Friesen, N. (2010, Dec. 6) Education and the Social Web. Retrieved Oct. 18, 2014 from http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/3149/2718
Summary: Written in 2010, this article delves into the subject of social media and how it is portrayed. At the surface, social media is built up as a personal learning environment where users can tap into a wide range of communities and content. In essence, the user is being portrayed as the focus and purpose of all social media creation. The article gives us a clearer picture of reality, which shows that the bottom line for social media business is the advertising: "Eyeballs to Advertisers." With each passing moment as well, advertisers and the social media developers become more and more wise at creating algorithms to match users with the correct brands, which only increases the demand for more advertising purchases.
Q1: What are some big social media changes that have occurred since this article was written?
In seeing that the "Commercial Concerns in the Social Web" was written in 2010, I can tell that a lot of the issues raised in the article have even increased in importance now that we're almost in 2015. We've seen a drop in Facebook usage among the younger demographic and although some of that has to do with an older demographic being more present on the social media channel, I think the amount of ads and sponsored content also could play a factor with the decision from youth to move to other channels like Instagram and Snapchat.
Q2: How does this article apply in the connected world between sports and social media?
Through research in my current job in college athletics, I've also noticed that even users - specifically, sports organizations - use their own content to incorporate sponsor logos. For example, the Indianapolis Colts recently started placing Taco Bell logos in the bottom corner of their Instagram images. Although some organizations do a decent job of keeping a low profile on these corporate mentions, a careless strategy of content ads could lead to a loss of followers and fans becoming upset with the brand.
Comments anyone?
I guess it is true - social media can be used to create more consumers for products. That is the "dark" side for consumers and the "dollar" side for merchants. But, if we view it for its educational opportunities, social media is a blessing. It is the one thing that most students want to participate in. So, teachers can capitalize on that fact by using it as an effective teaching tool.
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that this article was written nearly 5 years ago, this is nonetheless a startling realization that the endgame for social media is to perpetuate visual advertisement. Though I have to believe that there is a level of control that exists within society and in turn can ultimately use social media for good. In other words, I agree with Nadine-social media in education can be a blessing.
ReplyDeleteDr.Friesen's view is too nagative in the social web. Although their starting point is the interest, but they has objectively promoted the development of education. So in my opinion, the social web will affect the education in a deep sense.
ReplyDeleteAgree with the premise that social media is based on advertising but thats true of numerous things within our developed world lives...TV, the daily commute, we are bombarded with advertisements on a daily basis. I'm not sure that the expected outcome of advertisers using social media as another platform should argue against using social media at all.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is true. Practically every learning website meant for teachers or students has some kind of ad but perhaps the ads have to be used to fund the website for it to remain free of charge. Also, many viewers have learned to tune out advertisements blinking from the sides of the websites, focusing on just what they want to read.
ReplyDeleteAdvertisements are what give money to the website and they can be annoying, but I must say that many times I have come across another website of interest because of those ads. They do serve a purpose, most of the time it is annoyance, but sometimes they help connect you to something different.
ReplyDeleteAre advertisements annoying? Yes, of course. However, I agree with Shannon that ads are everywhere so the fact that they're all over social media doesn't really make a difference to students. Regardless of the ads, social media sites are a great tool that teachers should utilize in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI see the advertisements all over that are relevant to searches that i have recently made. As much as it is annoying, its still a business. Just a reminder that facebook was originally a college based social media site that only allowed you to register if you had a college e-mail.
ReplyDeleteUsing social media for advertising purposes is great business. It doesn't mean that I like it... Stuck now with a new computer (unfortunately) riddled with pop up ads, it discourages me to use certain browsers or visit websites that have this problem until I can get in to have the adware removed. I always got an erie feeling when I noticed the types of ads shown catering to my recent searches. Like you are constantly being followed... But it does help you to discover resources you would not have known about otherwise. Blessing and a curse? I think so....
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