Social Media Goes Academic

Kristen Luca

Facebook may soon be coming to a classroom near you.

Or at least one of its companions in the social media market may be. Services like Facebook, Twitter, and del.icio.us are not going unnoticed on college campuses. Two University of Georgia professors have decided to work with those services in their classrooms.

Karen Russell, associate professor at Grady College, uses several different social media platforms in her courses.

“Since I teach PR and social media is important ... I try to expose them all to social media,” Russell said.

She connects with her students through the Internet is del.icio.us, a social bookmarking Web site. It is a place for Internet users to share and distribute links. Each day of class Russell informs her students where to look on her account for their reading assigments.

Facebook is another popular social networking Web site, which allows users to make accounts and connect with people whom they share history or interests with.

Scott Shamp, director of the New Media Institute at UGA, has set up a Facebook group for his classes to use. Students are required to have a Facebook account to join the group, which is used to send out readings, answer student questions, and deliver assignments. Shamp could not be reached for comment, but his teaching assistant Cindy Reynolds spoke on the use of Facebook in teaching the Intro to New Media course.

“Some of them didn’t want to join,” Reynolds said, “but we made them. It’s a New Media course and they need to use new media.”

Reynolds said that as a TA, she gets asked the same questions by students repeatedly, and the Facebook group cuts down on the time spent answering them by allowing her to answer the question once. It facilitates class communication for her course.

“I don’t really like Facebook,” Karen Russell said. In her public relations classes, she uses a different medium. “My favorite by far is Twitter, [my students] will tell you I’m addicted to it.”

Twitter is a microblogging service allowing users to update their page with messages of 140 characters or less. Users can choose to receive updates, called “tweets,” from other accounts, as well as reply to tweets and hold conversations.

Russell uses Twitter to communicate with her students. “I could do the same thing by e-mail,” she said, “but doing it by Twitter forces them to use it.”

Russell said that social meida allows her to connect to students on a more personal level, since her students often use their Twitter accounts to update about their personal lives. She said that the technology gives her the ability to get to know students in a different way.

Others are resistant to the idea. Ricky Contes, a third-year English major, said he would be uncomfortable if a professor required him to use social media for class. Even with services like Twitter, which do not offer as many potentially personal details as Facebook, he said he would object to their use in a classroom setting.

Contes also said that if social media and academics were combined, “I would never get anything done.”

Russell said that student reaction to her early use of Twitter, in the summer of 2008, was along those lines. “Let me tell you,” she said, “at first they hated it.”

This semester, however, her students have been more agreeable. The Web site’s popularity has reached the point where her students already have accounts before coming to class. She receives positive feedback about it, and the other Web sites she uses, including PROpenMic, a online community for PR students, educators, and professionals.

A student who has not used social media in class before seemed to reflect that attitude. Katie Wyke, a fourth-year English major, said that she would enjoy using social media for coursework.

“It’d be easy to get on it,” Wyke said. “I’m on it anyway sometimes.”

Social media have already proven themselves to be useful and popular across the Internet. Convenience and a personal quality have now extended that reach to desks in UGA classrooms.

Edited by Katie and Christopher

Georgia follows cell phone ban trend in U.S.

by Dana J. Hortman

ATHENS, Ga., - Athens drivers, be on the lookout for new legislation regarding cell phone bans.

With the latest restrictions going into effect in Texas on Sep. 1, many states, including Georgia, are cracking down on cell phone usage while driving.

The new Texas state law forbids the use of cell phones by 18 year olds and under.

In addition to this law, Texas also banned cell phone usage in school zones during enforceable hours unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used.

Six states including California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from talking on handheld cell phones while driving.

A recent study done by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute showed that the average driver talking or listening on a cell phone is at a 1.3 times greater risk of crashing than a non-distracted driver.

In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that cell phone usage and other driver distractions contribute to 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes.

Georgia has a law that prohibits the use of a cellular phone and other communication devices by a school bus driver.

There is one other Georgia law on distractions causing accidents.

“If a person involved in an accident was distracted by anything, cell phone, loud music, they’d be charged with a misdemeanor offense,” said police Lt. David Coker, head of Traffic Division with the Athens Clarke County Police Department.

Besides these two restrictions, no other state law on cell phone usage while driving exists.

However, a bill proposed in the Georgia legislature, House Bill 23, could change that for Georgia, which will affect Athens drivers, if passed.

The proposed bill prohibits the use of wireless telecommunications devices by persons under 18 years of age with an instruction permit or Class D license while operating a motor vehicle.

It also details the penalties for these violations such as adding penalty points to driver’s licenses and possible suspension.

“I would be more than pleased to see this bill pass. It would actually make me feel better and have a peace of mind when I am on the road,” said 18 year old Mary Grimshaw, a freshman theatre major from Marietta, Ga. “I also think it is especially good for our demographic, because we haven’t had enough experience on the road.”

Earlier this year, the Georgia House of Representatives voted and passed the proposed bill on to the Senate.

“I voted in favor of the bill because there are some classes of drivers, obviously, who need these provisions such as ones with learner’s permits,” said state Rep. Doug McKillip, D-Athens. “But, it should not be limited for other drivers.”

Though the proposed bill places cell phone restrictions only for younger drivers, many others outside the proposed bill demographic are concerned with the general population and safety issues.

“I think banning cell phones, in general, is a good thing,” said Chelsea Colgan, a junior marketing major from Statesboro, Ga. “I’ve read that most car wrecks are caused by this. They need the restrictions for safety purposes. Is it convenient? No, but it’s safer.”

Aaron Paul, a sophomore pre-dentistry and biology major from Athens, Ga., said, “The ban would make the roads much safer for everyone. Also, it would not have many implications for the social lives of people either. The call can wait until you are at your destination.”

As of March 26, the Georgia Senate read the proposed bill for a second time and is awaiting further review. The next Senate session begins in January.

To learn more about the bill and other Georgia state bill proposals regarding the usage of cell phones, log on to the official Georgia General Assembly Web site http://www.legis.state.ga.us/.

Edited by Alexis Economy/Ashley Bene

Not all Georgia drivers will be affected if the bill is passed.

(Photo by Dana J. Hortman)

Social Networks Make Friends out of Followers

Revised from 9/15
Sydney Slotkin

ATHENS, Ga. - Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are increasing in popularity with musicians looking for a free and easy way to promote themselves. Twitter updates provide up-to-the-minute information about performances and Tumblr, a blogging community, allows fans to get a more intimate view of the lives of their favorite musicians via pictures and personal updates. Musicians can be personalities made accessible by the hyper-interaction of social networking sites.

Allison Weiss of Athens, Ga. uses more than ten social networking sites and music-sharing websites to promote herself as a solo musician. She maintains lively Twitter and Tumblr accounts that fans can follow and stay updated on her album releases as well as her personal experiences.

“[Social networks] are great tools because they allow me to directly interact with fans of my music,” said Weiss. “I think of myself as more than just music. I’m kind of my own brand.”

With over 2,000 followers on Twitter and Tumblr, Weiss says that her presence on the Internet is the main reason why she has acquired so many fans.

“If it weren't for MySpace and YouTube and Twitter and all that, nobody would know who I am,” said Weiss. “”I recently went to Los Angeles and played a show in a coffee shop, and there were probably 30-40 people there, even though it was my first time. I consider that a pretty awesome turnout. The majority of them said they had found me on social networking sites.”

Gerry Green, a solo performer from San Diego, Ca. plays about one show a month in Athens and makes a Facebook event for each formal show.

“I always see people who were confirmed on the event at my show,” said Green. “It doesn’t take much work and it’s an easy way to get people versus word of mouth.”

With relatively easy access to their fan bases, musicians can engage in a more give-and-take relationship with their fans, creating a more personalized experience for both listener and musician.

“I format my promotion efforts based on what I see people saying and doing. For instance, instead of just hoping people will like a t-shirt, I can ask them directly,” said Weiss.

Julian Dorio, drummer for Athens, Ga. band The Whigs favors posting music to MySpace because of the ease with which listeners can try out music before purchasing.

“For better or worse, it gives everyone a chance to be heard. Whether you are the biggest band in the world or completely unknown, you can have a Myspace page for people to listen to decide themselves,” said Dorio.

Recently, Weiss joined Livestream.com, a website similar to Youtube, but with the capacity to stream live content to viewers.

“A couple weekends ago I did a marathon show where I played for 4.5 hours, and I had about 150 people watching it the whole time,” said Weiss. “It was amazing. There were people from the UK, Australia, Germany... all over the place, really.”

Becoming “friends” with a musician on a social networking site may not be just a misnomer for being a fan.

“It's kind of mind blowing to know that I've got fans across the globe, and it's only because I'm really good at the internet," said Weiss. “Well, I mean, I guess they like my music too. Hah.”

Editor: Patrick Hooper

Final Edit with Pictures

Campus Migrates to Electronic Tickets
By Amanda Duval

ATHENS, Ga.— Whether the University of Georgia football team wins or loses in their first home game of the 2009 season against South Carolina, the true test is how effective the new student ticketing system will be.

For the first time, UGA will not issue paper tickets for the home games to university students. Instead, home tickets have been electronically downloaded onto the students’ UGA identification cards where they can easily be scanned or swiped at each gate.

The new system is a controversial issue for university students. For instance, now that paper tickets are a thing of the past, so too are seat numbers. Now the student section is general admission, which many worry could create a frenzy of students all fighting for the same seats.

“Since the student section is general admission, we’re encouraging folks to come early,” Tim Cearley, director of ticket operations for the University Athletic Association, said.

No longer will the upperclassmen have guaranteed seats in the lower student sections, but rather they will be competing against first year students for the best spots.There is still the same amount of student seats, 18,026, and in the same sections, but now many think that the majority of students will show up hours in advance to ensure that he or she does not have to sit in the upper sections of the stadium.

“I believe the new ticket process has both pros and cons,” Karli Figueroa, a senior advertising major, said. “On one hand I was extremely glad I did not have to wait in the long lines to obtain my tickets, but on the other hand, I do not feel that a freshman should get a better seat than me just because he or she got to the stadium first. I’ve put in my four years and now it’s my turn to get a good seat.”

UGA is not the only university to use the electronic ticket process. The University of Oregon has also implemented an electronic ticket process. However, students purchase their tickets the week before each game rather than buying a season package like UGA students.

“We use the electronic ticket process for all of our men’s sporting events,” said Alex Miller, an intern at the University of Oregon. “The electronic tickets have worked for the past two years so I don’t think we will ever go back to paper tickets.”

Another complaint some students have with the new process is what happens when students are unable to go to one of the games. According to Cearley, those unused tickets will be donated to a ticket bank. Students who did not receive tickets for that particular game can buy those tickets from the ticket bank. However, students who donated their tickets to the ticket bank will not be reimbursed the $8 of the ticket cost, Cearley said.

“I didn’t buy tickets simply because I could not sell them,” Catherine Williams, a junior dietetics major, said. “It is unfair to me if I can’t go to a game to have to donate my ticket and not get my money back. It’s just another way for the university to make more money off of us.”

Cearley anticipates that some students might try to sell their IDs.

“Selling an ID violates University policy. The student judiciary and other offices can be involved, so it’s not the brightest idea,” said Cearley.

Cearley noted that attendants checking tickets have been instructed to verify that the picture on the ID matches the person giving them the ID.

Even though there are many issues that have yet to be resolved in this new process, it will hopefully not deter any die hard Bulldog fans from showing their support at each and every game, rather, Cearley is optimistic that the new process will bring more fans out to cheer on their Dawgs.

“There’s going to be a big effort on our part to make this successful. We will learn a lot, but I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Cearley said.



A vacant Stegeman Coliseum is an unusual sight for students accustomed
to receiving their paper season football tickets. In years past, students have
waited in lines outside the Coliseum for hours to receive their tickets, but
since the University has changed to electronic tickets, the wait is over.
(Photo by Amanda Duval)



Edited by Erin Dilliard

Erin Dillard's Editor Notes for Sarah Pelham

Fourth Source: talk to a professor who has taken the eLC workshop
Lede - I like what we put in at the top. The second graph - says faculty experience problems, so need to mention later (maybe with new source?)
Fact Check**
Work on transition at end, before why the change was made.
Work on drop/ add explanation...
I will e mail you more advice and suggestions tonight!

CHRIS BENTON ARTICLE 1

6 Degrees of Separation: Using Social Networks to Find the Best New Music
by Christopher Benton

It is very easy to get music online. Legal or illegal, there are hundreds of means to download entire artist’s catalogs from the super-obscure to the superstar. But with more decision comes indecision, and the question for the music fan becomes: what should I download?

Like the music industry itself, social networking has revolutionized the way in which consumers experience new music. Here’s some of the best social networks to discover your new favorite band.

MYSPACE MUSIC
In blogyears, Myspace Music is a dinosaur, but it is still one of the best sites for music lovers. Practically every artist has a Myspace page that allows fans to stream a couple songs, find out about tour dates, and even contact their favorite artists.

LAST FM
Like Pandora, but much more powerful, Last.fm allows users to build their own customizable radio station based on artist, song, or genre. Based on the characteristics of your radio station, the site will recommend other artists to you. Last.fm can even plug into your iTunes so you can play your library remotely. Access to iTunes also means that you can make friends with Last.fm profile and make recommendations to them, while Last.fm determines how “music compatible” you are based on similarities in taste. It’ll even tell you the last thing your friends have listened to.

RATE YOUR MUSIC
Rateyourmusic is a music critic’s social network, no credentials necessary. After you make a profile, you can rate millions of artist’s albums and even write your own review if you wish. This seemingly simple setup has many implications. From the rating system, RYM compiles lists, so you can easily search through the highest rated albums by year, artist, and genre, as constantly updated. The whole idea is very democratic and the best music gets pushed to the top. These are real music fans here, so anything in the yearly top 100 is always awesome and frequently on the fringes of mainstream. Users can also make their own lists, friend others, and recommend music to these friends.

DROWNED IN SOUND
Drowned in Sound is music criticism at its finest, or at least at it’s most Web 2.0. The British website posts reviews, features, and interviews like any other online reprint music publication but also contains a strong community component. For instance, users can post comments on any article or review, so listeners get in their own “two cents.” There is also a discussion board where readers can compose articles, look for band mates, sell equipments, host music forums, and debate the merits of staff-made articles.

HYPEMACHINE

Hypemachine is MP3 blog aggregator. Better than your RSS feed, Hypemachine is a constantly updating site that reposts streamable MP3s from all over the web. Hypemachine probably puts it best when they write: “To put it simply, the Hype Machine keeps track of what music bloggers write about. We handpick a set of kickass music blogs and then present what they discuss for easy analysis, consumption and discovery. This way, your odds of stumbling into awesome music or awesome blogs are high.”

BLIP.FM
Twitter meets Last.fm with Blip. The whole service hinges on the question: “What song do you want to Blip?” With millions of songs in its catalog, you can type any song you want (be it a MP3 or its accompanying music video) and then push it online. You can either play the song you Blip or play any song someone else Blips. The site is basically a series of user song recommendations.

Sydney Slotkin: Social Media and Musicians

The newest and most popular music may be the bet or the most innovative, or it could be the result of an alluring Internet persona. With the increased use of social networking sites as promotional tools for musicians, musicians who enjoy relative popularity on the Internet more and more may have their social networking skills to thank. As with many other aspects of pop culture, music is shaping and being shaped by the way social networking sites are used.

Gerry Green, a solo musician in Athens who performs under the name of Green Gerry uses both MySpace and Facebook for different purposes to promote his music. Whereas he uses MySpace to share his music, he primarily uses Facebook to invite people to his shows. For Green, Facebook event pages provide an easy and free way to advertise his shows. “I usually see people that were confirmed [on the event page] at the show,” said Green. “It doesn’t take much work and it’s an easy way to get people versus word of mouth.”

Although Facebook and MySpace are the most heavily used social networking sites for aspiring musicians, Twitter, Tumblr, and various other networking sites have become popular for self-promotion. Allison Weiss, a senior at the University of Georgia and a solo performer around Athens keeps multiple online profiles for her music and has attained relatively widespread Internet fame by using them to promote her performances. She has built a fan base not only by promoting her music, but by promoting herself as an interesting individual who accompanies the music. As a result, her Twitter account has over 2,000 followers and her Tumblr, a hybrid of a blog and Twitter account, is updated multiple times daily with digital concert flyers as well as accounts of her travels and musicians she has encountered.