Social Media Literacy

What is it? Why is it important?

Jessica CrittenUniversity of West Georgia

Last updated 4.8.12

Is social media “good” for us as a society?

• A=Yes• B=No

Is social media “good” for us as a society?

• A=Yes• B=No

• C—It depends on how you use it.

What is social media?

• “media for social interaction, using highly accessible and scalable communication techniques. Social media is the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into interactive dialogue” (Wikipedia)

• Why did I choose a definition from Wikipedia?

How many of you use?

•A=YES B=NO• Facebook• Twitter• Blogs • Wikis

• What other social media outlets do you use?

How do you use social media?

• Stay connected to friends and family• Find out about and/or publicize events• Reach out to celebrities and/or other public figures • What else?

What an insightful tweet, Jessica.

Why do you think we are using social media in our class?

How can you use social media?

• Building networks—professional, interest-based

• As a type of information source! So, as a way to find and evaluate information

• Most importantly, as a way to become a producer of information, not just a consumer

What do you think it means to be social media literate?

What is social media literacy?

• What does Literacy mean?

• “Social media literacy is having the proficiency to communicate appropriately, responsibly, and to evaluate conversations critically within the realm of socially-based technologies. (Karen Tillman)

Types of Social media literacy

• “Reputation Management”– Privacy– Personal Branding

• “…to communicate appropriately, responsibly…”

Types of social media literacy

• “…and to evaluate conversations critically…”

• Critical Thinking/Crap detection

– Remember that anyone can post anything online. It is important to employ critical thinking to determine what is credible

Types of social media literacy

• “…within the realm of socially-based technologies.”

• Network Awareness

– Identify our networks

– Find new contacts– Join the conversation

Why do you think we are using social media in our class?

• Social media is an information source!

Why do you think we are using social media in our class?

• You are a producer, not just a consumer

Twitter—activity Use the hashtag #uwglibr1101

• Find your classmates and “follow them” (I am @jcrittenuwg)• Search box Search by first and last name or @ name

• Question: How would you LIKE to use social media in your education?

• You can talk about using a specific site (facebook, twitter, glogster, tumblr, blogs) or even ways you’ve used social media in your classes that you’ve enjoyed or found meaningful. Make sure to use the class hashtag #uwglibr1101 so I can find your tweets!