Using Social Media For Education: Part 1

If you are looking for a social website where you can anonymously share your experiences and learn from others’ stories, visit Experience Project (EP). Armen Berjikly, from Stanford University, started it in 2007 as a support group for Multiple Sclerosis patients. It became so popular among family and friends that Berjikly opened it to the public.

EP has great potential for both educators and learners. Teachers can post stories or questions, and elicit comments or answers. They can also have learners post their own stories or questions. Additionally, there is a quiz and survey-making function.

At first glance, it looks like it caters to a young, sociable crowd. It has 24 categories, including Doing Good, Health, Hobbies, Dating and Relationships and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender). However, on closer inspection, you will see the categories have sub-sections that have more import. For example, under Hobbies, you will find Education and Science & Technology.

If you cannot find a category, you can enter it in the “Search” box, and a drop-down menu will show options. For example, “Education” will show some of the experience groups, stories, and questions about education.
Each experience section begins with “I”. For example, “I like Educational Technology”, “I Support Online Education”, and “I Am An ESL Teacher”. If you do not see a category that grabs your interest, you can create one yourself.

Joining EP is free and easy. You create a username and give an email account (which is not shared publically). You will get your own homepage, which has many options on a sidebar menu. Alternatively, you can just join groups, post stories or comments, or ask questions of the community (then choose the best answer), without adding any information on your homepage. You can join EP here: http://www.experienceproject.com/register.php


Here are some links to EP pages of interest to online adult educators and learners.

I Like Educational Technology (stories) (I just started this group and made my blog post the first entry)
http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Like-Educational-Technology/698130

I Want To Build An Adult Learning Community (needs stories)
http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Want-To-Build-An-Adult-Learning-Community/267219?omni

How Do I Make Myself Courageous In Front Of Adult Learners? (Q&A)
http://www.experienceproject.com/question-answer/How-Do-You-Make-Yourself-Courageous-When-Teaching-In-Front-Of-Adults-For-The-1st-Time/177751?omni

What Are Effective Teaching Strategies? (Q&A)
http://www.experienceproject.com/question-answer/What-Are-Your-Effective-Teaching-Strategies-For-Adults/179786?omni

I Teach Illiterate Adults/ Ask Me Anything
http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Am-A-___-Ask-Me-Anything/738371?omni

I Am An ESL Teacher (stories)
http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Am-An-Esl-Teacher/326649?omni

I Support Online Education (stories)
http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Support-Online-Education/316605?omni

I Love Technology
http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Love-Technology/25338?omni

I See the Education System Leaving People Behind
http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/See-The-Education-System-Leaving-People-Behind/76555?omni

I Will Save Money Pursing Adult Education
http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Will-Save-Money/863580?omni

I Appreciate Senior Epers Fifty +
http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Appreciate-Senior-Epers-Fifty-Plus/571048?omni

In my next post, I will tell you about how to use another social network for educational purposes.