is it all just lol or are the kids doing something?: social networking an opportunity for positive...
DESCRIPTION
This presentation was given at the Talanoa Pasifika Conference @ the Cairns Institute on July 17th, 2014. I was lucky to have one of my research respondents, Mary Konobo from Port Moresby, Papa New Guinea, also attend and co-present. Attendees seemed to really appreciate hearing about how Mary uses her Facebook group, "Make a Change" as a communication tool to speak to elders and peers about environmental issues in Port Moresby.TRANSCRIPT
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 – [email protected]
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
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Community Challenges
I don't know Not at all To a small extent
To a moderate extent To a large extent To a very large extent
10%
40%
8%
31%
11%
Technology usage
desktop computer
laptop computer
tablet computer (e.g.
iPad)
smart phone (e.g.
Android, iPhone)
22
30
0
10
3 0
7 8
4 2
11
14
06 7
2
7
3 3 1
7
2 3 4 0 2 1
8
1 23 0 0 1 2 2 1 0 1 12 2 16
8
2
9 10
3 35 1
41
22
26
36
21
17
32
37
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
email Facebook MySpace Twitter Google+ LinkedIN Blogs (e.g.
WordPress,
Tumblr)
Skype Online
Community
Sites (e.g.
Ning)
Taking IT
Global
Platform usage frequency
more than once a day at least a few times per week
about once a week about once a fortnight
about once a month never
18
24
4
11
9
6
15
18
7 7
9
0 1 0 2 04
1 1 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 01 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 03 3 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 12 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
12
20
2
12
7
45
34
20
5
10
15
20
25
30
email Facebook MySpace Twitter Google+ LinkedIN Blogs (e.g.
WordPress,
Tumblr)
Skype Online
Community
Sites (e.g.
Ning)
Taking IT
Global
Platform usage by location
home school
friend's house after school program
internet cafe wifi hotspot
everywhere - my smartphone
20%
29%31%
18%
2%
Environmental & Social Justice content posted
on social media
all or almost all of it
most
some
just a little
none at all
I don't use
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
37%
29%
22%
12%
Level of involvement in
groups
I am a leader or
organiser
I am heavily
involved
I am moderately
involved
I am not very
involved
11
14
4 4 4 4
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Top 6 Primary Motivations
Social network analysisFriendship analysis Interactions analysis
Engagement cont.
Learning
Findings from research:
Mary’s reflection:
Sharing content and discussing issues
Informal Education
16
10
4 1
13 13
3 26
9
3 102468
1012141618 Online Skills as reported by youth
Online Skill 1 Online Skill 2 Online Skill 3
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?