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 – Mary 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

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

Social network analysis Friendship analysisInteractions analysis

Engagement cont.

Learning  Findings from research:  Mary’s reflection:  Sharing content and discussing issues  Informal Education

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?