Personally, I have created my own tag cloud with a list of interests that I have as well as my name.

Throughout Sean’s presentation he provided a simplistic approach to using social media, and he demonstrated how the CVB conveys their message through social media. In his demonstration, Sean shared the anatomy of posting on Facebook. In his Facebook demonstration, Sean broke down the inner workings of a status, attachment and social stream. Sean also presented on other social media platforms, which included Twitter. In his Twitter presentation, Sean educated the class on the fundamental components of Twitter such as tweets, mentions, hash tags and social links.

Sean also educated the class on how the CVB ties together Facebook and Twitter. This message is expressed through five steps. These steps include crafting and publishing a message, sharing a message with an audience, discussing a message with an audience, reviewing and reporting efforts and repeating the process. When crafting an publishing a message it is important to provide evidence or factual information. This can be demonstrated through the usage of links to articles, photos or videos. The CVB publishes their message by sharing blogs. When sharing a message with an audience it is important that the message reaches the appropriate audience. Once the message reaches the targeted audience it is the responsibility of the organization to discuss the message with the audience.  These discussions may consist of answering questions and generating conversational topics to engage the audience. The next step in the five-step process is reviewing and reporting efforts. Sean demonstrated how to measure the return on an investment. Sean created a simple chart that described the impact of both Facebook and Twitter. The final step that Sean described was the repeat phase of the process.

Although Sean’s presentation was not necessarily educational, it was validation of how other organizations use social media to reach their intended audience. The five-step process contained within Sean’s presentation was simple, yet effective for any social media user to practice. Overall Sean’s presentation contained a wealth of knowledge that would benefit any social media user.

The Legacy Game  for the Bears men’s soccer team staged by a Missouri State management class and student organization, featured a variety of entertainment, including a student march into the stadium, a fun zone for families and children, and a pregame ceremonial salute, not to mention a 1-0 win by the Bears over conference rival Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

The evening’s excitement started at 3:30 p.m. when the Fun Zone opened, and early-arriving fans found it jam-packed with such elements as:

• Inflatable game attractions and a go-kart course facilitated by the Missouri State Army ROTC Bear Battalion

• Service vehicles from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, including the D.A.R.E sports car

• Horses from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department

• A Springfield Fire Department fire engine

• St. John’s Hospital ambulances

• The tailgate trailer of Missouri State’s construction management program, from which food and beverages were served to the Fun Zone attendees

Area youth soccer players were also big attractions during the evening, as they took part in pregame player walkouts with the Missouri State and SUIE players, as well as a halftime promotion.

Although the all time attendance record for the Men’s soccer team of 2,103 was not surpassed the Legacy Game brought a wealth of excitement, and experience to the Management class as well as the Springfield community. No other Legacy Game incorporated as much excitement or activities than this year. The 2011 Legacy game gathered $488 to donate to Code 3 Sertoma Club of Springfield.

Facebook:

Facebook allows you to show a future employer who you are and what your interests are, what you support (pages and so forth). This can ultimately allow the employer to see how well you would fit in their organization.

Twitter:

Twitter allows you to get a better understanding of the organization and their communications. Twitter will allow you to connect with the employees, the organization and the managers all on one platform.

LinkedIN:

LinkedIN is your professional networking site, which shows a potential employer a more in depth view of you accomplishments, recommendations and what/where you are currently.

The annual Legacy Game is a unique joint venture between Missouri State Athletics, the entertainment management academic program in Missouri State’s College of Business Administration, and a Missouri State student organization that was created to stage the annual marquee game.

This year, the Legacy Game will partner with the brand-new Code 3 Sertoma Club chapter of Springfield, whose purpose is to serve in any fundraising efforts and volunteerism to support local public safety/service personnel in need and other related causes.

A portion of the proceeds of ticket sales from this year’s event will be donated to the Code 3 Sertoma Club, whose initiatives will range from providing smoke detectors for hearing impaired citizens to aiding families of service workers killed in the line of duty.

In an effort to facilitate the fun, the Legacy Game has created a number of entertaining and inspiring aspects for the event, including:

•  A free pregame fun zone for families and children that will open at 4:00 p.m. and will feature many attractions and interactive exhibits
• A pregame march into the stadium for Missouri State students that will commence at 4:30 p.m.
• Pregame and halftime ceremonies that honor service personnel and feature Springfield-area youth league soccer teams

Please share the word and follow the Missouri State’s Living OUR Legacy game.

With much anticipation Apple users knew that the new iPhone release date was rapidly approaching. Apparently after 30 MILLION views this is what Apple enthusiasts were looking forward for their new iPhone. Ya right… everyone knew that this was a fictional video about the new iPhone. With all of the news about Apple’s new phone coming out and recently deceased CEO Steve Jobs, everyone wanted to be reassured that Apple would ultimately maintain its sature.

This is what we got.

Although what we got is not a touch digital projection screen from our mobile cellphone we are still pleased with the iPhone 4S. The 4S and its Siri is still a monumental step for any mobile device on the market. The laundry list of updates to the iPhone should make anyone with a cellphone a little envious. The new iPhone 4S is smarter, faster and is now available to the public.

Recently I was able to interview Jeff Schrag and Jeremy Wicks of the newest local brewery in the Ozarks, Mother’s Brewing Company. The interview was about the organization and up and coming event that they will be hosting. Their big event Oktober fest is what they are looking forward to the most. “We will have three live bands, local German food and a fun, safe, family friendly environment for all ages,” said Jeff Schrag. During the interview we also talked about the future of Mother’s and how they plan to expand their rapidly growing company.

Oktoberfest

Mother’s Brewing Company just wrapped up their second largest event in their recently short history. Mother’s first Oktoberfest in the Ozarks, which was held on October 15^th from 1:00p.m. until 7:00p.m., in Mother’s backyard. Oktoberfest was in Mother’s very own 2-acre backyard and hosted live local bands, local food and local friends. The bands that can be expected are the Ben Miller Band, Speakeasy and The Detectives. Oktoberfest in the Ozarks offered local foods ranging from brats and goulash to burgers and more. Attendees were able to drink all of Mother’s craft beers consisting of Towhead, Lil’ Helper, Three Blind Mice, brand new Mr. Pumpkin and old school Oktoberfest. Attendees were only $5.00 at the gate, and everyone 15 and under was free. Employees of Mother’s Brewery Company were dressed in their best Deutschland (German) outfits.

Whats next?

Mother’s next event is their Mother’s Loves Joplin on Oct. 19 all donations and proceeds will go to the Joplin Relief. Come out and enjoy Springfield’s local craft beer and good friends and supporting our neighbors.

 How would you define social media?

I would define social media as a tool that allows people to connect with each other via the internet.

 How has social media impacted education?

 I think that social media has impacted education in many ways. The use of blogs is a highly acceptable form of school communication nowadays. Also, many teachers are being educated online by the use of webinars. The access that teachers have now to share information and gain professional development while at their home or at school has been tremendously increased by the power of social media. Educators are very busy individuals who are always trying to find ways to save time, and through the use of social media they are given this opportunity.

How do you use social media in your classroom?

I personally use social media in the classroom by maintaining a classroom blog. I use my classroom blog to communicate with parents, as well as other teachers. Anything that a parent or colleague might be looking for about me or my classroom can be accessed through the use of my blog. I also use social media in my classroom by taking part in Skype interviews with authors and other individuals that we may be learning about in our classroom.

What are some of the benefits of using social media in education?

I feel that there are many benefits to using social media in education. However, new laws are prohibiting some of the usage of social media and education. Some prohibitions are the new Facebook laws that deny a teacher access to “friending” any student via Facebook or other social networking site. I know many teachers were using social networking sites as a way to communicate with students about upcoming quizzes or by taking polls, and providing homework help online. Now due to some laws, social media is limited in education. On the other hand, there are still many ways that educators can use social media in the classroom. I know many teachers who use a blog to communicate with parents and students on a daily basis. Also, teachers can use many different polling sites to have students respond to questions from their home, and the site automatically submits the grade the student receives. This form of social media can be a HUGE timesaver for teachers. The use of Skype in the classroom is also very beneficial because it allows students to connect with individuals in the real world without having to leave the classroom. Keep in mind, these are just a select few ways why social media is beneficial in education.

Would you suggest educators who are not using social media to start using it?

Yes, I would. I think that there are so many advantages to using social media in the classroom. Even if it weren’t for the time saving or the accessibility, social media provides a new, and innovative way to educate children.

Every chance that I get to attend a professional development conference, I take, especially when there is a conference in my hometown. I was fortunate enough to attend a local PRSA social media development conference a year ago here in Springfield. Prior to this conference I was familiar with social media and its workings, what I was not familiar with was its networking power. As the conference went on it was more and more apparent why social media is such a dominant force in the networking game. As each guest speaker took their turn explaining what social media was and how to use it, one speaker stood out from the rest. This speaker was not just describing what social media was or how to use it, he was educating the audience on how they can engage and network with people from all across the world. I took much away from this speaker because of how relevant his topic was to me at this time. I knew that if I wanted to truly apply what he taught us I would have to introduce myself to him personally. After our introduction we exchanged our online handles, and following Ben Smith and Social: IRL would quickly become a regimen in my daily social media consumption.

After the conference I didn’t waste anytime getting further acquainted with Ben and his business Social: In Real Life. After a few months of sharing content and talking with Ben via social media outlets Ben sent me a personal message on twitter asking if I would work with him on an event he was bringing to Springfield called Social: IRL Sarah Evans Social Marketing and Public Relations Boot Camp. Sarah a well renowned social media enthusiast was coming to Springfield to educate the community about social media, and I had the opportunity to attend and work with Ben and Sarah.

In the months that followed, Ben would ask again for me to attend and work a Social: IRL event this time in Kansas City. I wasted no time confirming with Ben, and I was off to Kansas City for yet another Social: IRL event. This event featured well-known author and social media enthusiast Jeremiah Owyang, the event was titled Social Business Summit and Strategy Workshop. This was not just your run of the mill social media workshop; this was a regional workshop for the large to small business owners. The attendees ranged from those with their own boutique to the executive officers of Garmin and AMC Theaters. After a full day of networking with professionals and exchanging contact information, my network was rapidly becoming more than just a “follow” or a “like.” I was was sharing content through social media and in real life which was establishing my own credibility.

Through my experiences I have learned that if you want to be heard you have to be transparent with your audience. If you invite them and share meaningful content that readily applies to them and their organization then they will eventually listen and engage with your content.  I have enjoyed extending my network and working with Ben and Social: IRL and I strongly recommend everyone who uses social media to follow them or your own influential enthusiast.