October 19th – October 25th
Explore how using technology can provide real time engagement and include answers to the following:
How does social media help engage in community-based communications?
Social media can help engage community based communications in many different ways. An excellent example of this is in the discussion between Professor Miller and Mike Russell. Mike discusses an occasion where a UVic student posted on reddit about “finding good weed,” and the response that the VicPD social media account had was entertaining, rather than disciplinary. This was a good way to engage others and begin a community based conversation, both on Reddit and through the news. The use of social media can engage participants form the community that would not otherwise be a part of the conversation. This is discussed in the chapter “A new vision for Public Media” when it states “People come in as participants and leave recognizing themselves as members of a public— a group of people commonly affected by an issue, whatever their differences about how to resolve it.” (Aufderheide & Clark, 2013). It enables people to become a part of something bigger and discuss various topics of interest. The use of social media in community based communications enables inclusivity and provides platforms to discuss issues with people that may not otherwise be a part of the conversation.Â
How does social media challenge community-based communications?
Social media challenges community based communications in the sense that it can strip some of the face to face interactions that would traditionally be required for these conversations. Angie Kermer discusses how using an online platform to learn was different from how she would discuss this in real life. This challenge is consistent across professional, personal, and educational platforms. The language used when using social media to communicate within the community is different from the in person language that would be used. An interesting perspective on this is found in the podcast “The Happiness Lab” with Dr Laurie Santos. In the Episode 4: Mistakenly Seeking Solitude, she discusses the use of technology and the impacts it has on people’s happiness levels (Santos , 2019). This podcast opens the conversation of why humans attempt to automate systems that were previously done using human interaction to communicate, and are now using technology to omit the human component (such as the creation and use of an ATM)Â
Within community engagement, are their extended rules from the employer that you should consider?
In community engagement, I feel that there are rules from employers that should be considered. This includes ensuring sensitive information is kept near by and not shared publicly, and respect for others is maintained through the style of communication used. Additionally, ensuring conversations that are personal are not done so using community engagement from a professional perspective.Â
Are there cultural sensitivities that should be considered?
I think there are cultural sensitivities that should be considered when discussing community engagement. Mike Russell touches on some of the conversations that have arisen within the indigenous community and I feel this is an important topic to consider, especially within the legal system and school communities. Being mindful towards what is being discussed and ensuring that it is done in a respectful way is very important, especially in the sensitive times that we are presently in. This is conversed again in a guest lecture with Angie Kermer. She discusses her indigenous background and her work experience with the RCMP. Bringing in cultural values to policing and school systems is important, and this should be considered. Angie discusses how leadership is important when considering cultural sensitivities, and there is a need to integrate this more into school and policing systems.Â
What should your PLN say about you as you communicate to the public via social media or communication tools?
I believe that your PLN should be reflective of your goals, values, and character when communicating via social media/other communication tools. Your Personalized Learning Network depicts your interests and what you’re passionate about. I think that it is important that it reflects your character, and the choices you make in how you participate in your PLN is important. I feel that my PLN within EDCI338 would say that I am relatively active and attempting to engage myself with other members. It has been challenging to communicate within this course specifically. I believe my PLN depicts my hard work and dedication to learning, and interests in psychology, usability, and systems design. As I communicate with my PLN both in this course, and outside of this course, I attempt to show my values and goals while maintaining mindfulness for others.Â
What does it mean to balance your professional expectations and your personal beliefs in curating a PLN for the purpose of career development?
I think balancing professional expectations and personal beliefs when curating a PLN for the purpose of development means to tie in both personal and professional aspects into the PLN. As discussed above, one’s PLN is a reflection of their personal character and values. These values and interaction are going to be consistent with behaviour in professional PLN that is developed for career development. I think that Angie Kermer discussed this accurately when describing how at times, she felt very angry when people told her “you should maintain that connection because you might need it someday.” she felt this was offensive because she takes her personal connections with professional relationships seriously, and it is unfair to maintain a connection to “use” that person later on. Balancing professional expectations and personal beliefs is challenging as they may contradict at times, depending on the field of work and types of conversations that arise. The balance comes from ensuring your personal boundaries are not crossed, and that you feel validated as an individual. The professional expectations include rules on how one should conduct themselves in an appropriate manner to convey professionalism. To balance is to ensure both these components are recognized, and if needed, action is taken to ensure they are respected as well.Â
What do you think you need to reflect on (in regards to your PLN or development of a PLN) to adapt evolving social media communication expectations as a community learns more about who you are?
I think you need to reflect on what you want to show others and how it affects their perception of you as a community gets to know you. Social media provides opportunities to share things with others, and I feel that prior to sharing, people should reflect on what they are sharing, and what it says about them as a person. As an individual, this reflection would likely result in some adaptation of social media communication expectations. Learning more about those in your community and how they are interacting with your social media presence can help shift what is said and how it is shared to ensure people feel respected and included. Â
References
Clark, J., & Aufderheide, P. (2013). A New Vision for Public Media – Open, Dynamic, and Participatory. In J. Pooley, L. Taub-Pervizpour, & S. C. Jansen (Authors), Media and social justice (pp. 55-67). New York: Palgrave.
EDCI 338 (2020, Oct 18). A01 Russell, M [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH_UiTWYYwU&feature=youtu.be
EDCI 338 (2020, Oct 18). A01 Kermer, A [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73KOxy_fMSM&feature=youtu.be
 Santos, L. (Producer). (2019, October 7). Mistakenly Seeking Solitude [Audio podcast]. https://www.happinesslab.fm/season-1-episodes/mistakenly-seeking-solitude
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