Bringing Social Media to the Classroom - No Matter what Your Major is.

Social Media and Social Innovation becoming part of a Curriculum on Prezi

Bringing social media sites and tools to the classroom, I feel, is extremely important. Social media strategies are used by people, companies, non-profits, campuses ,anything! Anyone and everyone can use this wonderful tool. It is necessary to understand what 'social media' actually is, but most importantly - how to use it. It is like a new gadget - it seems confusing at first, and you get annoyed with it at times, but at the end of the day, you do not know how you survived without it.

One thing I mentioned in the Prezi that I want to bring attention to, is the idea of starting a 'Social Innovation' major. That does not seem too far off; it is like the cousin to the Communications major. The possibilities are endless - the class can teach the philosophy of Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS shoes, who helps children in third world countries receive shoes, and he is a business man making a profit. Gone are the days where non-profit meant you had to choose between food or paying your rent.

Social media is not going anywhere, anytime soon, and the more people who are educated on this matter, the greater it can become.

Social Media - Let's Get Connected

Social Media: Web-based technology makes communication between people fast and efficient. It is a great new tool, and one that everyone needs to get to know.
It is unlike an iPod, or new lap top, where money is needed to enjoy such an object. People can connect with their friends, family, favorite hobbies and passions, all for the low price of free. However, it is often misconstrued as simply telling the world you ate cereal for dinner. The endless connections to be had with the world in, up to now, record timing, are endless.

15 years ago, prior to the Facebook, blogging and Twitter era we know today, if someone's hobby was knitting, and they knit a knew piece of clothing every week, they would purchase a knitting book, and possibly show their creations to their friends and familiy. Now, you can follow other people's interesting knitting techniques, create your own blog and post photos to share with other knitting-enthusiasts, and 'like' knitting on Facebook. Once you find people who enjoy your passion (even if they are on the other side of the world), you have made a connection with someone who shares your love and passion. Social media is a tool allowing people to make connections with other people, no matter where they live.

People use social media to obtain information, education, news and anything else that interests them. Having a web presence is vital to stay in the 'know', and to bring attention and awareness for a company or a non-profit organization.

For example,



This website is a comprehension for non-profit news and information. What is interesting about this specific group is that they have a choice between social media and ordering a magazine.



But what is great about this organization is that they have a wonderful web presence, an option to receive a hard-copy of their news, and a way for their supports to follow them utilizing social media outlets.



The information for The Nonprofit Quarterly is available for their followers anytime of the day, with current information provided faster than their magazine can relay.

Through these social media outlets, people who connect with something you enjoy can see what you’re doing, what you’ve been up to , become more attached to your cause, as well as feel a great sense of unity and closeness with the your organization and the people who follow the same interests.

A Delicious Cup of Positivity

www.cupofpositivity.wordpress.com

My positivity blog is up and running! You can also follow it on twitter at 'cupofpositivity'

Enjoy, and let me know what you think! And of course, I hope you find a connection with it!

Ahh Real Monsters! For a Great Cause

Aidan, a 5 year old boy, is drawing pictures of monsters and selling them in order to help for his chemo. He was diagnosed before he was born, and his family has been in medical constraints ever since. Therefore, he draws the cutest pictures of monsters in order to help pay for his medical expenses - mostly the chemotherapy. Another moving and very heartfelt way of using Social Media! Let's all help Aidan get better.

Follow him:

Blog - http://aidforaidan.wordpress.com/
Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/aidansmonsters
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aid-for-Aidan/168065143207856?v=wall

Resume!

Civic Engagement

Marissa, the author and creator of the blog Food in Jars, talked to our class, along with another Food Writering class, to discuss the importance of writing online - focusing on blogs. She made some very interesting points about engaging with people online, and how someone can form their own reputation online, focusing on their favorite hobby or past time.

A lot of what Marissa was talking about was relevant to the project Chris and I are working on - the restaurant Avril. Christian, the owner of Avril, needs a little.. okay a lot.. of help with his social media. Starting with a Facebook. Although it is shocking as to how social media - something so simple such as creating a fan page for your company on Facebook as well as a Twitter account can improve the company, it must be done.



As Clara Shih explains in her book, The Facebook Era, "However, most people wouldn't feel entirely comfortable calling the list of contacts in their phone book. Fortunately, as we talked about in the previous chapter, online social networks have created a new set of interaction modes and relationship types, such as Facebook friends and Linkedin connections, that make it less invasive, more comfortable, and easier to ask favors of your network" (72). Christian may feel uncomfortable going through his phone book, calling his friends and telling them about his 'upcoming deals' for his restaurant. That is exactly where Facebook and other social media outlets come into play. Shih's novel explains the importance, as well as vital ways, to incorporate Facebook and other Social Media aspects into personal life as well as into a company.

Social Entrepreneurship

The book, Social Entrepreneurship written by David Bornstein and Susan Davis, makes crucial points about the evolution of social entrepreneurship. The first being the 'personality' of a social entrepreneur: one must have a passionate interest in simple questions, such as why can't we extend loans to villagers? and the like. The second must be to question one's society, such as the way inner city schools teach, and why they do. The third is to have a persistent outlook and determination to go to the source (such as the villages or inner city schools) and gain an understanding of the problems at hand(78).

However, the question of 'How can I make money being a social entrepreneur' still exists, and the perfect solution would be a company like TOMS Shoes. Blake Mycoskie, the owner and founder of TOMS Shoes, is the perfect example of a business that makes a profit, as well as helps those in need. If anyone has a personal interest and wants to help others, form a business around that idea, and put food on the table - that dream is more of a reality, especially in this generation - Generation Y.

"Philanthropists could use their influence with universities to encourage education and research focused on social entrepreneurship" (112). Colleges, as well as high schools, can have an underlying focus on helping others and forming a business plan as well. Making the world become aware of a problem is best done when it is in their face - such as when someone sees their classmate wearing a pair of TOMS Shoes, or wearing a Charity:Water t-shirt (http://www.charitywater.org/shop/) can make a huge difference.

TOMS shoes Prezi

TOMS shoes on Prezi

Learning about TOMS Shoes was not only interesting, but inspiring. I personally worked on who the company is upsetting, as well as who they are leading. It seems weird to say that some people are not happy with TOMS Shoes, however, some believe that instead of someone buying a pair of shoes to help the people in the impoverished countries, they wear them as a fashion statement that says "Look at me - I'm a good person." Although there can be some truth to this, nevertheless, the shoes do help other people. It is more beneficial to buy a pair of TOMS instead of a pair of converse.

TOMS is mostly leading Generation Y - our generation. He offers internships, as well as 'parties' to spread awareness on college campuses. Also, fashion is a great way to connect our generation, and not to mention our generation seems to have a greater desire to help others in third world countries, or those less fortunate down the street.

Civic Action

The above photo is a good way to convey important messages... if this was 1970. Now, we have a plethora of technology, social media sites, social networking and other ways to convey an important message not only to our community or people who happen to be walking by, but to the world. Yes, signs and protests illustrating an important message have always been widely used and I still think it is vital and imperative in order to form change and still must be used - but there are more ways to show the world.

For example, if I am at a protest, I can take a video of it, interview people, and take pictures all on my cell phone, upload it to Facebook with a caption, and within 5 minutes people who are not with me can see what I am doing, what cause I feel passionately for, and hopefully join me.

It is great that we have these forms of communication, and it can only get better. Even though we still keep certain action alive that were used in the 60's and 70's for change, we now have other forms to conveying a message faster, better, and to more people.

A Coffee Shop to Rejuvenate your mind and... Community?

A Coffee Shop to Rejuvenate your mind and... Community?

The Village Coffee Shop on Prezi

Kim Starr TED Talk

In her Ted Talk, Kim Starr describes the past of an area we are familiar with, 63rd Street, and how it has changed - for the worse - today. The solution: The Village Coffee House on 63rd Street. With the help of the owner, Stevie Cunningham, Kim sets the scene and shows a beacon of light for the sad city.

Change of Heart! New TEDTalk idea!

I decided to change my TEDTalk to The Village Coffee Shop on 63rd street. I am an avid coffee drinker, so when I found out last summer that a new coffee shop was opening on 63rd street, you could imagine my excitement. I not only love to drink coffee, but going to a coffee shop with your friends to hang out or do homework has a special feeling added to it.

I visited The Village on Tuesday night, and he told me that there was an article written about him in The Hawk and showed me the article, and I found out that he bought The Village specifically on 63rd street to try to bring back what Overbrook Farms was - a family friendly, thriving and social area; not what he and I am sure all of us see today.

Kimberly Starr and the Life Computers Can Give

Kimberly Starr, in her fascinating TEDTalk discusses the computer - not the technology behind the computer, or new high-tech computers coming out in the future - but the personal affect it has on students in Africa. She also illustrates how we, as a First World nation, take such a wonderful and simple technology for granted, while other human beings look at it as a beacon of light out of poverty. She focuses on the charity 'Computers 4 Africa' and opens the eyes of her listeners to what a computer can do - which is more than work or play.

TED Talk

Computers have become a necessity for America as well as other first and most second world countries. However, for Countries like Africa and other third world nations, a computer is a luxury, and not only that - but a beacon of light. It is a child's ticket out of horrible poverty with the aid of education. And this is something we take for granted.

I will be discussing the simple technology (or what most people view as simple) of the computer, and how it is growing and affecting people of lesser means so greatly. I want to specifically cover the Computers4Africa foundation and stress the importance of the computer. There are other great technologies out there to help others, however, the computer was the ground work.

The Surrogates

I personally really enjoyed the movie, because it brought a visual of what life would be like if this were to really happen. However, it was a bit different from the comic book, but I did a little research and found that the comic book is a 5 part series, so I am assuming that the other books contain the different scenes.

Either way it is a scary thought, especially how we are so wrapped up in our phones and the internet and all of the new technology, the question still stays - is, and will technology help or hinder our lives?

"The Surries" - could be coming to our families?

If 'The Surrogates' had been written even 10 years ago, I think we can safely assume it would be looked at as a a more sci-fi novel, instead of a possible future. The discussions in class brought up many points about the technology we have today, and how we rely on it just to live each day, and where and how far it can go in the future.

I especially enjoyed the discussion of dependence on such technologies. In the novel, the characters depend on their surrogates to do their job and live everyday for them. Today, we depend on technology in our lives, and to do our job, however, we do not completely rely on technology, and I do not think someone would commit suicide if Facebook got deleted.

A Generation that Can Live Forever

The comic book novel, The Surrogates, displays what it means to be human, and to be 'alive'. If we all lived through robots, we, of course, would not be living. There are vital everyday human interactions that make us human, but if we coop ourselves up in a room, living through something else, we cannot live. Even something as simple as a conversation is being affected today.



As Bruce Schneier discusses in his article The Tech Lab, "Computers are mediating conversation as well. Face-to-face conversations are ephemeral." From quick texting conversations, or wall posts, each conversation is short and to the point.
In my English class we discussed authors and artists would create something to, in a sense, 'live forever'. Now, through YouTube, or facebook, we can, in fact, 'live forever' through our pictures or videos. However, to actually live forever, to me, would be the worst thing. I would not to live forever - it is natural to die. The thought of death makes people want to live, and if there wasn't a fear of dying, then no one would live. Being cooped up in a room, living through a surrogate, would not matter, since we have eternity.
Even though we have not created the technology to live through surrogates, humanity as a whole needs improvement before we can accept such great technology. As Nick Bostrom expresses in his TED talk on Our Biggest Problems, he makes one specific point that I fully agree with. He says that life is not as wonderful as it could be, and that if we want it to be a wonderful life, we need to completely transform humanity. We cannot rely on other things to make us happy, such as plastic surgery, food, facebook or twitter. We need to find inner happiness and content in order to fully enjoy the other aspects of life. But as humans, as Bostrom expresses, we are naturally negative. That, in fact, needs to change.
Reading The Surrogates and reading Bruce Schneier's article, the thought of technology is a little terrifying. One point Schneier makes, which is extremely relevant, is the 'pollution' we are putting out today is equivalent to the pollution of the Industrial Revolution. "Data is the pollution of the information age ... And just as 100 years ago people ignored pollution in our rush to build the Industrial Age, today we're ignoring data in our rush to build the Information Age."
Technology is extremely beneficial, but the after effects and other aspects of it can be detrimental.

The New and Improved Kimmy Woo story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_MvoqBy46s&feature=player_embedded

Once I can log onto a mac I will put up the actual video - but for now the above link is the new Kimmy Woo video.

We added more background information, such as Kimmy's plan for the future, and certain struggles she undergoes just to help the students out. For example, she is currently fighting a legal battle with other restaurants in the area. She wants hot food to be included in the $5 special, however, Overbrook Pizza and other places to eat do not want her to, because we will obviously bring our money and customer satisfaction to her establishment.

We realized that we needed more Kimmy footage, and we did not take anything out.

Kimmy Wooooooo

I am so excited to do this project! Kimmy Woo is so helpful and influential in our Saint Joseph's Community, and for everyone living near her store! We asked her if we can interview her, and she agreed without any hesitation. Also, in Kimmy fashion, before we left she asked us our names, and repeated them three or four times over.

We are planning on filming her as she works, saying hi to the tons of customers she knows, and asking students what they think of her.

Even though she is not living with a life threatening disease, or portrays a glorifying message, she makes a huge impact on everyone she meets in a tiny community- which I definitely feel is so important. Everyone can learn from Kimmy Woo, and I cannot wait to see how the video comes out!

Diversity?

After reading Wade Davis' article on his take on how certain cultures decline, while others just change and form into something different. I did not even think, before reading the article, how certain cultures are literally dying, while others take on a new form. Is this a good or bad thing? What if our culture, the United States, still lived as though it was the 1930's? We probably would not have the technology, yet we would not be such a sexually driven or open society either (as we can see from television, to billboards or even facebook photos). I feel as though it is vital for a culture to grow and develop with the times. Or else we would not be able to develop and live the way we are living now, or have our great great great grandchildren experience something even better!

Now, diversity and culture in my family is basically non-existent. I have a completely "white" family (composed of Irish, English, Scottish, German, Welsh French - yes, very white) and we are basically all republicans. Then, coming to a school in Philadelphia, where there is an obvious mix of heritages everywhere, it made me appreciate everyone and their different cultures. In my town, there are not any paintings on the side of buildings or underneath tunnels; whereas in Philly, it is hard not to spot art in that form. I love it - both my family/ town and Philadelphia. Both completely different, but beautiful.

http://thehill.com/capital-living/in-the-know/79631-doppelganger-week-capitol-hill-edition

There is an actual week dedicated to finding your "celebrity look-a-like"

"For those of you wondering why everyone’s Facebook profile photos suddenly seem to be a picture of a celebrity, that’s because it’s celebrity doppelganger week on the social networking site.

The group on the site is called Doppelganger Week, and people are posting photos of celebs they resemble. In honor of doppelganger week and ITK’s weekly feature “Separated at Birth,” we thought some lawmakers might want to be matched with their twins."

Crazy! And everything that we have been talking about. As if every reality show doesn't generate more wanna-be celebs, and we practically idolize celebrities, there is now a week dedicated.

Illusion of Love

Chapter 2, Illusion of Love, brought about a subject I personally never thought of, but became very well educated in - for lack of a better technical term, Porn. The porn industry is a massive industry, making $97 billion in 2006!
Not only does the chapter discuss the disgusting revenue this industry takes in, but also the torture, yes - torture, these women go through for the pay check. They suffer from physical pain such as anal and vaginal tears, where surgery is needed. However, they suffer from severe emotional damage, mostly post traumatic stress - something surgery can not fix.

The chapter is truly an eye opener to this industry, in a make-your-stomach-turn kind of way. However, it is a big part of our culture. If someone does not watch porn, the sexual industry is still thrown in our faces. For example, walking into your guy friend's dorm room and there is a large poster of a porn star in an obvious provocative position, wearing something that barely covers any important body part. Before I read the book, I would make a smart comment about the poster, such as "Classy." or "Oh wow I wonder what she majored in." Yet after reading the comment, I do not see a girl with daddy issues who craves obvious male attention, but a girl who was abused early on in life, and had no where to go, and had nothing to sell except herself and her dignity.

Billboard

Through the billboard, I hope it conveys to people that they took their first steps as a person when they were a baby, and to take that simple idea, and do it with a hard class, or a difficult internship opportunity - to not be scared no matter how hard it may seem. And to stay dedicated, even though it may seem hard - just like your first step.