront It - Sometimes when we disagree with someone and we do not address the conflict when it arises, it can become worse. For instance, if you have to work on a group project with someone and you are taking more of the responsibility, this means that you need to address this responsibility inequity with your research or student affairs partner!

2 - Know When to Cut Ties - When you are working on a research project with someone and they do not hold up their end of the research bargain, you can cut your ties with your research partner. Sometimes, it is VERY difficult to do so, but in the long run it can save you months of anguish!

3 - Take It Outside - When you address the issue, you need to have in face-to-face and in an open, private place. This means, maybe a table on the patio of the building or perhaps in the library coffee shop, but address the conflict in neutral space.

4 - Embrace It - Know the the conflict exists, acknowledge it and converse about the conflict!

5 - Keep It Constructive - When you converse about the conflict, you need to stay focused on the topic at hand. Sometimes, when a conflict occurs it is easy to think about other items that are affected BY the conflict. AVOID this!

6 - Designate a Mediator - Think about involving someone who is not in your department and perhaps not in your academic college. Faculty conflict and conflict amongst student affairs professionals is very common, but address the conflict before it becomes a larger issue.

Okay guys, resolve the conflict and get stuff done!

Oh and by the way, here's another resource for you:

6 Strategies to Resolve Conflict at Work

6 Strategies to Defuse Office Conflicts Before They Get Out of Hand

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

Monday, February 11, 2019

Teaching Computer-Mediated Communication Online - Course Navigation Video

This semester, I am teaching Computer-Mediated Communication (COMM 5312) for the Communication Studies department! I am VERY excited about teaching this course!

Here's the course description and learning outcomes:

Course Description: (3 Credits) - This graduate course provides a historical and futuristic perspective on the creation of the internet and computer-mediated communication. Students in the course will examine and critique scholarly research articles focused on a variety of computer-mediated communication contexts (i.e. - blogs, social networking websites, video chat, etc.)

Book 1 - Costa, E., Miller, D., Haynes, N., McDonald, T., Nicolescu, R., Sinanan, J., Spyer, J., Venkatraman, S., & Wang, X. (2016, February, 29). How The World Changed Social Media, London: UCL Press. (Free E-Book!!!!!)

At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to...

At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to...

A. Knowledge Outcomes

- describe the history of computer-mediated communication

- describe a social and technical understanding of computer-mediated communication and its social and technical effects in different contexts of use

skill in summarizing and synthesizing concepts from published scholarship

B. Skill Outcomes

- demonstrate familiarity with different modes of computer-mediated communication

- project the future and potential impacts of computer-mediated communication

- apply theories and concepts from the course to computer-mediated communication case studies and in informal consulting situations.

Each week has a different learning outcome and a different reading for the week (Open Education Resources and Library Article links of course!

Each semester, I also make a course navigation video. here it is!

Monday, February 4, 2019

Teaching Organizational Communication Online - Course Navigation Video

This semester, I am teaching Organizational Communication (COMM 4304) for the Communication Studies department! I am VERY excited about teaching this course!

Here's the course description and learning outcomes:

Course Description: (3 Credits) - Course Description: (3 Credits) - An advanced study of communication as it takes place in business and industrial settings. Special attention will be given to managerial communication, communicator style, channels and networks, and organizational communication consulting.

At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to...

A. Knowledge Outcomes

- understand the importance of networks with organizations. (Wk 11)

- understand how organizational culture is developed. (Wk 4)

- how small groups work within an organization. (Wk 12)

- understand how communication problems are diagnosed and solved within organizations. (Wk 10)

- know how communication styles impact organizational communication. (Wk 8)

B. Skill Outcomes

- a communication audit of an organization. (Wk 10)

- trace communication through a network. (Wk 8)

- construct work teams within an organization. (Wk 12)

Each week has a different learning outcome and a different reading for the week (Open Education Resources and Library Article links of course!

Each semester, I also make a course navigation video. here it is!

Monday, January 28, 2019

Teaching Intercultural Communication Online - Course Navigation Video

This semester, I am teaching Intercultural Communication (COMM 3332) for the Communication Studies department! I am VERY excited about teaching this course!

Here's the course description and learning outcomes:

Course Description: (3 Credits) - A study of intercultural communication theories and how they shape interpersonal, small group, and public interactions. Students will observe, participate, and analyze intercultural interactions on campus and in the community.

At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to...

A. Knowledge Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Students will understand the similarities and differences of cultural and societal groups living in the United States.

Students will recognize cultural similarities and differences in verbal and nonverbal communication.

Students will understand the similarities and differences between their culture and other cultures.

Students will understand how culture shapes and is reflected in communication between males and females.

B. Skill Outcomes

Students will demonstrate knowledge of intercultural communication competence through participating in intercultural research and observation.

Students will demonstrate knowledge of intercultural communication competence through participating in an intercultural interview.

Students will recognize and understand the role of communication in intercultural adaptation and acculturation.

Students will recognize the differences between race, ethnicity, and nationality.

Each week has a different learning outcome and a different reading for the week (Open Education Resources and Library Article links of course!

Each semester, I also make a course navigation video. here it is!

How to Link to a Specific Tweet - Great for Classes!

Sometimes, it is very difficult for students and others to link to a specific tweet. This video highlights a VERY SIMPLE way to link to a tweet and to integrate it into a Google Document (or potentially in an email).

Check it out!

How could you integrate this social media skill into your classes?

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