Sport Social Hub: Using the power of collaboration to develop hands-on social media competencies

Abstract

This paper introduces Sport Social Hub, a collaborative, multi-institutional social media exchange inspired by the Commission on Public Relations Education's (CPRE) emphasis on key knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in public relations education. Sport Social Hub engaged students from four universities in topical, sports-themed assignments. These assignments involved creating memes, analyzing historical and contemporary sports photographs, profiling industry professionals with infographics, and developing engagement contests. The paper outlines how Sport Social Hub addresses CPRE's recommended KSAs within social media, collaboration, and creative thinking. Utilizing social media platforms as pedagogical tools, Sport Social Hub aimed to enhance students' social media competencies, promote collaboration across institutions, and develop relationships in a virtual environment. The paper provides an overview of the assignments, each assignment’s objectives, and the connection to CPRE's Fast Forward report. Assessment and feedback mechanisms are explored, highlighting the positive impact on students' social media competencies, networking with industry professionals, and the sense of community fostered through online engagement. While acknowledging the limitations and challenges, the authors propose Sport Social Hub as a model for educators seeking to integrate collaborative, hands-on, and crowdsourced approaches in their pedagogy to prepare students for the evolving landscape of communication careers.