Is a website the way to go for Lenora – why or why not? Post your estimation. Be sure to explain how you came up with your answer.
After reading Lenora’s case study, I don’t believe a website is necessary for her to create an online anti-bullying resource for band teachers. It would take much longer if she were to create this at home since she only has dial-up (I remember back in the day using dial-up and it was painful to hear the dial-up sound only to have a break in internet connection). Yes, if she were to create a website (which isn’t my first choice for her) at school, it would be better than creating it at home since her school at least has broadband; but she doesn’t have the time since she would like to spend it at home with her family. There are other tools available she can use that would better suit her needs. Like others have said, Blogs ( WordPress and Weebly), social media such as Facebook or Twitter would also be viable options in her case.
If Lenora were to create a blog, she would be creating an online resource for her band members that would be easily accessible, require less bandwidth, establish an open network where she and others can share information, knowledge and ideas on anti-bullying; which in turn would help others. It’s simple to create (I know as we have created one for this course), has an easy to navigate interface and connections will be made between people. I think this is a better option for Lenora than creating a website.
Another option for Lenora would be to create a Facebook page or a Twitter hashtag. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t know what Facebook is (unless you’re a young child or living under a rock) and I think her Facebook page would spread like wildfire across band members. Most people would already have an account and if not it’s really simple to create. Band members can access it at anytime, share their stories and information on anti-bullying, read what others have said on this issue and can be easily accessed just like a blog if the user has a cellphone, iPad, laptop or desktop computer. Users can also be notified via email or text when someone has posted something on this Facebook account allowing for an instant response.
I like the idea of Lenora creating a Twitter hashtag too. Now, she could make it specific only to her band members by creating a hashtag like #AntibullyingTsq’escenemcCanimLakeBandReserve, but I think it would be invaluable if she were to create one that might get better recognition across the Twitter community; since this online resource would benefit all Aboriginal, First Nations and Inuit communities. Perhaps to be more politically correct she could use #IndigenousAntiBullying. This would start great conversations, allow a wealth of information and stories to be shared and could make a difference in people’s lives.
If she were to create a blog, Facebook page or a Twitter hashtag, she wold not need more than a weekend to do it; if not just one afternoon.
Hi Sean,
A lot of great points here. Because I’ve used Weebly for so long, I always make an assumption that a website can integrate a blog within it, and that’s part of the reason I opted to say – “yes, make it!”. There would be a need for static content and dynamic content as the subject evolves, and certainly, contributions could be taken from other people who have stories on the issue.
I love your ideas around using social media to create awareness, particularly the Facebook page idea. You are correct that these are services that a lot of people already use and are aware of. The Facebook page would likely gain more traction than a hashtag on Twitter, unless Lenora had a group of people already in mind that would be willing to contribute to it on a regular basis – or to start a Twitter chat around it. I’ve tried to start hashtags around some more specific topics like this and it can be challenging.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Victoria
Hi Sean and Victoria,
what about privacy or anonymity? Facebook and Twitter are very public spaces and bullying may be a very sensitive topic. Is there a way to have an open and meaningful conversation without a danger to be bullied in return. How do you control or filter the participation without limiting the freedom of expressing oneself?
Natasha
Hi Natasha,
This is a great point. I was envisioning this more for adults to share information and resources, but you’re right in that keeping stories anonymous in these tight-knit communities might be challenging. There certainly would be more eyes looking in than if hosted on a blog/website.
I would suggest if Lenora went down the road of creating a Facebook page that it be regularly moderated by Lenora herself, or use the Cradleboard network to create a moderation team. This way, perhaps any inappropriate comments could be deleted if they don’t align with community guidelines (I’m not sure if this is or isn’t an affordance of closed groups or pages on Facebook or not, but I have seen such claims in community guidelines on them).
If students are to be directly involved with the project, then I agree with you – another format is necessary due to these concerns.
Victoria
Sean, I really liked your idea about creating a hashtag but Natasha has a good point here about privacy as well. The Toronto Star recently closed down commenting on articles because they always seemed to attract people who wanted to post hate. I’m a novice Twitter user so can’t really speak to how to limit this behaviour there, but on Facebook, Lenora could make herself the editor and decide who could join the group or not, and only members could comment. If someone said something offensive, she could easily dump them out of the group and delete the comment.
The part of twitter that is attractive in this situation, is that it has history.
If one uses it to post links to anti-bullying youtube content, or information pages, or book titles that are subject oriented–all of those posts stay as a type of archival information file that future visitors/discoverers of her twitter feed will be able to benefit from.
Yes one cannot control who retweets a tweet, but Twitter notifies you when someone has quoted you or “likes” what was tweeted.
I think Sean is onto something with this idea, especially if one objective is to fan out resource information (not personal/private).
Thanks for the post,
K
HI All,
Great discussion everyone.
I like your Facebook and Twitter suggestions. I had not thought of these types of social media but considering Lenora’s circumstances they may be appropriate.
As for privacy, I assume, at least with Facebook, the closed group settings would allow for the privacy needed. I am a part of Closed groups that are completely inaccessible to outsiders.