The Importance of Digital Storytelling Through Social Media

Digital storytelling through social media is increasingly becoming an essential component of outreach for organizations and businesses. It’s especially important in higher education.

  • Informing. It’s how we inform the public and those within our institution about the work we do.
  • Hiring. It’s how we get the attention and interest of potential staff and instructors seeking employment.
  • Recruiting. It’s how we reach prospective students.
  • Fundraising. It’s how we inspire alumni and others from the community to give.
  • Motivating. It’s how we inspire ourselves to be encouraged about the work we do.
  • Documenting. It’s how we journal our experiences to create a collective institutional memory and history. These stories can document the what and how of processes.
  • Educating. In addition to telling stories, we can share about the process. This becomes an educational, transparent, and open-source way of equipping others to tell their stories.

Below are some photos from recent work I’ve been doing in the area of digital storytelling, and sharing the behind the scenes experiences of how we’re documenting our work — what technology and process is used.

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Michael O’Hara (center). Greg Johnson (behind camera at left). Developing an informational video for the Marcé Society.
Neema Loy shares about her @FulbrightPrgrm experience @UIOWA teaching ‪#‎Swahili‬ with the @DWLLC_UIOWA
Neema Loy shares about her @FulbrightPrgrm experience @UIOWA teaching ‪#‎Swahili‬ with the @DWLLC_UIOWA

Radio Interview with Asa Crowe on the KRUI Poli-Tech Tuesday Show

I had the pleasure to be a guest on the Poli-Tech Tuesday show on KRUI with Asa Crowe and Arianna Chronis. In about 30 minutes, we covered technology on campus and a lot of other topics. The interview is available below. Click the play button to listen.

About the Interview

I was a sophomore at the University of Iowa when KRUI was launched. As IOWA alumni, it was meaningful to be at the station today during the weeks leading up to their 30-year anniversary celebration.

It was nice to have a chance to visit with Asa about the various technology resources available on campus. Here are some of the topics we discussed during the interview, and links to further reading:

  • Flipping the Classroom – We discussed the approach to instruction that involves delivering lectures and course content online outside of class time and focusing class time on interactive, participatory, and engaging learning activities.
  • GarageBand – An Apple program for multitrack recording and music composition on desktop computers or iOS touch interface devices (iPhone, iPod, iPad).
  • ITS Help Desk – The central source on campus where you can get support for all things tech.
  • Language Media Center – A computer and technology lab on campus for language learning and media services. The LMC is part of the Division of World Languages, Literatures & Cultures.
  • Lynda.UIOWA.edu – Over 100,000 video tutorials on topics such as: Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), Microsoft Windows and Mac OS, Adobe Suite (Acrobat, Photoshop, etc.), Apple products (iPad, iPhone, etc.), Web and mobile app design, Development and Programming, Google Products, Time management, running effective meetings, and Business skills (leadership and manager fundamentals, etc.).
  • Online Education @UIOWA – The University of Iowa offers Distance Education and online learning opportunities. This is explained on the Continuing Ed website as follows: “Online. On campus. On location. This phrase describes what Continuing Education at Iowa stands for: providing access to a nationally-ranked public institution to as many people as possible. In addition to where you take your course, there are a variety of ways the course is delivered. Many distance courses use the Internet to deliver course work to your desktop. Some distance degree programs or courses are offered on-location, such as Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, the Quad Cities, Sioux City, and Iowa Lakeside Laboratory in northwest Iowa. While still others are offered at the Iowa City campus, many at nontraditional times. Distance courses vary in delivery format and are supported with various technologies. Some are structured so you can complete them at a time that is most convenient for you (like our Guided Independent Study courses), while others provide a more specific set of deadlines and opportunities to collaborate with classmates.” [Facebook]
  • Stanford Open University – An example of higher education courses and reading materials made openly available to the public.
  • Tech Connection – The University of Iowa Bookstore computer center and authorized Apple repair center. [Facebook]
  • Two Koreas: Political Economy and Regional Rivalry – A course being delivered collaboratively by the University of Iowa, Ohio State University, and the University of Michigan. This is a CourseShare course offered by the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC).
  • UI Capture – The University of Iowa lecture capture system that provides recordings of the audio, PowerPoint presentations, and other content from class lectures.
  • University of Iowa Photography Club – The UIPC has over 500 members on their Facebook Group page. Their organization page is just over 260 likes. The club offers various opportunities to meet other photographers, participate in photography events, and learn at workshops and presentations. The Iowa City Photographers Guild is another local photography group.

Music

Below is a video sample of my music and photography. The song is “Arpeggio Rising.” The photos are from 28 days in India. More of my music is available on ReverbNation and SoundCloud.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQbLbdAFPWE]

Thanks For Sharing

I appreciate the interest everyone has had in this story, and those who have shared this post on Facebook and elsewhere. The maps below show recent visitors to this page. Click any map image for a larger gallery view.


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Photos From May 24-30

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Featured Photos

Below are some favorite photos that I’ve taken recently. I have a few cameras I use regularly: iPhone 5SSony DSC-HX50V, and the Canon EOS Rebel T2i. Most of my iPhone 5S photos are like concept photos that are okay for web use or smaller prints. Yet, they can’t be enlarged without becoming fuzzy. The Sony and Canon photos are of higher quality.

Open Use License – Expanded

If you’re a member of the University of Iowa, feel free to use any of these photos for UI-related promotions or other UI-related work. I’m joining with other photographers in the area to make high quality photos available for non-profit use as an in-kind donation. This saves costly license fees. I’ve recently expanded the open use license to include all government and non-profit organizations. Check with me if you have questions or to about obtain high resolution images. ~ Greg

View the Gallery

Click any image below for a larger gallery view.

Photos From May 17-23

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Featured Photos

Below are some favorite photos that I’ve taken recently. I have a few cameras I use regularly: iPhone 5SSony DSC-HX50V, and the Canon EOS Rebel T2i. Most of my iPhone 5S photos are like concept photos that are okay for web use or smaller prints. Yet, they can’t be enlarged without becoming fuzzy. The Sony and Canon photos are of higher quality.

Open Use License – Expanded

If you’re a member of the University of Iowa, feel free to use any of these photos for UI-related promotions or other UI-related work. I’m joining with other photographers in the area to make high quality photos available for non-profit use as an in-kind donation. This saves costly license fees. I’ve recently expanded the open use license to include all government and non-profit organizations. Check with me if you have questions or to about obtain high resolution images. ~ Greg

View the Gallery

Click any image below for a larger gallery view.

Photos From May 10-16

20140310mo-greg-johnson-photography-featured-photos-640x300

Featured Photos

Below are some favorite photos that I’ve taken recently. I have a few cameras I use regularly: iPhone 5SSony DSC-HX50V, and the Canon EOS Rebel T2i. Most of my iPhone 5S photos are like concept photos that are okay for web use or smaller prints. Yet, they can’t be enlarged without becoming fuzzy. The Sony and Canon photos are of higher quality.

Open Use License – Expanded

If you’re a member of the University of Iowa, feel free to use any of these photos for UI-related promotions or other UI-related work. I’m joining with other photographers in the area to make high quality photos available for non-profit use as an in-kind donation. This saves costly license fees. I’ve recently expanded the open use license to include all government and non-profit organizations. Check with me if you have questions or to about obtain high resolution images. ~ Greg

View the Gallery

Click any image below for a larger gallery view.

Photos From May 1-9

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Featured Photos

Below are some favorite photos from the past few weeks. I have a few cameras I use regularly: iPhone 5SSony DSC-HX50V, and the Canon EOS Rebel T2i. Most of my iPhone 5S photos are like concept photos that are okay for web use or smaller prints. Yet, they can’t be enlarged without becoming fuzzy. The Sony and Canon photos are of higher quality.

Open Use License for UIOWA

If you’re a member of the University of Iowa, feel free to use any of these photos for UI-related promotions or other UI-related work. I’m joining with other photographers in the area to make high quality photos available for non-profit use as an in-kind donation. This saves costly license fees. ~ Greg

View the Gallery

Click any image below for a larger gallery view.

Photos From April 23 – April 30

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Featured Photos

Below are some favorite photos from the past few weeks. These were taken with my iPhone 5S and also with my Sony DSC-HX50V. Most of my iPhone 5S photos are okay for web use or smaller prints. Some are concept photos. Yet, they can’t be enlarged without becoming fuzzy. The Sony DSC-HX50V photos are of higher quality.

Open Use License for UIOWA

If you’re a member of the University of Iowa, feel free to use any of these photos for UI-related promotions or other UI-related work. I’m joining with other photographers in the area to make high quality photos available for non-profit use as an in-kind donation. This saves costly license fees. ~ Greg

View the Gallery

Click any image below for a larger gallery view.

Photos From March 30 – April 22

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Featured Photos

Below are some favorite photos from the past few weeks. These were taken with my iPhone 5S and also with my Sony DSC-HX50V. Most of my iPhone 5S photos are okay for web use or smaller prints. Some are concept photos. Yet, they can’t be enlarged without becoming fuzzy. The Sony DSC-HX50V photos are of higher quality.

Open Use License for UIOWA

If you’re a member of the University of Iowa, feel free to use any of these photos for UI-related promotions or other UI-related work. I’m joining with other photographers in the area to make high quality photos available for non-profit use as an in-kind donation. This saves costly license fees. ~ Greg

View the Gallery

Click any image below for a larger gallery view.

Photos From March 10 – 29

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Weekly Photos

Each week I download the camera roll of photos from my iPhone 5s to my computer to make a backup of my pictures from the previous week. Below are some selected favorites from the past few weeks.

Better Quality Photos Coming

With nicer weather, I may try to start carrying my nicer DSLR Canon T2i camera so my photos could be used for larger online and print media. Most of my iPhone 5s photos are okay for web use in their original size, or useful as concept photos, but can’t be enlarged without becoming fuzzy.

Open Use License for UIOWA

If you’re a member of the University of Iowa, feel free to use any of these photos for UI-related promotions or other UI-related work. I’m joining with other photographers in the area to make high quality photos available for non-profit use as an in-kind donation. This saves costly license fees. ~ Greg

View the Gallery

Click any image below for a larger gallery view.