The most rewarding experience of the GNML online program

 

Theodore Roosevelt once encouraged: “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”  Entering the Global New Media Lab environment with these words in mind helped create success necessary to make my experience most rewarding.

                                                    Image from Google Images

Through Global New Media Lab, I was able to create and publish my own work on the internet through a personal blog and the Third Planet Platform, formulate a Twitter account, broadcast my views, goals, and opinions through a YouTube account and overall increase my confidence online. Excitement and a sense of accomplishment overwhelm me when I consider all that I have achieved through social media. Despite many failing attempts, the feeling of having my voice heard and opinions shared surpasses it.

The most rewarding aspect of the Global New Media Platform is contemplating how far and how much knowledge I have gained. It is as if I am standing at a crossroad, and as I look back, I identify the evolution of my thoughts and how each session and new piece of information contributed to my configuration of thinking. I consider how I have previously connoted social media to be negative innovation of the 21^st century; ironically, now I view it as a device which I can employ to help induce change in my community concerning teenage pregnancy.

Formerly, I defined social media as “a wired medium of global connection used to communicate and inspire change in societies.” (Session 3: Using Social Media for Social Change blog post) With all that I have learnt, I would like to add a minor addition to that definition: social media is a wired medium of global connection through which I can make a change and have my voice be heard.

Elevator Pitch

The most challenging experience of the GNML online program

Although social media and networking increases connectivity and enhances communication, it does pose challenges.

Participating on the Third Planet Platform in Global New Media activities aided me in realizing the perks and drawbacks of media and networking. It became frustrating trying to understand content on the internet without “face-to-face” tutoring. I believe individual learning styles vary; therefore, engaging with activities confirmed that I thrive in a physically interactive environment.

                                                    Image from Google Images

Optimizing my performance and success as a Global New Media participant mainly relied on my ability to organize my time prudently.  Time management skills are major tools I had to harness. Procrastinating became the foremost hindrance; thus, self- discipline became a major component ensuring completion of activities. Slow computers and internet connectivity also subsidized the problems deterring my ability of carving vital social media skills through tasks and content.

Charles Darwin once competently suggested: “In the long history of humankind those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.” Global New Media Lab has exposed me to a total new manner of creating a voice for myself; conversely, it also revealed the predicaments that may arise when using social media to communicate.  I’ve learnt that creativity is essential when desiring to establish an identity for oneself on the web environment.

 

The most important thing I have learnt in the GNML online program

Global New Media Lab is “designed to nurture international high school students from around the globe… as young digital activists skilled in the use of innovative online and mobile tools for powerful change in communities worldwide.” 

Social Media is gradually becoming the learning language and communicating platform of the world. I was privileged to become part of the GNML community and soon acknowledged the importance of yoking good social media skills. My journey and acquaintance with the curriculum was most rewarding: finding a connection between the media world and social change.   

Although initially overwhelmed by technology and comprehension of tasks, a mindset of what it takes to become a true global participant was carved. I enjoyed interacting with new discoveries about how social media is utilized around the world. Learning how to operate social media networks benefits me as I am now able to participate in global conversations orbiting subjects that matter. Introducing these essential tools required for 21^st century communication compels me to consider other means of relieving civic concerns and issues instead the conventional means of doing so. The GNML platform enabled me to consider the social predicaments other countries around the world are facing through exposure to other exchange students.  I thought it was specifically fascinating to note how much power and potential these networks and platforms grant ordinary individuals: simply employing social media can help promote a business, spark interest about a specific topic, or evoke civic interaction. 

Through GNML, I have learnt that social media is purposed to do more than just communicate- it is purposed to inspire change in communities.    

 

                                                   Image from Google Images

Teenage Pregnancy In My Community

Teenage pregnancy distorts the social structure of societies. Evident in my community, Eldorado Park, Johannesburg (South Africa), this socio-economic crisis destroys young lives and provokes poverty. The media establishes an important role in defining ideals orbiting the concept of sex among teens. Thus, social media can be successfully exploited to alter adolescent behavior and evoke minimized teenage pregnancy rates. By authorizing community blogs and social media counseling, guidance is supplied to both parents and adolescents whilst arousing civil interaction. Alligator.org explores how social media is utilized to promote critical thinking about the consequences of teenage pregnancy i.e. through social media platforms like CDC. Social Media is comprehended as the mouthpiece of youth, thus, the exploitation of it can relieve issues centered on adolescents in my community.

Image From Google Images