The Connected U is for academic staff and students and promotes the value of having, developing and maintaining an online professional profile .

The project was developed for the Higher Education Academy and focused on the importance of establishing an online profile in LinkedIn. It produced materials to support the use of LinkedIn – a familiar social media platform already used by many staff, alumni, employers and students. Further information can be found in the About the Project document: About the Connected U

The current and ongoing development work has two dimensions,

• develop Personal & Professional Development Planning for students at Sheffield Hallam University;
• develop good practice in using e-Portfolios including a social media ‘digital toolbox’ approach.

Rationale

Establishing, developing and maintaining a professional profile

• for students situates learning in the context of their future;
• for academic staff it provides a focus for remaining in good professional standing.

This site offers a toolkit of resources to support the effective use of LinkedIn by staff and students made up of artefacts in multiple media, including:

• Video ‘talking heads’ of employers describing how they scrutinise LinkedIn profiles, and other social media, as part of their recruitment strategies;
• Short video case studies featuring alumni and how they understand the importance of social media in relation to getting a job;
• Case studies from students and advisors describing their use of LinkedIn and how this has helped them, especially in becoming confident, networked professionals;
• Leading academics talking about the importance of maintaining a professional network.

Articles on how developing a professional online presence relates to learning and to academic professional recognition are also available

Further information about the project is in this About the Project document: About the Connected U