Suggested Objective a: Define social media

Image copied from http://www.socialmediadefined.com/what-is-social-media/ on September 15, 2014

Social media is method of sharing text, photos, and other information using media software. Common types of social media include Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Look at Social Media Defined to learn what social media is.

Suggested Objective b: Discover how social media evolved in our society

Have you wondered how social media began? If so, there are a few websites around that discuss the history of social media. Let's take a look at a few of them.

The Brief History of Social Media begins with a Before the Dawn section with the year 1969. At this time, CompuServe is the first big commercial Internet provider in the United States. A progression of events happen up to 1994 when The Dawning begins with BHI starting Geocities. Many events transpire through 2004 before After The Dawn begins in 2005. Facebook launched a high school version for students in 2005, and YouTube began housing and getting videos. As you read the information by years, you will see when many familiar companies and social media groups are formed.

Digital Trends presents the history of social media slightly differently. This site does not use a timeline like the first site and begins with what it calls the BBS, AOL, and CompuServer Infant Years. Now in this case, BBS does not stand for British Broadcasting System but is meaning bulletin board system. The site then progresses to explaining how Friendster started the social media buzz in Britain and led to the creation of LinkedIn, MySpace, and Facebook. The rise of Facebook and Twitter as the most popular social media sites is explained. The aricle ends with a section referencing virtual reality and augmented reality as the future of social networking.

Let's look at a a couple of videos to introduce social media now.

What Is Social Media?

Social Media and the Workplace

Suggested Objective c: Investigate the different types of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Texting, LinkedIn, MyYearbook, MySpace, Instagram, and so forth)

There are many different types of social media. Some sites are for writing (blogging), others for conferencing or chatting, and others still for sharing information. Let's look at some different types of social media. Click the links below for the different areas. We will start with blogs and end with Tubmlr. Take notes as you progress through the information. You will complete the GCF Learn Free social media quizzes. Write down the scores for each of the different quizzes and any questions that you miss. You will report these shortly. Be sure to review any information missed on the quizzes!

Blog Basics

Introduction to Blogs

Subscribing to Blogs

Developing Your Blog

Choosing a Blog Service

Writing and Promoting Your Blog

Copyright and Fair Use

Blog Basics Quiz - 9 questions - be sure to write down you results and any questions missed

Blogs in Plain English

What Is a Blog?

Facebook 101

Facebook News

What Is Facebook?

Getting Started with Facebook

Understanding Facebook Privacy

Adjusting Your Privacy Settings

Sharing on Facebook

Chat and Messages

Adjusting Your Account Settings

Facebook Texts

Deactivating Your Facebook Account

Managing Your News Feed

Using Lists to Manage Sharing

Facebook Groups

Creating a Facebook Page

Facebook Quiz - 8 questions - be sure to write down you results and any questions missed

What Is Facebook Tutorial

Facebook - In Simple English

Skype

Introduction to Skype

Setting Up Skype

Contact and Safety Tips

Making Calls with Skype

Making Video Calls with Skype

Instant Messaging with Skype

Screen Sharing and Sending Files

Skype Communication Tips

Skype for Mobile Devices

Skype Quiz - 10 questions - be sure to write down you results and any questions missed

How to Skype - Basics Part 1 of 2

How to Skype - Basics Part 2 of 2

Twitter 101

What Is Twitter?

Create a Twitter Account

The Twitter Dashboard

Who to Follow

How to Tweet

Twitter for Mobile Devices

Twitter Quiz - 7 questions - be sure to write down you results and any questions missed

Twitter in Plan English

These next four social media applications do not have GCF Learn Free tutorials. We will look at them individually through sites and videos. Click the links as usual. Take notes as you read the information. There is not a quiz for each of these. :-)

Instagram

Instagram allows the user to take pictures and videos to post how the user is looking and feeling. The information can be shared between Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. When you visit the Instagram website, there is a FAQ. This page explains how the idea for Instagram arose (little history regarding cameras here!).

What Is Instagram?

WikiHow explains in 18 steps how to install and use Instagram.

Snapchat

Snapchat is a photo messaging application. Users take pictures and record videos with this applciation and can even add drawings and text to a group of people. After the image is viewed, it disappears. When you click the button in the middle of the page, a short video of Snapchat will play.

This is pdf file is called a Guide for Parents - Snapchat. However, students need to be aware of the information also. It explains who to contact and how to contact them if anything inappropriate happens using Snapchat.

What is Snapchat?

Verizon Wireless has post Snapchat 101: What It Is and How to Use It. Click the link to read what Verizon has to say about Snapchat.

Tumblr

Tumblr is another free application that allows for posting of text, photos, music, and more. Color themes can be added. Tumblr is cute because you can create videos and pictures that look like a comic strip.

Tubmlr is being proactive and has created some guidelines for use. Look at the Community Guidelines page. Notice how Tumblr is to be used or not used.

What Is Tumblr?

The Beginner's Guide to Tumblr from Mashable explains what Tubmlr is and how to use it. Click the link to learn more.

How to Use Pages from Tumblr

How to Use Tags from Tumblr

Blue Noodle has created a video that is 7 1/2 minutes long. It shows how to use Tumblr. Watch the video below.

How to Make a Free Blog with Tumblr! (2014) (HD) Beginners Tutorial & Guide to Tumblr

Vine

Vine is an application for video sharing. Videos can be approximately 6 seconds long. They are recorded by a camera from a phone or other Smart device. There are many different categories of videoes - music, comedy, and more. Twitter bought Vine before it officially launched in the fall of 2012. Some sources say this buyout happened early 2013. In any event, Twitter owns Vine.

Mashable.com explains briefly about Vine. It even has brief stories and articles regarding Vine. Take a look at this.

Vine - How to Use - Tips & Tricks

Suggested Objective d: Discuss the pros and cons of social media when used personally, educationally, and professionally

Social media can be a fun way to get to know people and express yourself. However, we must be careful with using social media. Look at the article below to learn how social media can be good (pro) and bad (con).

Social Networking's Good and Bad Impacts on Kids

Top Ten Social Media has a short article of 10 Pros and Cons of Social Media. Look at this article to see the good and bad of social media. Do you agree or disagree with any of these items? Have you seen any of this happen either to yourself or someone else?

How Stuff Works is an awesome website. They have an article named What Are the Pros and Cons of Social Networking Sites? that can be viewed. Click the link to see what How Stuff Works author Jonathan Strickland says.

Pros and Cons of Social Media