Social Media's Influence

This blog post deals with social media and its use in promoting policy issues. “Social media are electronic communication platforms that convey content generated and exchanged by network of users” (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010) (as cited in Auer, 2011, p. 710). My knowledge of social media networks is limited. I am not a part of the Facebook, twitter, or LinkedIn networks. I have only recently become a member of Pinterest and to be honest, I have to look up my password each time I use the site due to non-frequent use. However, I do see the value of social media as fast and low-cost means of disseminating information, communicating, and gathering feedback (June, Hong, & Sung-Min, 2011). Two social media networks I might use to communicate my policy on the Multi-tiered System of Support for Voluntary Prekindergarten are Pinterest and Edmodo.

Pinterest is a social media network with the focus on personal interest. Members can search a wide range of topics that are of their interest and then “pin” that information for future use. The audience addressed through Pinterest would be early childhood educators. Educators could search the site through key words such as prekindergarten, RTI, or behavior. One value is the ability to share pins with other educators. A challenge is searching through the multitude of information that is available on the site, some valuable and some not as valuable.

Edmodo is a second social media network for educators. This network is supported by the school district and information can be shared directly to administrators or teachers. Administrators and teachers alike would be able to view the new multi-tiered system of support for voluntary prekindergarten policy and provide feedback in the form of comments or suggestions to improve the policy to meet the needs of all stakeholders. One drawback to the use of Edmodo is knowing whether or not the administrators or teachers are active network users.

When social media is used for the purpose of advocacy and policy issues, “digital post spawn commentary, sway view, and spur action” according to Auer (2011, p. 711). Social media provides the means for individuals to be heard thus broadening the range of opinions and issues that are addressed through educational organizations or the government. Some of the challenges to using social medium include matching the literacy and preferences of the audience, designing software, and matching task appropriateness (Lampe, LaRose, Steinfield, & DeMaagd, 2011). What is your view on social media for disseminating information and development of policy issues? Are there more benefits or barriers? What social media networks are more beneficial for early childhood educators? I would be interested in learning more about social networks through your comments.

References:
Auer, M. R. (2011). The policy sciences of social media. Policy Studies Journal, 39(4), 709-736. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
June, P., Hong, C., & Sung-Min, P. (2011). Social media’s impact on policy making. SERI Quarterly, 4(4), 125-129. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Lampe, C., LaRose, R., Steinfield, C., & DeMaagd, K. (2011). Inherent barriers to the use of social media for public policy informatics. Innovation Journal, 16(1), 1-17. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.