Blog Post 6

How does social media help engage in community-based communications?

Social Media plays an extremely important role in community-based communications especially this year with staying in you “social six bubble”, due to the pandemic of Covid-19. Social media provides a platform for like-minded individuals to come together and foster relationships. It creates a positive interaction for engagement to learn new perspectives and share content you feel is important. Social media provides the means to solicit and promote feedback on the demands and interests that the community wishes to express. Companies or other individuals can then learn from their responses and improve their experiences by implementing proper resources to strengthen their relationships. Social media also helps to raise awareness and debate social issues that can mobilize people to call for action. Moreover, by social media strengthening positive relationships, people are more likely to come together for social change.

How does social media challenge community-based communications?

As much as social media has become a valuable component on community-based communications it also does pose some challenges. Its important to remember that social media is still an institution used to drive profit. For example, social media accounts post “fake news”; the promotion of false information that is designed to influence ones opinion into a particular direction. Posting news with controversial headlines or topics creates more conversation around your cost which in turn, drives up the profit. This can be problematic, as posting fake news on social media can easily spread misinformation on important topics. Additionally, social media has allowed for easy gathering for positive interaction, however, the same is true about negative interactions. Many organization, for example, far right ideologies like male supremacy, are now easily able to connect with people who they may not of found in face-to-face contacts and therefore, grow their beliefs and ideology.

Within community engagement, are their extended rules from the employer that you should consider? Are there cultural sensitivities that should be considered?

I think that when connecting with people in the community you should go into with the notion that you are ready and willing to listen to those around you. People have different experiences and undergo different opportunities and challenges that may give you a better perspective on a particular topic. Furthermore, as you are engaging in these community based networks you also want to consider extended rules around your employer and cultural sensitivities. When you are employed, you are a reflection of the people you work for and with. You want yourself and the company you work for to be proud for the comments you are making and the community members you are engaging with, as it is a direct reflection of them. To continue, social media has given us the opportunity to share our opinions and values while remaining anonymous, which can have many positive and negative outcomes. While posting online it is extremely important to be responsible and respect other peoples beliefs, even if they are not a reflection of our own.

What should your PLN say about you as you communicate to the public via social media or communication tools?

I think that when communicating in a public platform, like social media, it is important to conduct yourself the same as you would if you were communicating face-to-face with someone. Social media should act as another opportunity to connect with people that you may never be able to meet face-to-face, not an opportunity to remain anonymous behind a computer screen. Your PLN should reflect who you are in in person commutations because posts made to the internet are permanent and therefore, can be accessed by anyone at anytime. I want my PLN to be a positive environment where everyone feels comfortable engaging in conversation and open to other peoples opinions and ideas.

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 both the guests this week, Angie Kermer and Mike Russell, did a good job at talking about how to balance your professional and personal life in creating a PLN for developing a successful career. I appreciated Angies look on forming relationships. She stressed the importance of not using people to “get ahead” but that the meaningful connections you share with someone will take you so much farther. This can connect to forming a PLN because when connecting with community members on your social media, you want to engage in a meaningful way. People are more likely to respond, ask questions, and promote your platform when you are reciprocating the same interest in the topic. Additionally, Mike also touched on the importance of making a balance in your professional and personal life. He said that he never wanted to become involved in social media and technology using but that when the opportunity came to change his career path he jumped at the opportunity. By following his personal attitudes towards social media he would never of experienced the opportunities he has had today. Therefore, he notes the significance that your professional and personal views don’t always have to align and can stay separate from one another.

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 one of the things I can do to evolve my communication with my community members is to take the opportunity that going to University offers to get involved and meet new people. It only takes one conversation to gain a connection that could greatly expand your network. As people get to learn more about who I am i want to make people comfortable with sharing their ideas. I want to ensure that those in my PLN know that I want to constantly be learning from them to expand my knowledge. Additionally, being transparent with members of my community can allow me to build equitable relationships that promote continuous improvement, and provide accountability for me to put energy into building a two way relationship.

References:

Miller J. (2020) EDCI 338 A01- Russel, Mike. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH_UiTWYYwU&feature=youtu.be

Miller J. (2020) EDCI 338 A01- Kermer, Angie. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73KOxy_fMSM&feature=youtu.be