Social Media Illuminated

Letting friends know where you are at may no longer require a phone call or even a text as long as you are all connected via foursquare, an online social media tool.

Assistant Professor Dawn Gilpin shared key insights to integrating and using social media within the classroom as well as to promote school publications, covering four areas of interest.

"Social media," said Gilpin, Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication instructor, "represents the most powerful listening tool currently available."

In addition to provided a taste of foursquare, Gilpin also talked about other online technology tools, why, who and building an online identification and reputation.

These are all aspects of social media I find most compelling and concerning. On the bright side, when my students explore and determine the best applications for our publications, they will also be determine what their ethical responsibilities are and tweaking policies/guidelines.

Encouraging students to learn about their digital footprints while they are still young enough to make positive choices should also help them to become more technologically savvy and better consumers. Personally, I am looking forward to delving into social media with my journalism students, hearing their views, and creating a product we can all be proud of enough to put our names on.

Tere Froelich
SBHS
Sturgis, SD