Social Media for Social Change

You work in a school where only half of your students have high speed access and computers at home. What could you do to bridge this digital divide? How might you use social media to change this situation and get kids and their families decent computers and high-speed access?

     Sadly to say, even now in a society that is so technologically advanced  and aware, there are still a number of individuals who lack access to one of the most basic of technologies; a computer. It is often hard to even comprehend how one can live in this day and age and not own a computer. Many Americans can't even fathom not owning a computer in their homes, however we fail to realize that this is a privilege not always accessible to lower income families. I remember my family finally owning a computer when my older sister reached middle school and we deemed it absolutely necessary to our parents, but not actually getting internet till I was about in the eighth grade. I felt like all of my peers owned a computer except me, and my family was considered middle class. I can understand firsthand how difficult it can be to do coursework that demands the use of a computer, and not have it readily available for you at home. Fortunately for me however, the local library was a hop and a skip away from my house, so completing assignments were never a true inconvenience (which is probably why my parents felt that the computer could wait). For those however who are not lucky enough to be so close to a library, something needs to be done. There has to be a way to make sure that students who do not have high speed access and computers at home, are not hindered in their education, or left behind.
     As a teacher, the best way to somewhat bridge this digital divide is to make sure that school computers are readily available for students. If an assignment requires the use of a computer, allow students to check out one of the classroom computers to do their work, or maybe stay a little bit after school to allow students a chance to use the computer. Another option could be to create digital assignments that can be completed during class and reserve the computer lab for your students so that each student is able to be at their own computer station to complete the assignment. If students are unable to complete the assignment during the time given, then schedule a time for that student to be able to come in and work on the assignment. I would not advise that assignments requiring the use of computers be eliminated all together, because technology has such an important role in the classroom and aids in enhancing education.
     After reading the last required article, we see that there are many mediums through which social media can be used to evoke change. These mediums include such social sites as twitter, facebook, myspace, youtube, blogs, etc. For the purposes of this cause, awareness of this issue can be advertised through a facebook group which solicits money and donations to help obtain computers and high speed access for students who don't have it. Donations can be sent to the schools, and in turn, be distributed to qualifying students.

Examples of Social Media for Social Change include:

Keep a Child Alive

Video

Here we see Alicia Keys trying to raise money for her charity "Keep a Child Alive" by encouraging fellow stars to take time out from the digital world (i.e. twitter, facebook, etc.), and then asking fans to help bring them back to life by donating to the cause and raising $1,000,000 to go to HIV/AIDS victims in Africa and India.

Oil & Water Do Not Mix

Video

This is a video used to encourage viewers to purchase posters made with oil that was spilled into the gulf coast so that the proceeds can benefit the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, or crcl.org, an environmental cleanup group based in Baton Rouge.

OCEF (Overseas China Education Foundation)

Page

This is an example of social media being used for social change on facebook. Through facebook's "causes" application, this organization seeks to raise money to fund education in China and improve education conditions.

Participatory Divides

What would your ideal school look like?
My ideal school is one in which students are able to reach their intellectual heights and highest potential. One in which creativity is not hindered, but rather encouraged through nurturing, and exploration. A school where truly no child is left behind, but every child has an equal opportunity to learn and to grow.
Would your school have a specific focus like a magnet school?
My school would have a focus option for those students who know what they want to do and are dead set on going after it, and are seeking a means to prepare them to take that step. For those not knowing what path they desire to go towards there would be an exploratory focus in which they would have the opportunity to explore different options and see what best fits them, like college.
Who would be in charge of the school? What would their role be?
There would be a principal, but they would just be there to oversee things and make sure everything ran smoothly. Overall, the governance of the school would be a collaborative effort between staff and parents. By working together we can make sure that all the child's educational needs are met.
Is it big or small? One room? Two hundred?
Not too big, so that students still have the opportunity for that teacher student relationship, and teachers are able to know all the students names, but big enough for students to have ample opportunity to network with other peers.
Where would it be located?
Not sure, maybe in a low- income neighborhood since studies show that they're usually the ones that struggle the most.
Would it be year-round?
No, there would be at least one month of break so students can relax and recuperate before the next semester. 
What would a typical day for students be like?
Structured activities that emphasize knowledge of basic skills and concepts, but also those that encourage creativity and self motivated learning.
What criteria would you use to hire people to work with the students?

• Faculty must be very knowledgeable of the subject matter they will be teaching.
• Has prior experience working with young people (i.e. children, adolescents, etc.)
• Able to produce well organized lesson plans, but necessary deviation from actual plan will not cause the classroom to turn upside down.
• Patient, and shows concern for students, but is still viewed as an authority figure.
• Possess a creative spirit, but also knows how to maintain structure.

How would student work be assessed?
A combination of summative and formative assessments.
What role would digital media play in your school?
Digital media would be used to enhance education and learning through creativity and positive interactions. It would aid in reinforcing what is taught in the classroom, and help to consolidate learning.
What role would parents and community members play?
It is important for parents and community to remain active in their child's learning, making sure they attend class regularly, complete assignments, and is not falling behind. Parents would be highly encouraged to join the PTA to ensure that their voice is being heard, and their child's needs are being met.

5 Questions on the article: Teens, Video Games and Civics

1. Who are the most prominent gamers, and why? How can we use this knowledge to    create games that attract gamers, but also have positive effects on learning and education?

2. If monitoring does not have an impact on whether or not teens are exposed to anti-social behavior or words in the gaming context, or if parents of gamers are generally neutral on the effect of games on their children, then where does the line get drawn between acceptable and unacceptable game play? When is it too far?

3. Why is gaming such a major component for most teenagers overall social experience, and how can this be incorporated into positive social interactions within the classroom?

4. How can one encourage more civic gaming experiences in the games that teens play?

5. What factors contribute to the equal distribution of civic gaming experiences that may be lacking in other forms of civic learning, and how do we change this?