+ Unit 2: Social Media in an Information Society February 7, 2012

+ The History of Social Media I asked you today to LOOK AT these 2 infographics of the history of social media and to pay attention to the similarities and differences in how they define and map out the history. GET INTO GROUPS and talk about WHAT YOU NOTICED: 1) A Short History of Social MediaA Short History of Social Media 2) The History of Social MediaThe History of Social Media

+ Defining SNS We define social network sites as web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. (boyd & Ellison) WHY BOTHER DEFINING IT? FOR WHOM DOES THIS MATTER?

+ Social Networking vs. Social Network What is the distinction boyd & Ellis make between these? And why do they rely on the latter?

+ Agree? What makes social network sites unique is not that they allow individuals to meet strangers, but rather that they enable users to articulate and make visible their social networks.

+ Agree? Although exceptions exist, the available research suggests that most SNSs primarily support pre-existing social relations.

+ The Self and SNS Do you feel you “type yourself into being” via your FB or Twitter profile?

+ Mapping your history of SNS Get into groups of 2-3. Find out who has an interesting and/or smart and/or funny history with social media use. Now, the 2 people who AREN’T that person must translate this by mapping/drawing out that person’s history of SNS use. Things to think about: What have you used, when, and most importantly WHY. And don’t just say “because everyone else was.” I sincerely want to know why, even if that were true, you thought using it was important. Once done, I want you to capture a photo of this map (I or someone at your table can help) and tweet it.

+ This next project…. To the syllabus!