Tutorial Task 1.2

The following video discusses how social networking websites assisted people affected by the recent QLD floods in receiving news and information about the floods and in communicating with friends and family. I chose this video because I too was impacted by the floods, and in the time leading up to the
'peak' of the floods, I was consistently checking Facebook and Twitter as a source of updates on what was occurring throughout Brisbane and Ipswich.

These websites allowed me to gain important information and access to significant websites without having to go to the trouble of doing my own searches and trying to coax my parents' horrible computer to work efficiently. These social networking outlets also allowed me to communicate with my family and friends, up until the power was cut, to let them know what was happening as I had no phone service.

The video also discusses how the QLD Police Service had a page on Facebook that one can 'like' and follow which was regularly updated and worked to dispel any myths that were circulating about the floods, the impact, its victims etc. I believe that this also provided a valuable resource for people as the QPS are generally respected and seen as a reliable source of information, so viewers of their page could feel confidence in knowing what they were reading was in fact correct.





I have chosen to share the following video, entitled Privacy and Social Networks, to emphasise how we mistakenly take our privacy of the content we share with 'friends' on social networking sites for granted. This video demonstrates how the information that we share, including personal interests, photos, videos, friends etc, can be shared and viewed beyond the realm of what we see as feasible. Who are your friends of friends? Who is able to access your information? What do you want the world to know about you? It is something we all need to think about.





The last video I have chosen to share revolves around the idea that students in schools should not be restricted from using social network websites at school, but rather be taught HOW to use them. The video implies that communication media are only successful if they are two-way, hence the term 'communication', and merely teaching students how to navigate around the internet without having the opportunity to explore various types of communication media and being taught how to use them safely and responsibly is foolish, and in my personal opinion, dangerous.

This is relevant to me as a future primary school teacher as I believe that social networking websites can be used in the classroom and that teachers have the perfect opportunity to empower their students with the knowledge and skills to be able to view the internet and its content critically and to be able to successfully navigate various websites and communication media safely.

Unfortunately the person who created and uploaded this video has disabled the ability to embed the video. The video can be viewed here.