Understanding the POWER of Social Media

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WHY IS A CONVERSATION ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA IMPORTANT WHEN THINKING ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY?

Begin by watching this video:

http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/mnoble/2012/02/the-social-media-revolution-2012/

TASK ONE: Vocabulary

WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA?

·  Your Definition:

·  Dictionary Definition:

·  List 8 forms of social media:

WORDSOLVE: “Viral”

Dictionary Definition (relevant to Communications Technology) / Definition in Your Own Words / Example of How You Have Heard This Word Used in a Communication Technology Context
Dictionary Definition (NOT relevant to Communications Technology) / VIRAL / Example of How You Have Heard This Word Used in a Way That is NOT Relevant to Communications Technology
Make the Connection! Why has social media used the word “viral” to describe this phenomenon? / Example: Reference and/or link to something that you know of that has “gone viral”.

WHAT IS A MEME?

·  Definition of a meme:

·  Example of a meme:

TASK TWO: Harnessing the Power of Online Communities to Generate Change in the Real World

EXAMPLE: REDDIT & GREENPEACE

Watch the following video: http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/mnoble/2012/02/reddit-and-greenpeace/

1.  What social media site was focused on in this video?

2.  What did they do?

3.  What was the message/advice given at the end of the video?

EXAMPLE: USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO FIGHT INJUSTICE

Read the following article: http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/mnoble/2012/02/social-media-example-underground/

  1. How did the blogger use social media to draw attention to something he felt was unfair?
  2. How can we tell from the screen captures provided that many people visited his website?
  1. At the very end of the article, the author summarizes the “Age of Social Media.” In your own words, describe the age of social media as it is explained in the article.

TASK THREE: Focus on Protest

CHOOSE ONE TOPIC BELOW

1.  Arab Spring

2.  Occupy Movement

3.  Anonymous Protest of Scientology

RESEARCH & ANSWER QUESTIONS

(NOTE: searching your topic followed by social media should get you plenty of information)

a.  Identify what was being protested.

b.  Identify who was protesting.

c.  Identify how and what types of social media were used to support their cause.

d.  What does social media offer to protesters that older forms of protesting lack (petitions, sit ins, etc...)?

TASK FOUR: Social Media As It’s Seen Here

INTERVIEW

Interview a minimum of 4 people on the topic of social media. Video your interviews with permission from your interviewee. You will use these videos in your next task.

QUESTIONS

Ask each interviewee the following questions. You may add your own questions. You should read task five before doing the interviews.

1.  What is social media?

2.  What social media do you use?

3.  Why do you use social media?

4.  Do you think social media gives users power? In what ways?

5.  What are the dangers of social media?

TASK FIVE: Putting It All Together

DESIGN TASK

Create a video using windows moviemaker. Your video should be engaging, informative, and entertaining.

Your video needs to show the following:

·  What social media is

·  The scope of social media

·  The variety of ways social media is used

·  The power of social media

ALSO:

·  Include clips from your interviews

·  Use text overlay and sound

EVALUATION

TASK ONE

Definitions and word solve are complete and accurate. /10

(Outcome 1.1)

TASK TWO

Answers are complete and accurate. They show a depth of understanding. /10

(Outcome 1.1, 1.5)

TASK THREE

You were able to research to find the information requested. Your answers are complete and accurate. They demonstrate a depth of understanding and critical thinking. /10

(Outcome 1.1, 1.5)

TASK FOUR

Your 4 videos are complete. You have good production quality (stability, framing, sound). /8

(Outcome 1.4)

TASK FIVE

CONTENT
You have chosen accurate and relevant information to show the concept clearly and with depth.
(outcome 1.1, 1.4, 1.5) / Shows what social media is. / /3
Shows the scope of social media. / /3
Shows a variety of ways that social media is used. / /6
Shows the power of social media. / /8
VIDEO
You have used the functions of moviemaker to create a video that clearly presents your information about social media in a manner that is interesting and easy to understand. / Uses clips from interviews (6.3) / /2
Uses sound (6.2) / /2
Uses text (6.3) / /2
Designed to be engaging and informative (1.4) / /4