getting real about social media
DESCRIPTION
Hazel Hall's invited keynote paper presented at Internet Librarian International, London, 13-15 October 2010. The content of this paper was developed into a journal article accessible from http://hazelhall.org/?attachment_id=105.TRANSCRIPT
Getting real about social media
Dr Hazel HallDirector – Centre for Social Informatics
Institute of Informatics & Digital InnovationEdinburgh Napier University
Keynote, Friday 15th October 2010
@hazelh@hazelh
1. Context of “realities”
Recognise that “What aren’t we going to do?” is as important as “What we are going to do?”
Recognise that “What aren’t we going to do?” is as important as “What we are going to do?”
http://www.bite.ca/bitedaily/2010/07/social-media-monopoly-board-game/http://www.bite.ca/bitedaily/2010/07/social-media-monopoly-board-game/
Social media tools are not an alternative to real life, they are part of it. (Shirky, Cognitive surplus, 2010, p. 37)
Social media tools are not an alternative to real life, they are part of it. (Shirky, Cognitive surplus, 2010, p. 37)
Social media tells me that my sister caught this salmon last Friday when fishing on the River Tyne with my father…
Social media tells me that my sister caught this salmon last Friday when fishing on the River Tyne with my father…
… and the important dates for EBLIP6, what’s happening at SLA, who is in charge at the BL, how much it costs to join the LIS Research Coalition, the name of the new professionals’ network, where to find someone on the train that I would like to meet, when a friend’s baby is born, and when a colleague has died.
… and the important dates for EBLIP6, what’s happening at SLA, who is in charge at the BL, how much it costs to join the LIS Research Coalition, the name of the new professionals’ network, where to find someone on the train that I would like to meet, when a friend’s baby is born, and when a colleague has died.
Social media are aggregators of people (not data alone, not information alone): their lives, their experiences…
Social media are aggregators of people (not data alone, not information alone): their lives, their experiences…
… and this includes librarians, working (generally) within institutions, with their users.
… and this includes librarians, working (generally) within institutions, with their users.
Social media are aggregators of people (not data alone, not information alone): their lives, their experiences…
Social media are aggregators of people (not data alone, not information alone): their lives, their experiences…
Good at this!Good at this!
Good at this!Good at this!
and this!and this!
Good at this!Good at this!
and this!and this!
i.e. extensions to existing practice facilitated by social media: we are information professionals
i.e. extensions to existing practice facilitated by social media: we are information professionals
But what about this?But what about this?
But what about this?But what about this?
To what extent are we genuinely engaging with library stakeholder communities in a participatory, collaborative fashion?
To what extent are we genuinely engaging with library stakeholder communities in a participatory, collaborative fashion?
But what about this?But what about this?
To what extent are we genuinely engaging with library stakeholder communities in a participatory, collaborative fashion?
To what extent are we genuinely engaging with library stakeholder communities in a participatory, collaborative fashion?
How can we fully exploit the potential of social media by involving users in services delivery?
How can we fully exploit the potential of social media by involving users in services delivery?
(a) Social media currently provide additional platforms for “traditional” information delivery
Keynote key points
(a) Social media currently provide additional platforms for “traditional” information delivery
(b) Examples of sophisticated personal professional applications of social media demonstrate potential for further innovation in services
Keynote key points
(a) Social media currently provide additional platforms for “traditional” information delivery
(b) Examples of sophisticated personal professional applications of social media demonstrate potential for further innovation in services
(c) How we conceive relationships – between tools, information professionals, end users - will determine the boundaries of service innovation
Keynote key points
2. Basis of line of argument: formal research and informal
conversation
TwitterTwitter
BloggingBlogging
Blogs, wikis, social networking, IM, microblogging
Blogs, wikis, social networking, IM, microblogging
ConversationConversation
#EdCM discusses implementation of social media. Members from various backgrounds: new knowledge is created at boundaries.
Long-term impacts difficult to predict.
#EdCM discusses implementation of social media. Members from various backgrounds: new knowledge is created at boundaries.
Long-term impacts difficult to predict.
3. Recognition of social media as (just another) technology
implementation
Unintended uses: telephones, photocopiers…Unintended uses: telephones, photocopiers…
Consequences of 500 years of printing in the West still not fully understood, e.g. recent discussion of “Gutenberg parenthesis”: codification is accidental blip (so that’s why those KM projects were sub-optimal...)
Consequences of 500 years of printing in the West still not fully understood, e.g. recent discussion of “Gutenberg parenthesis”: codification is accidental blip (so that’s why those KM projects were sub-optimal...)
Wikipedia as site of breaking newsWikipedia as site of breaking news
Microblogging = blogging small (trivial) messages?Microblogging = blogging small (trivial) messages?
Microblogging = blogging small (trivial) messages?Microblogging = blogging small (trivial) messages?X
Hall, H. (2009). When social means business: the potential of social computing tools to support collaborative work as part of the organisational information infrastructure. Invited keynote paper presented at Innovation in e-information, Manchester 16-17 June 2009.
MICROBLOGGINGI’m using Twitter to publish useful information that people read, and to converse 1x1 authentically.
MICROBLOGGINGI’m using Twitter to publish useful information that people read, and to converse 1x1 authentically.
Hall, H. (2009). When social means business: the potential of social computing tools to support collaborative work as part of the organisational information infrastructure. Invited keynote paper presented at Innovation in e-information, Manchester 16-17 June 2009.
Detailed sociotechnical studies of technology implementations demonstrate multiple, unexpected, roles that are context-dependent and subject to user “bricolage”
Detailed sociotechnical studies of technology implementations demonstrate multiple, unexpected, roles that are context-dependent and subject to user “bricolage”
For example, initial implementation as “pet project”
For example, initial implementation as “pet project”
… as status symbol… as status symbol
… as 2-directional career ladder… as 2-directional career ladder… as measurement tool… as measurement tool
… as corporate focus… as corporate focus
.. or in this case, a tool for knowledge sharing (or not).. or in this case, a tool for knowledge sharing (or not)
Also seen in context of individual Twitter profilesAlso seen in context of individual Twitter profiles
@JISC 348@CILIPInfo 151@LISResearch 111
@JISC 348@CILIPInfo 151@LISResearch 111
Misnomers: if Twitter is a media that is social, why do all these people come to #EdCM Friday mornings at 08:00am?
Misnomers: if Twitter is a media that is social, why do all these people come to #EdCM Friday mornings at 08:00am?
For the same reasons that we still carve messages on stones, craft letters in ink etc: because basic human needs and behaviours are more constant than distracting “movement” generated by new technology
For the same reasons that we still carve messages on stones, craft letters in ink etc: because basic human needs and behaviours are more constant than distracting “movement” generated by new technology
(a) Functions will extend beyond initial conception
(b) Function is in the eye of the beholder
(c) “Social” as misnomer, social element of tools varies
(d) Need to consider potential against context of enduring human behaviours
Characteristics of social media
4. Social media for personal professional purposes: examples
and value of sophisticated deployment
Use social media for collaborative project work and learning: wikis, blogs, instant messaging, online tweet-ups
Use social media for collaborative project work and learning: wikis, blogs, instant messaging, online tweet-ups
Use social media for staff development: participation in amplified events
Use social media for staff development: participation in amplified events
Use social media for efficiency at work: unshackling from e-mail lists in favour of Twitter feeds
Use social media for efficiency at work: unshackling from e-mail lists in favour of Twitter feeds
Use social media for profile raising: tweeting, blogging
Use social media for profile raising: tweeting, blogging
Experiment beyond the “brand name” toolsExperiment beyond the “brand name” tools
Use social media to peer review work (amongst other things)
Use social media to peer review work (amongst other things)
Snap shot of 2010 research project on Twitter revealed pockets of sophisticated deployment of social media for personal professional use, e.g. use of lists, third party applications, strategic following etc. value
Snap shot of 2010 research project on Twitter revealed pockets of sophisticated deployment of social media for personal professional use, e.g. use of lists, third party applications, strategic following etc. value
5. Social media for library services delivery: examples
Lots of examples availableLots of examples available
Use social media for marketing/PR: Facebook, Twitter, blogs
Use social media for marketing/PR: Facebook, Twitter, blogs
Use social media for information discovery and access, subject guides: social book marking, blogs
Use social media for information discovery and access, subject guides: social book marking, blogs
Use social media for training/teaching: YouTube videos, podcasts
Use social media for training/teaching: YouTube videos, podcasts
Use social media for virtual reference: instant messaging, chat
Use social media for virtual reference: instant messaging, chat
Use social media for news and current awareness: Twitter and blogs – events, new resources, opening hours, popular titles (“twinforming”)
Use social media for news and current awareness: Twitter and blogs – events, new resources, opening hours, popular titles (“twinforming”)
Snap shots here reveal social media used largely to deliver same services in a different way (sometimes at level of whole institution) but where is user participation, as opposed to consumption?
Snap shots here reveal social media used largely to deliver same services in a different way (sometimes at level of whole institution) but where is user participation, as opposed to consumption?
Use social media to build upon “traditional” services deliveryUse social media to build upon “traditional” services delivery
Use social media for new forms of interaction for broad purposes
Use social media for new forms of interaction for broad purposes
7. We are all part of the reality: develop our users, develop
ourselves
Users consume connect canvas communicate comment commentate contribute collaborate
(See Umar Ruhi, PhD 2010: http://www.umar.biz)
We steward we accept flux & beta we collaborate
Tactics vary: coordinated, “conventional” action amongst large groups versus irregular practice in small, networked cells
Tactics vary: coordinated, “conventional” action amongst large groups versus irregular practice in small, networked cells
Develop stakeholder participation: lead communities & user-generated services, client self-support
Develop stakeholder participation: lead communities & user-generated services, client self-support
They are here!They are here! and here – with mobiles and wirelessand here – with mobiles and wireless
Student support example in Yammer: they did it because it was useful, because humans like making and sharing things
Student support example in Yammer: they did it because it was useful, because humans like making and sharing things
New links to user-generated services planned
New links to user-generated services planned
@LISResearch might be advised to follow its follower community: increase peripheral vision, understanding of context
@LISResearch might be advised to follow its follower community: increase peripheral vision, understanding of context
@LISResearch at least follows “core” followers through #LISRC10 list
@LISResearch at least follows “core” followers through #LISRC10 list
4,861 is over double the follow figure on Twitter
4,861 is over double the follow figure on Twitter
Interact with users in their “home” social media space
Interact with users in their “home” social media space
The identity fix
Distinguish between corporate identity (often the royal “we”), individual professional work identity, and personal identity in social media applications
Distinguish between corporate identity (often the royal “we”), individual professional work identity, and personal identity in social media applications
… at least to avoid sounding daft, but also to protect from reputational risk
… at least to avoid sounding daft, but also to protect from reputational risk
Develop through harnessing the network: crowd-sourced queries
Develop through harnessing the network: crowd-sourced queries
Follow the examples of othersFollow the examples of others
Engage in new forms of professional organisation
Engage in new forms of professional organisation
Consider how tools deployed for one purpose may have value in another context
Consider how tools deployed for one purpose may have value in another context
Induction games?Hints and tips for users?Prizes for the library mayors?
Induction games?Hints and tips for users?Prizes for the library mayors?
Biggest risk?Biggest risk?
8. Getting real
Use social media for collaborative project work and learning: wikis, blogs, instant messaging, online tweet-ups
Use social media for collaborative project work and learning: wikis, blogs, instant messaging, online tweet-ups
Use social media to peer review of work (amongst other things)
Use social media to peer review of work (amongst other things)
Use social media for information discovery and access, subject guides: social book marking, blogs
Use social media for information discovery and access, subject guides: social book marking, blogs
Use social media for news and current awareness: Twitter and blogs – events, new resources, opening hours, popular titles (“twinforming”)
Use social media for news and current awareness: Twitter and blogs – events, new resources, opening hours, popular titles (“twinforming”)
Use social media to build upon “traditional” services deliveryUse social media to build upon “traditional” services delivery
Use social media for new forms of interaction for broad purposes
Use social media for new forms of interaction for broad purposes
Use social media for training/teaching: YouTube videos, podcasts
Use social media for training/teaching: YouTube videos, podcasts
Use social media for virtual reference: instant messaging, chat
Use social media for virtual reference: instant messaging, chat
Use social media for staff development: participation in amplified events
Use social media for staff development: participation in amplified events
Use social media for marketing/PR: Facebook, Twitter, blogs
Use social media for marketing/PR: Facebook, Twitter, blogs
Use social media for profile raising: tweeting, blogging
Use social media for profile raising: tweeting, blogging
Use social media for collaborative project work and learning: wikis, blogs, instant messaging, online tweet-ups
Use social media for collaborative project work and learning: wikis, blogs, instant messaging, online tweet-ups
Use social media to peer review of work (amongst other things)
Use social media to peer review of work (amongst other things)
Use social media for information discovery and access, subject guides: social book marking, blogs
Use social media for information discovery and access, subject guides: social book marking, blogs
Use social media for news and current awareness: Twitter and blogs – events, new resources, opening hours, popular titles (“twinforming”)
Use social media for news and current awareness: Twitter and blogs – events, new resources, opening hours, popular titles (“twinforming”)
Use social media to build upon “traditional” services deliveryUse social media to build upon “traditional” services delivery
Use social media for new forms of interaction for broad purposes
Use social media for new forms of interaction for broad purposes
Use social media for training/teaching: YouTube videos, podcasts
Use social media for training/teaching: YouTube videos, podcasts
Use social media for virtual reference: instant messaging, chat
Use social media for virtual reference: instant messaging, chat
Use social media for staff development: participation in amplified events
Use social media for staff development: participation in amplified events
Use social media for marketing/PR: Facebook, Twitter, blogs
Use social media for marketing/PR: Facebook, Twitter, blogs
Use social media for profile raising: tweeting, blogging
Use social media for profile raising: tweeting, blogging
Deploy social media tools as additional platforms for “traditional” information services delivery, and beyond
Deploy social media tools as additional platforms for “traditional” information services delivery, and beyond
Interact with users in their “home” social media space
Interact with users in their “home” social media spaceDevelop through
harnessing the network: crowd-sourced queries
Develop through harnessing the network: crowd-sourced queries
Follow the examples of othersFollow the examples of others
Consider how tools deployed for one purpose may have value in another context
Consider how tools deployed for one purpose may have value in another context
Develop stakeholder participation: lead communities & user-generated services, client self-support
Develop stakeholder participation: lead communities & user-generated services, client self-support
Experiment beyond the “brand name” toolsExperiment beyond the “brand name” tools
Recognise that “What aren’t we going to do?” is as important as “What we are going to do?”
Recognise that “What aren’t we going to do?” is as important as “What we are going to do?”
Distinguish between corporate identity (often the royal “we”), individual professional work identity, and personal identity in social media applications
Distinguish between corporate identity (often the royal “we”), individual professional work identity, and personal identity in social media applications
Engage in new forms of professional organisation
Engage in new forms of professional organisation
Interact with users in their “home” social media space
Interact with users in their “home” social media spaceDevelop through
harnessing the network: crowd-sourced queries
Develop through harnessing the network: crowd-sourced queries
Follow the examples of othersFollow the examples of others
Consider how tools deployed for one purpose may have value in another context
Consider how tools deployed for one purpose may have value in another context
Develop stakeholder participation: lead communities & user-generated services, client self-support
Develop stakeholder participation: lead communities & user-generated services, client self-support
Experiment beyond the “brand name” toolsExperiment beyond the “brand name” tools
Recognise that “What aren’t we going to do?” is as important as “What we are going to do?”
Recognise that “What aren’t we going to do?” is as important as “What we are going to do?”
Distinguish between corporate identity (often the royal “we”), individual professional work identity, and personal identity in social media applications
Distinguish between corporate identity (often the royal “we”), individual professional work identity, and personal identity in social media applications
Engage in new forms of professional organisation
Engage in new forms of professional organisation
(Practitioners + tools) + (users + tools) = reality(Practitioners + tools) + (users + tools) = reality
(a) Social media currently provide additional platforms for “traditional” information delivery
(b) Examples of sophisticated personal professional applications of social media demonstrate potential for further innovation in services
(c) How we conceive relationships – between tools, information professionals, end users - will determine the boundaries of service innovation
Keynote key points
Getting real about social media
Dr Hazel Hall
@hazelh, [email protected],
Keynote, Friday 15th October 2010