former espn talk show host H u m a n i t i e s

Social Media Essay

Social media is “a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of User-Generated Content” (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010, p. 61). When one posts something on social media, it becomes public, meaning anyone who has access can read it. For most people, this is not a problem.

However, it becomes a problem when it interferes with student learning and/or violates a company’s (e.g., workplace or school) social media policy. Critics say that this violates freedom of speech, the First Amendment.

The reality is that schools and companies use social media to vet prospective applicants for college admissions, internships, and jobs (Career Builder, 2017). Big brother is not just the government monitoring people anymore.

When one submits an application for school admissions, internships, and jobs, one of the first things guaranteed to happen is the company hires someone or has someone internally check the prospective applicant’s online presence (The Creative Group, 2017). An online presence is one’s record of social networking online. This is just as important as the resume to many employers and recruiters.

In addition, all companies have social media and computer policies and procedures that all interns and employees must follow. They even make them sign consent forms that they have read and understand them, in addition to agreeing to abide by them. Jemma Hill, a former ESPN talk show host, violated these policies (Joseph, 2017). Because of her actions, she does not work for them anymore.

Ratemyprofessor.com is a site where students can post comments about professors.. Professors do not like this site because it hurts them. Department chairs can use this information to appoint or reappoint non-tenured professors. Negative reviews, whether true or not, play a vital role in the hiring process (Quintana, 2019).

Whether the person or institution is being talked about or doing the talking, both parties are affected in different ways.

A critique is one’s opinion of something or someone. When writing a critique, it is very easy to use “I think,” “in my opinion,” or “I believe,” as a way to express one’s opinion. Although this may seem like an easy way of writing one, it is not the most academic way. When first person is used, as in the examples above, the focus remains on the critic and not the critique or message itself. The message has been changed.

The best way to write a critique is to use third person. This way, the focus is on the message and not the writer or speaker. Instead of writing “I believe that the researchers did not conduct a valid study,” it is better stated “The researchers did not conduct a valid study.” The easiest way to think about it is to start with whatever comes after “I think,” “in my opinion,” or “I believe.” Third person sends a stronger message.

[Example of critique – my view of technology in the classroom.

Assignment

Choose a topic below. In your essay, give specific reasons and examples to prove your arguments. Any outside sources you use need to be cited properly. You may use MLA or APA, whichever one you are more comfortable with. This is three pages long. It can be longer but not shorter than three pages.

1. After the reading the article (https://youtu.be/BVTm9hFicXE) about social media, do you feel that schools like Harvard University and other have the right to rescind acceptance offers, and monitor and punish students for online postings? Why or why not?
2. How has free speech affected universities?
   1. President Trump has threatened to cut funds to universities that ban free speech.
   2. Schools will not have education disrupted. (video)
   3. Protests on campus
   4. Controversial speakers being canceled
3. How has social changed how students are admitted to colleges?
   1. Online postings

http://press.careerbuilder.com/2017-06-15-Number-of-Employers-Using-Social-Media-to-Screen-Candidates-at-All-Time-High-Finds-Latest-CareerBuilder-Study

Joseph, A. (2017, December 19). Jemele Hill on tweets that got her suspended: I thought they were ‘pretty benign.’ USA Today. Retrieved from https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/12/jemele-hill-trump-espn-sportscenter-suspension-jerry-jones-cowboys-tweets-podcast

Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M., (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of social media. Business Horizons, 53, 59-68.

Quintana, C. (2019, January 16). No, Rate My Professors probably won’t remove your profile. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from