The Final Chapter...for now anyways!

Before this semester started, I had minimal involvement in social media. Facebook was the extent of my social networking and I refused to join the twitter craze, did not have any accounts other than email, and used Facebook for networking exclusively with friends. ALES 204 has opened up the social networking world for me in more than one way. Not only do I now have twitter (and enjoy following certain charities and professionals within my field of study), but I also know how to used Facebook professionally, as well as reach out to experts in the field through sites such as LinkedIn. I am able to effectively use pictures, as well as post pictures, on Flickr, and I understand the meanings behind the different creative commons' licenses, and can copyright my personal pictures in a way that best suits my needs.

One of the things we did this semester that I was most excited about was the Wiki Stub update. This was where we chose an article or topic on Wikipedia, that had an existing stub, and added or modified it's contents to make it more accurate and in-depth. I took special excitement in this project because as a University student, Wikipedia is constantly coming to the rescue with simple explanations and helpful links. Although I understand it is not reliable for everything, I like to use it as a starting point for gathering information, and expanding my knowledge through the references helpfully listed below. I also appreciate that it is peer and community edited, and that it continues to be run and supported by the people who use it. I think that Wikipedia is one of the most positive examples of an internet community, as it is a group of people who share and disseminate information for others to freely use.

In addition, I was pleasantly surprised with the results of creating a Twitter account. I now tweet frequently, and follow people who interest me, and give me more insight into career options and what is current news. The fact that it allows information to be right at your fingertips is amazing, and you can communicate with people all over the world! The impact it has had on the global community is tremendous, and I definitely plan on keeping my account. As I mentioned in my last blog post, I now follow Dogs with Wings which is a local charity that I am very interested in volunteering with. I can now follow their updates easily and keep on top of new news and events within the charity. That alone made joining Twitter worthwhile!

The Social Media Bandwagon! Image retrieved April 11, 2012 from CSIC Student Blog: Rocking the Boat
 https://blogs.commons.georgetown.edu 

The third portion of this class that I found most useful and enjoyable was the creation of this blog. I have never blogged before, although I did follow a few blogs of other people and enjoyed them. It feels really cool to be on the other side and to have my own blog! It is very satisfying to write down all your thoughts and post for others to read; I feel that it is a very non-invasive or pushy way to say what's on your mind. This summer I am travelling in Europe for three months, and my parents recently asked how I was planning to keep in touch; I immediately thought of this blog and how I could use it to keep them updated! I would have never thought of that before this class. It's little things, such as the making of a travel blog, that make me realize how much of the information and topics we covered in class are applicable to the real world and how much I am able to take away from this class. Although I did prefer when we worked on more professional topics, such as creating CVs and Pecha Kucha presentations, I also am able to appreciate the value of our other projects like creating a Twitter account and starting a blog.

I came into this class fairly clueless about social media and networking, and I leave it feeling more confident about my abilities with the internet and with a better knowledge of how social media in beneficial in all areas of my life. Thanks for the great semester ALES 204, I look forward to using the things I have learned in my life on a daily basis! My classmate, Nian Liu, wrote a really insightful blog post about her time in this class, as well as her CSL (Community Service Learning) placement. She volunteered with the campus Food Bank, which has not only helped her gain more experience for her degree (Food Science), but has also helped her improve her communication skills and her public speaking. What a great benefit! Check out her blog post here to read more!

Wordle of this blog post. Created by Lauren Bradshaw on April 13, 2012. Screenshot by L. Bradshaw (personal collection, 2012). Original word-cloud created at http://www.wordle.net/. 

Throughout the term, I commented on other classmates' blogs, the links are listed below if you want to check out any of their blogs or posts!
1) Becky Bohlender
2) Alyssa Coulombe
3) Nian Liu
4) Jami Frederick
5) Loana Valdez

Social Networking and Charities

Dogs with Wings is a locally based charity that trains dogs to assist people who are somehow impaired in their everyday functioning. Guide dogs, assistance dogs, therapy dogs,  and autism dogs are just some examples of the vast array of jobs these dogs can accomplish. Dogs with Wings came into one of my classes in the fall semester, and they talked about who they are, what they do, and why they do it. The organization essentially runs on committed volunteers as it is volunteers who sign up for a puppy, care and nurture it, as well as train them to become service dogs. Two different volunteer puppy-raisers came in and talked about how rewarding their work is and how much they enjoy what they do. This really sparked my interest and I would love to volunteer for this organization when I am more independent and able to properly accept the responsibilities that come along with it.

Although at this point in my life I would be an unsuitable puppy-raiser, I did look into the organization and gather some background information on their goals and values as a charity. Upon doing so, I was browsing their website when I saw they had both Twitter and Facebook accounts! Naturally I started following them and wow was I ever impressed! I know I should not judge a book by it's cover, but Dogs with Wings is relatively small as far as charities go and aside from the presentation I received in class, as well as my own research, I have never heard or read anything about the charity! Nothing in newspapers, on the radio, in the morning news...nothing! And now I know why! Dogs with Wings has chosen to make their mark through social media! And after checking out both their Twitter and their Facebook accounts, I must say that whoever is in charge is doing a good job of it. Their twitter feed is regularly updated and lets people know about information sessions they hold, where you can meet and greet the organization, and what kind of volunteers they need at that point in time. I liked their twitter feed as it updated not only the charities current status, but also posted links to other websites that had mentioned them, pictures of the different dogs, and when they ARE on the morning news (I guess I wasn't tuned in at the right times!). What a difference! Keeping up with the charity and it's on-goings is so much easier now and so quick! It takes less than 60 seconds of my time in the morning to read what they have been doing most recently or what their future plans are.

As for the Facebook profile, although I check it less often, I find that their Facebook page to be such a positive community, bringing people together who have common interests. Twitter is better for quick updates on the actual charity but the Facebook page is nice because it facilitates networking within the community.

Dogs with Wings' Mascot! What a cutie.
Image retrieved: April 9, 2012 from Dogs with Wings
 http://www.dogswithwings.ca/images/stories/zzinvite_front.jpg

After checking out both of these social media sites and how Dogs with Wings utilized them, I have to say that social networking, such as Twitter and Facebook, are amazing platforms that allow for real-time updates and help bring people together. I am so thrilled that Dogs with Wings uses these forums as I can now stay up to date with them and get to know the organization even better. A blog post recently done by a classmate of mine, Alyssa Coulombe, talks about how social networking and the horse industry are integrated and work together. She is a horse owner so Twitter and Facebook allow her to connect to real people and organizations for questions, event/competition information, health concerns, and general information! Whitemud Equine Centre and Spruce Meadows are just a few of the organizations that social media allows her to stay in touch with. To read more about it, check out her blog here: Social Media and the Equine World

Hopefully one day I can take more involved role and be able to volunteer my time, but for now being able to keep up with where they are at in terms of daily activity is great. Thanks Twitter and Facebook for allowing me to keep my interests closer at heart!