Are you ready to dive into the depths of the internet? Join us as a responsible junior web researcher and uncover the mysteries of online communities and the influencer economy! Transform your discoveries into captivating infographics using Design Thinking principles. Collaborate with peers and external partners, like the European Influencers Academy (visit https://europeaninfluencersacademy.com/), to tackle real-world challenges using cutting-edge digital tools. Feed your curiosity by exploring topics that fascinates you. Stand out in the job market: Employers now prioritize candidates who master essential digital skills for effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation. Make the world wide web a better place!

 

Structure of the minor

The minor combines opportunities for an individual project as well as teamwork, under the guidance of researchers and experts linked to the Professorship of Organizations and Social Media. During the first weeks of the semester, you will join a multidisciplinary team of students who are eager to learn more about interaction in online communities. Through a mix of discussions, workshops, lectures and self-study activities, you will learn how to design, plan and carry out web research. Additionally, you will learn the basics of information design (such as infographics), allowing you to turn your findings into engaging and educational media content.

During the second half of the semester, you will shift your focus towards an individual project related to your own interests. From filter bubbles to netiquette; from digital detox to online disinformation. It’s your choice, as long as it relates to social media communication. This approach will allow you to become a responsible junior internet researcher and information designer who is able to make an impact on business and society. Your research findings and media content will support citizens and organizations in the Frisian region as well as on an international level to communicate meaningfully and responsibly with their stakeholders.

The minor has three main learning outcomes: web research (12 ECTS), information design (12 ECTS) and reflective mindset (6 ECTS). You will develop knowledge and skills related to all three learning outcomes at the same time throughout the semester.

Our teaching concept is called Design Based Education (DBE). It has five coherent facets that reinforce each other:

• Multidisciplinary collaboration: The student collaborates with others constructively to find solutions for complex real-life issues.
• International and intercultural: The student develops into a global citizen and feels at home in an international context.
• Design Thinking: The student develops into an inventive professional who investigates real-life issues in an iterative way in order to find meaningful and innovative solutions.
• Personal leadership: The student is proactive and continues to develop and adapt to changing circumstances based on a highly developed professional identity and own (moral) compass.
• Sustainable education: The student develops into a self-learning and responsible professional who has respect for others, other cultures and views.

We do not work with readers or compulsory literature. Instead, we encourage you to start using open access software to organize, annotate, cite, and share academic literature on the topics covered during the minor. The NHL Stenden library offers a variety of services that support the development of information literacy. You will also meet and learn from passionate experts who strive to make the internet a better place through collaborative web research and the development of creative output & solutions.

We welcome any student who is interested in gaining a better understanding of the influence of communication in online communities in business as well as in society. We strongly believe that digital citizenship develops and flourishes through participating in multidisciplinary projects with students from various backgrounds (e.g. management, creative business, communication, journalism, political or social studies, ICT and education). Although there are no specific requirements for taking part in this minor, an English proficiency level of B2 (CEFR) or more, and experience in conducting research, will increase the chances of success. 

Teaching days are Monday till Thursday.

Assessment

The learning outcomes web research (12 ECTS) and information design (12 ECTS) will be assessed through an individual assessment interview on the basis of a portfolio containing a selection of professional products (or prototypes). Products may include typical research deliverables as well as more creative products such as infographics, basic explainer videos or how-to’s that build upon your research findings. The learning outcome reflective mindset will be assessed through a personal (online) journal providing insight into your own learning.