We were asked in class on Thursday to come up with a definition for Social Media Literacy. The word literacy, quite simply and in my opinion, means the ability to read and write. The ability to read and write demonstrates at least some understanding of the written language, however small that might be. Based on that premise, it seems there ought to be a simple definition for social media literacy.
Here’s what I came up with:
Social Media Literacy - The ability to compose and send an e-mail.
Maybe that’s a bad definition and overly simplistic. But here’s why I came up with that: Essentially, any person who wants to communicate via media, whether on a computer by e-mail, on Facebook, Twitter, or on a cell phone, needs to have the ability to turn the computer or device on, click a mouse, press a button, and use a keyboard (without assistance). Furthermore, they need to possess the ability to read and write (be literate). This is not rocket science. Sending an e-mail doesn’t require a person to be a computer programmer. The Social Media Literate person demonstrates the ability to communicate on a computer or other technological device.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Class Reflections I
Many of the things we talked about in class on Thursday were new to me. Phrases such as cloud commuting, media convergence, server farms or web credibility I had never heard of before. Most of the web pages the professor and other students referred to I had never heard of either.
It is amazing to me how much information and social media websites are available. Who has time to keep up with all this stuff? I thought the statistics regarding how many hours the average young person spends using entertainment media was sad. Yet, when I look at my own life, much of my time is spent utilizing some form of entertainment media. I spend a lot of time on the computer at work, communicating via e-mail and utilizing software of some sort. I go to movies with my sister. I get together with friends to watch the football game on a TV. I talk on my cell phone in the car and sometimes send text message while sitting on the toilet. I spend a lot of time on the computer at home. Often, a DVD is playing on the computer in my room while I’m falling asleep.
I’m just old enough to remember when our lives were not dominated by some form of technology. We had to wait till we got home to check our voice messages and receive and return phone calls. We wrote letters. When I look through my box or binder of important memories, not one of them is an e-mail. I have cards and letters from family and friends that are meaningful to me because someone took the time to think of me and write thoughtful words.
I guess that’s one of my concerns as we charge ahead into the social media driven future, that we lose touch with the simple things of life and that the power of the written word is cheapened. In our efforts to make things more efficient sometimes I think we make it more complicated. I’m definitely guilty of that myself.
All that said, the possibilities of media technology are definitely exciting. I think it is the wise person who takes advantage of what it has to offer. In the world of Journalism, or, really, any profession, we have to think this way because that’s the way the world is. And, despite my concerns, technology as brought a lot of good into the world. It simply needs to be redeemed and used wisely for good purposes.
It is amazing to me how much information and social media websites are available. Who has time to keep up with all this stuff? I thought the statistics regarding how many hours the average young person spends using entertainment media was sad. Yet, when I look at my own life, much of my time is spent utilizing some form of entertainment media. I spend a lot of time on the computer at work, communicating via e-mail and utilizing software of some sort. I go to movies with my sister. I get together with friends to watch the football game on a TV. I talk on my cell phone in the car and sometimes send text message while sitting on the toilet. I spend a lot of time on the computer at home. Often, a DVD is playing on the computer in my room while I’m falling asleep.
I’m just old enough to remember when our lives were not dominated by some form of technology. We had to wait till we got home to check our voice messages and receive and return phone calls. We wrote letters. When I look through my box or binder of important memories, not one of them is an e-mail. I have cards and letters from family and friends that are meaningful to me because someone took the time to think of me and write thoughtful words.
I guess that’s one of my concerns as we charge ahead into the social media driven future, that we lose touch with the simple things of life and that the power of the written word is cheapened. In our efforts to make things more efficient sometimes I think we make it more complicated. I’m definitely guilty of that myself.
All that said, the possibilities of media technology are definitely exciting. I think it is the wise person who takes advantage of what it has to offer. In the world of Journalism, or, really, any profession, we have to think this way because that’s the way the world is. And, despite my concerns, technology as brought a lot of good into the world. It simply needs to be redeemed and used wisely for good purposes.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
1st Semester of Grad School
The Spring of 2010 is my first semester in grad school. I am pursuing a Master's Degree in Journalism. One of my first courses is New Technologies of Mass Communications (JOUR 5320). I have to admit I'm a little apprehension about going back to school and taking this course. I'm not entirely sure what I expect. I’ve been out of school for about 6 years and I do not have a background in journalism.
That said, the reason I signed up for this course is because it was offered downtown Dallas, which is closer to where I work and live than Denton. I also know it is important, in today's society, to be up to speed on technology as it relates to any chosen profession, and especially in the field of journalism. My understanding is the world of journalism is changing quite a bit due to on-line and digital technology. Though print media is still important, and in some way I believe it always will be, more and more people are reading the news on-line. So, hopefully this course will help me have a better and more thorough understanding of how technology is used for mass communication and help me find a niche in this field that will be enjoyable, as well as profitable, for me. It would also be nice to learn about the various software that is used for creating digital/on-line communication.
The more our society advances technologically the faster we are able to receive news and communication. There are good things and bad things about this, I think. But the underlining principles of journalism remain the same, reporting news accurately, fairly, truthfully, with integrity. Technology is constantly changing, but there are certain principles that will never change. I believe I can be part of a generation that grasps both the technological opportunities but also remains grounded in the basic principles of integrity.
Writing is a vital aspect of communication, and something I enjoy. The world will always have need for good writers and clear communicators. I hope that my writing can be used to help and encourage others. And, in order to communicate what I desire to say, I hope I will be able to utilize the various aspects of technology made available to me. And finally, as a Christian, I think it is important for Christians to have a clear voice in society and in journalism.
That said, the reason I signed up for this course is because it was offered downtown Dallas, which is closer to where I work and live than Denton. I also know it is important, in today's society, to be up to speed on technology as it relates to any chosen profession, and especially in the field of journalism. My understanding is the world of journalism is changing quite a bit due to on-line and digital technology. Though print media is still important, and in some way I believe it always will be, more and more people are reading the news on-line. So, hopefully this course will help me have a better and more thorough understanding of how technology is used for mass communication and help me find a niche in this field that will be enjoyable, as well as profitable, for me. It would also be nice to learn about the various software that is used for creating digital/on-line communication.
The more our society advances technologically the faster we are able to receive news and communication. There are good things and bad things about this, I think. But the underlining principles of journalism remain the same, reporting news accurately, fairly, truthfully, with integrity. Technology is constantly changing, but there are certain principles that will never change. I believe I can be part of a generation that grasps both the technological opportunities but also remains grounded in the basic principles of integrity.
Writing is a vital aspect of communication, and something I enjoy. The world will always have need for good writers and clear communicators. I hope that my writing can be used to help and encourage others. And, in order to communicate what I desire to say, I hope I will be able to utilize the various aspects of technology made available to me. And finally, as a Christian, I think it is important for Christians to have a clear voice in society and in journalism.
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