Study group in details
led by the AUB Online Collaborative, this study group ran for six weeks during our Spring 2012 term on Thursdays from 5:30 till 7:30 PM in the Jafet Library, Ghattas Electronic room
The AUB Online Collaborative, made up of regular AUB students, offered this study group on social media to our seniors. Read about their experience below:
Social Media through the eyes of the Seniors!
While users of all age groups flood to Facebook and other social networking and media destinations, the demographic growing the fastest is those age 50 and over.
As part of AUB's online collaborative team, we aim to group social media enthusiasts and experienced individuals in the digital media world to help promote proper digital citizenship among students through making the most of social media in the best ways possible. This time the promotion of the proper usage of social media was for a different kind of students, it was for the seniors registered in the University for Seniors (UfS).
AUB OC conducted 6 sessions starting from May 3rd till June 7 (5:30-7:30pm) in Jafet Electronic room. The UfS students were taught Facebook, twitter, blogs, the pros and cons of social media, and had a Q&A final session as revision.
I personally had a unique teaching experience for this different age group. At first, I was worried they wouldn’t accept from young people to teach them. And I was afraid that I’d lose my patience and give up on following up with their progress.
However, the interaction between AUB OC team and the seniors was very smooth, vivid and fun.
The only problematic part was the discordance in their levels. Some already have practiced Facebook, and were eager to know more about other tools. And some who barely knew about Facebook and thus took much time to learn.
Despite these challenges, we were able to reach the goals of the class. The enthusiasm of the seniors and their curiosity in learning more, as well as their humbleness in learning from a young group was the reason behind this success.
At the end of these sessions, I learnt a new perspective for social media regarding seniors and how they perceive the social media tools, giving me a deep insight that these tools should be used in moderation and alertness.
Loulwa Kalache, Staff Writer
AUB Online Collaborative
For more pictures on this study group, please (
Click here)