Sara Tinney
Topic 6: Community, Culture, and Media
This topic discusses the links between community, culture and media, linking the desire for a sense of belonging to the creation of communities with a shared culture (McMahan and Thompson, 2015, p. 231). This sense of community can be found, in some aspects, online. Adolescents who take part in community organizations and activities develop a sense of the common good and a collective identity (233). The benefits of participating in offline community activities could be realized by participating in online community activities as well. Adolescents spend upwards of 6 hours a day engaged with media of some form, so targeting this space as an opportunity for meaningful community activities is an efficient way to increase adolescent involvement (McMahan and Thompson, 2015, p. 250). Adolescents are already producing media; they are creating blogs, zines, videos, websites and other digital materials, so guiding them towards formats, communities, and projects that work towards a common good is a logical step (263).
References:
McMahan, I. & Thompson, S. (2015). Adolescence: Canadian Edition. Toronto: Pearson.
Resources:
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http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues/issues423.shtml
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http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1078/2077
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http://www.educationdive.com/directories/social-networks-and-resources-for-educators/
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http://www.educationdive.com/news/10-online-social-network-options-for-educators/27651/
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https://www.startupgrind.com/blog/5-high-school-entrepreneurs-to-watch-in-2016/
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http://www.erikaslighthouse.org/blog/social-media-teen-mental-health/
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/teens-using-social-media_n_3505564.html
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http://urbanmoms.ca/parenting/how-teens-are-using-social-media-to-do-good/
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http://mashable.com/2009/05/12/social-media-change-the-world/#SVlqI1JlgsqW
The videos above and to the right of this box all discuss how social media can be a positive force in the world. With so many people plugged in and logged on, the possible connections are endless. However, the old saying, with great power comes great responsibility (and I believe great risk), still applies. The effects of such a powerful and popular force depend on how people are making use of it, and on the purpose of their use.
The video to the right of this box presents an interesting perspective on technology and the ways in which it affects our lives. Whi;e this video is very one-sided, it does present an important message. Put down your technology and LOOK UP! While technology and social media can be powerful tools, they cannot replace our real lives. Interacting and participating in the real world are important, and technology should supplement or support our real lives, not replace them.
The video to the left of this box discusses how one person, one family, can make a huge difference in the lives of others. The presenter describes how social media can be used to change a families life. Social media provides us with a platform to interact with, assist, and support others from around the world.
The video to the left of this box presents a similar message as the previous video. Put down the technology and participate in life. Being present in our real lives should take precedence over creating virtual ones. Sure social media and other technological tools can improve out lives in a variety of ways, but if the technology becomes our real life, then we are lost.