Context

Through out the semester, we have covered a lot of different material regarding social media: how to produce quality social media, how social media functions in and effects our society and how social media is changing the world we live in. Today is the last post of the class and we are covering a few last thoughts to close out the term.

These posts focus on digital citizenship and how to make sure that the social media in your own life is having a positive benefit. Social media should be a tool to make your life better. 

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2016/11/creative-commons-explained-in-simple.html

http://jenntgrace.com/power-of-social-media/

https://deliciouslyella.com/thoughts-social-media/

http://kriscarr.com/blog/how-to-stay-positive-online/

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2017/01/please-practice-good-digital-citizenship.html

http://www.chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/combatting-digital-polarization/63315?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en&elqTrackId=157be2ae49874599a5d67c68d25833f7&elq=34894d17aabd4f6db8893da519d3e5d3&elqaid=11866&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=4750

http://calnewport.com/blog/2016/12/18/on-digital-minimalism/

http://calnewport.com/blog/2017/01/28/on-value-and-digital-minimalism/

http://calnewport.com/blog/2016/11/23/what-im-talking-about-when-i-talk-about-social-media/

https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker/breaking-social-media

Social Media as a Disruptive Technology

What is a disruptive technology?  "New ways of doing things that disrupt or overturn the traditional business methods and practices. For example, steam engine in the age of sail, and internet in the age of post office mail."

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/disruptive-technology.html

I can guarantee that no one took "notes" when I was an undergraduate by taking a picture of the whiteboard! Just like the mobile devices we all use have disrupted the way we study and learn, social media has also "disrupted" the way people live and do business.  

Please read the following blog posts that explore this.  

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/10-disruptive-technologies-you-use-every-day2.htm

http://www.businessinsider.com/different-facebook-uses-in-africa-and-the-middle-east-nicola-mendelsohn-2015-6

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/11/war-goes-viral/501125/

https://www.fastcompany.com/3057869/how-social-media-is-transforming-medical-care-in-the-developing-world

https://qz.com/919213/social-media-has-become-the-media-in-africa/

Monetize

This week we are going to be looking at ways to make money by blogging.  There are people out there earning a living as bloggers, and even more supplementing thier income. Of course, we know there are companies that use blogs as a way of promoting their product but I am focusing here on individuals who succeed in creating income - money or in kind - from their own blog. So - here are some strategies you might be able to utilize.

Collaborate with other companies 
This blogger has such a following that target has collaborated with her several times to design
products to be sold in Target.
http://www.designlovefest.com/2017/03/dlf-lugggage-giveaway/#comment-1840240

A common method is for a company to collaborate with bloggers writing about their product area.  Often multiple bloggers writing about the same topics will be involved.
http://www.lilblueboo.com/2017/03/how-to-display-a-sea-glass-collection.html 

Ads
https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/truth-chickens-die/

Sponsored posts 
https://www.designertrapped.com/diy-pipe-desk/

Use your blog to promote other items you sell 
http://inspiralized.com/curried-cauliflower-and-lentil-salad-with-carrot-noodles-and-honey-
cumin-dressing/

http://www.livesweetblog.com/bunny-rompers/ 

Affiliate links 
http://www.mrsplantintexas.com/2017/03/the-cheese-trap-herbed-cheese-ball.html 

Reviews (get free stuff!) 
https://prettyprintsandpaper.com/2017/03/06/review-chalkola-chalk-pens-discount-code/

Blog leads to opportunities
This blogger had a niche food blog which led to a publisher giving her a book deal. She now uses
the blog to promote the book. (And look at how she adds links to other blogs that promote her
book. Collaboration!)
http://thefirstmess.com/2017/03/08/hot-pink-smoothie-cheers/

From the mouths of bloggers 
http://www.carrieonliving.com/blogger-bytes-how-do-i-make-money/

http://www.carrieonliving.com/how-to-get-sponsored-content/

Media Literacy and Fake News

I have talked in class about the importance of understanding and recognizing fake news.  The comic at the right does a great job of explaining it as well. Below are some links on fake news and some on teaching about fake news.  The latter might be helpful in your Public Education Activity.

https://theconversation.com/why-do-we-fall-for-fake-news-69829

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/business/media/comet-ping-pong-pizza-shooting-fake-news-consequences.html?

_r=0&referer=http://www.chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/combatting-digital-polarization/63315?cid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en&elqTrackId=d1e1266fea2542b5a183d5b496548c03&elq=151de43c242b40deb09520b242169fc6&elqaid=11895&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=4770

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-sandy-hook-conspiracy-20170203-story.html

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/07/politics/kfile-gorka-on-fake-news/index.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/2016/11/24/793903b6-8a40-4ca9-b712-716af66098fe_story.html?utm_term=.339f548c39a0

http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2016/11/23/503146770/npr-finds-the-head-of-a-covert-fake-news-operation-in-the-suburbs

http://www.chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2017/03/12/lies-damned-lies-and-press-releases/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en&elqTrackId=c9da2a7cb8fb4d73b33fe9999cd1a8de&elq=3788fe29a7c541858b68560d9b76c6d5&elqaid=12917&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=5325

http://www.readingmytealeaves.com/2017/02/habit-shift-pay-for-real-news.html

http://www.chronicle.com/article/A-Professor-Once-Targeted-by/238742?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en&elqTrackId=90cc345026ba437c959fc461dc3e6df9&elq=640eeeb615bb4211a1472fcde55c7d7c&elqaid=11917&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=4788

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2017/01/18-cartoon-videos-about-web-safety-for.html

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2016/12/media_literacy_courses_help_high_school_students_spot_fake_news.html

https://www.edutopia.org/article/battling-fake-news-classroom-mary-beth-hertz

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2016/12/media-literacy-fake-news-lesson-plan.html

Image from
http://www.robot-hugs.com/comics/2016-10-18-outrage.png