
4GPEMPOSTGRADS facilitates the tran-
4G PEMPO STGRADS: THE CHALLENG E OF
sition process for Postgraduate Coursework
ESTABLISHI NG AN O NLI NE CO MMNUNITY
students & provides an online space for pro-
OF PRACTICE FO R TI ME -POO R POSTGRAD
COURSEW ORK STUDENTS
fessional & non-academic networking

4GPEMPOSTGRADS was established in
2010 following an evaluation of available
4GPEMPOSTGRADS was
established in May 2010 using
the Ning platform. The network
has been evaluated using Google
analytics (tracking of members’
activity) & periodical surveys. An action research approach has been
adopted whereby data from the ongoing assessment is fed back into the
moderation and development loop to improve the outcomes.
platforms & adopts a risk assessment approach to establishing a social media presence.

4GPEMPOSTGRADS is opt-in via an invitation link; has a clear invitation email
explaining the purpose and code of practice
to start & continue discussions outside class with
“ It is a good platform
students & staff from other disciplines
”
for use.
4GPEMPOSTGRADS is the first initiative of its kind for The
University of Queensland. Our experience indicates that whilst the idea
& intention of an online community of practice are highly valued in
theory by students and staff, it is much more difficult to achieve in
practice.
Our Postgraduate Coursework students have at the most three semesters
of study & are time poor. Students demonstrate an initial burst of
enthusiasm when they begin their studies driven by the need for social
connection during transition but this quickly diminishes when initial
needs have been addressed and academic pressures and time
management issues take over.
For more information
Faculty of Science
  
Email: [email protected]
School of Geography, Planning and
Environmental Management
The University of Queensland
Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
The 4GPEMPOSTGRADS network has been evaluated using Google analytics (quantitative tracking
of members’ activity) and periodical member surveys (qualitative feedback on the value of the
network and suggestions for improvement). An action research approach has been adopted whereby
data from the ongoing assessment is fed back into the moderation and development loop to improve
the outcomes.
Google analytics & survey data to date indicate that:
• Highest visit numbers are at the beginning of each semester as commencing students join and
seek information and connections with peers and the school community.
• Visit rates peak following input from the network creator/moderator.
• Engagement with 4GPEMPOSTGRADS flat-lines by mid semester and declines towards the
end of semester.
• Members are mainly accessing the Home page, profiles and events.
• Networking activity is rare and mainly instigated by the moderator.
• Members find the broadcast messages, RSS news feeds & events features most useful.
• Lurking activity is more prevalent (e.g. viewing others’ posts) than posting activity!
• Most members only access the site once a month, with time listed as the most limiting factor.
• Members find the Ning platform tools more difficult to navigate & use than other social
media platforms.
• Members like the idea and intention of 4GPEMPOSTGRADS but its effectiveness is
hampered by the lack of members and/or lack of other members’ activity!
The evaluation has highlighted some benefits as well as a number of challenges. Whilst the
4GPEMPOSTGRADS site provides cost effective way to supplement information dissemination
across PGCW cohort there remain many challenges to student engagement using the online/ social
network mode:
• 4GPEMPOSTGRADS is used primarily as an information access point rather than a
networking tool
• The pattern of engagement with 4GPEMPOSTGRADS is driven by moderator input and the
transition needs of members
With this in mind a number of recommendations have been proposed to improve engagement:
• extending invitations to academic staff and external stakeholders
• emphasising the use of 4GPEMPOSTGRADS during the orientation program
• guidance on how to use the site effectively e.g. video
• implementing Ning’s Facebook and Twitter integration features
• a branded e-news template for regular broadcast mail
We continue to work on the initiative in an action –research mode and continuously implement
modifications to improve sustained student (and staff) engagement. However the overwhelming
lesson is that there is a need to modify the expectations of the initiative in terms of sustained
networking engagement outcomes and recognise the needs of the members and the phases of activity
to judge the success of the initiative.