The first edition of the Journal of Social Media for Learning – Conference Special Edition has now been published. The #SocMedHE19 conference took place at Edge Hill University in December 2019 led by Dawne Bell and Sarah Wright. Presenters were invited to contribute papers to the inaugural edition of this new journal. The Chief Editor is Dawne Bell and she has done a terrific job bringing this together.

Submissions were accepted in all formats (papers, posters, presentations, opinion pieces, technical reports), including reflection pieces outlining changes in individual’s practice following the conference. This has meant that there has been a wonderful range of contributions. Having this opportunity to learn from others’ practice through the different papers is going to be of value to many educators and students.

The foreword states the journal’s ethos is centered around the creation of a supportive space where all colleagues, but particularly those new to publishing, can contribute to the scholarly discourse about their academic practice, and if they so wish, secure opportunities to gain experience of peer-review and journal editing.

JSML provides a space to capture the many approaches of using social media for learning. The journal seeks to be inclusive and encourages those new to research or publishing to share their work and ideas in a format that suits them best. The review process is supportive and aims to help contributors to gain confidence. This is an exciting publication that can only go from strength to strength.

You can access the full journal here: https://openjournals.ljmu.ac.uk/index.php/JSML

Research Papers

Social Media for Learning: Advancing Theoretical Frameworks to
Understand Complex Learning Environments.
Alison Hartley, Valerie Farnsworth and Helen Bradbury

Flipped Classroom and Case Studies Facilitated Using Social Media
to Enhance Learning In Higher Education.
Christie Siettou

Can Social Media Use Predict Intercultural Knowledge, Attitude and
Skills Among Generation Z? A snapshot from a Pre-Covid19 Era.
Sebah Al-Ali

Self-Regulation Strategies of Smartphone use During University
Self-Study.
Rebecca L Barron and Linda K. Kaye

Curation, Connections and Creativity: Reflections on Using Twitter
to Teach Digital Activism.
Paul J Reilly

Co-creating Learning Experiences with Students as Partners
Sue Beckingham

Escaping the Inactive Classroom: Escape Rooms for Teaching
Technology.
Rachelle Emily O’Brien and Scott Farrow

An Interactive Social Media Workshop Using Lego® Serious Play®.
Kiu Sum, Sue Beckingham, Suzanne Faulkner and Deborah Baff

A Student Approach to Using Educational Memes as an Outlet to
Enhance Learning.
Jennifer Louise Worswick Irving-Bell

Crossing Boundaries: Twitter and Online Communities of Practice
for Nursing Students.
Emma Grady and Michael Brian Haslam

How Virtual Communities of Practice via Social Media Might
Enhance Nurse Education.
Michael Brian Haslam

Online Legal Resources and Their Potential for Visual Learning
Inclusivity.
Conor Courtney

Problematising the use of Snapchat in Higher Education Teaching
and Learning.
Paul Fenn and Paul J Reilly

Dog Filters and Flower Crowns: Using Snapchat as a Pedagogical
Tool in Higher Education.
Gary W Kerr and Suzanne Faulkner

Collaborative Conference Reflections: A Visual Journey.
Dawne Irving-Bell and Sarah Wright

The journal is currently accepting abstracts from the community, including those from delegates and presenters from The Social Media for Learning in Higher Education Conference 2020.

The deadline for submission is 31st May 2021 and publication will be in the late summer 2021.