is it all just lol or are the kids doing something? social networking an opportunity for positive...
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Is it all just lol or are the kids doing something? SOCIAL NETWORKING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POSITIVE PEER-TO-PEER ENGAGEMENT, LEARNING, & ACTION
Presentation overview Ellen’s PhD research focused on youth-created social media
groups
Mary’s participation with Make a Change! Be Environmentally Friendly!
Discussion of how interest-based social media groups provide opportunities for:
Engagement
Learning
Action
Ellen Field, James Cook University – [email protected] Konobo Jr, University of Papua New Guinea –
Ellen’s research Focused on the substance, structure, and dynamics of interest-
driven informal learning within youth-created social media sites
Envir
onm
ent
Regiona
l gov
erna
nce
Econ
omics
and
inno
vatio
n
Peac
e an
d co
nflict
Health
and
wellnes
s
Lear
ning
and
edu
catio
n
Med
ia a
nd id
entit
y
Human
righ
s and
equ
ity05
101520253035404550
Community Challenges
I don't know Not at all To a small extentTo a moderate extent To a large extent To a very large extent
10%
40%
8%
32%
11%
Technology usage
desktop computer
laptop computer
tablet computer (e.g. iPad)
smart phone (e.g. Android, iPhone)
standard mobile phone
email Facebook MySpace Twitter Google+ LinkedIN Blogs (e.g. WordPress,
Tumblr)
Skype Online Community Sites (e.g.
Ning)
Taking IT Global
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
22
30
0
10
30
7 8
42
1114
0
6 7
2
7
3 31
7
2 3 4
02 1
8
1 230 0 1 2 2 1 0 1 12 2 1
68
2
9 10
3 35
1
41
22
26
36
21
17
32
37
Platform usage frequency
more than once a day at least a few times per weekabout once a week about once a fortnightabout once a month never
email Facebook MySpace Twitter Google+ LinkedIN Blogs (e.g. WordPress,
Tumblr)
Skype Online Community Sites (e.g.
Ning)
Taking IT Global
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
18
24
4
119
6
15
18
7 79
01
02
0
4
1 1 10 0
10 0 0 0
10 0
10 0 0 0 0 0
10 0
3 3 20
10 0
1 1 12
10
10 0 0 0 0
1
12
20
2
12
7
45
34
2
Platform usage by location
home schoolfriend's house after school programinternet cafe wifi hotspoteverywhere - my smartphone
20%
29%31%
18%
2%
Environmental & Social Justice content posted on social media
all or almost all of itmostsomejust a littlenone at allI don't use
Make a Change! Be Environmentally Friendly!
Social networking group focused on environmental awareness and education.
Provide and exchange information among young people and interested individuals
Engagement
37%
29%
22%
12%
Level of involvement in groups
I am a leader or organiserI am heavily involvedI am moderately involvedI am not very involved
Info
rmed
& in
volved
Mak
e a
chan
ge in
my
com
mun
ity/c
ount
ry
Discus
s iss
ues & s
olut
ions
Includ
e yo
ung
peop
le's
pers
pect
ive
Educ
ate
othe
rs
Mee
t peo
ple
with
sim
ilar i
nter
ests
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
11
14
4 4 4 4
Top 6 Primary Motivations
Social network analysisFriendship analysis Interactions analysis
Engagement cont.
Learning
Findings from research:
Mary’s reflection: Sharing content and discussing issues
Informal Education
com
mun
icatio
n
tech
skills
colla
bora
tion
critica
l think
ing/
lear
ning
0
5
10
15
20
16
10
41
13 13
3 2
69
31
Online Skills as reported by youth
Online Skill 1 Online Skill 2 Online Skill 3
Action
Interest-driven and youth-created environmental groups can take action in the following ways:
Petition sharing
Volunteering experience
Fundraising
Event planning and promoting (school, non-profit, or independent cause focused)
Communicating with wider audience
Mary’s reflection
Individual choice for action
Make A Change. Be Environmentally Friendly! is a gateway and an opportunity to take responsible action
Conclusion
Importance of social networking sites for young people to share and discuss issues that are affecting their lives and communities.
If formal education institutions or organizations adopt Facebook group practices, how will that affect youth engagement, learning, and action?