We will be starting classes this week (actually, we were supposed to do so today, but they were cancelled due to the polar voltex hitting the Midwest).

I am amazed it has been five months since I got Google Glass – it’s been wonderful to be part of the community and learn and grow with Glass. From sharing the experience with friends and students to showcasing them at conferences and presentations, it’s been a wonderful experience for me.

When I came back to Louisville, I was greeted with a nice card from Glass for the new year. With all of the wonderful technologies out there, there’s nothing like a traditional card to make someone smile. 🙂 Thanks, Glass!

With this in mind, like last semester, I will be using Google Glass again in my social media class (#Freberg14). What is new this semester is the fact I have created an assignment for the class to do involving Glass. I experimented with Glass with my class last year and did several presentations on it for other classes, and I realized that there were certain things I think would be good for the students to have experienced in with Glass.

We are going to have several lectures on Glass and other wearable technologies that impact strategic communications and social media along with a few guest speakers who have Glass.

When I was trying to do my research, it was hard to find professors who have incorporated Glass (or would be willing to share what they are doing) for their classes. William Ward has really set the stage in this area with Glass for his students at Syracuse University. Here’s what he did – pretty cool if I say so myself! 🙂

So, what am I going to have the students do with Glass? Well, I have uploaded the assignment to Slideshare and would love to hear what you all think about this. Since Glass (and other wearable technologies) are still in the early stages of development as well as adaptation, it is key to spark the creativity and strategic mindset for the students to think about how this technology could be applied.

So, that’s why I decided to have them create a strategic brief on how they would use Glass for 1) a local business in Louisville or 2) propose this idea to their client for the semester (the final project is a social media campaign proposal for a real client).

In summary, I think what’s key whenever you have a new tool or platform is to provide students with essential skills that are based on fundamental skills PR and other associated communication professions are looking for. Creativity, strategic innovation, articulating these ideas both in written and verbal format, and presenting these ideas confidently are all elements I think are key for young professionals to have today to be marketable.

I would be interested in hearing what other professors with Glass are doing for their assignments and if you all have any feedback/suggestion on my assignment. Here’s to a great semester!

Have a fabulous day, everyone!

Best Wishes,
Karen