●  What does it mean to network using social media?

●  How do people learn & engage using mediated platforms?

●  How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?

●  What are the risks & rewards of public communications?

Social media sites and applications that enable people to share content quickly, efficiently, and in real-time. Many people access social media through smartphone applications, but this communication tool starts with computers. Social media can refer to any Internet communication tool that allows users to widely share content and interact with the public. For the Internet, social media has changed our way of life, learning, and business.

People can participate in online education through various forms of communication. Not only email and forums, video chat, and even social media applications are also essential. These are good ways to participate and learn through the platform, efficient, and low-cost. Online platform courses can provide students with sufficient learning opportunities. Online learners hope to have more learning opportunities to encourage themselves to learn and participate. Self-assessment in each chapter is also essential for online learners. They can take more responsibility for their own learning. Online learners can keep in touch with teachers and classmates at all times and get timely and effective feedback. Sometimes good feedback is the best way to motivate online learners to be more interested in learning.

Networked publics have changed the role of the public in society, blurred the boundaries between public and private, disrupted the unique social environment, and broke the importance of physical places that restrict public participation. If we want to actively participate in networked publics, we must first change our inherent thinking. We should be willing to accept the development of technology and the change of lifestyle. In life, we have to find valuable social networks around us. For example, by searching for groups with the same hobby, a campus group, and so on. In general, you can only actively participate in networked publics if you make yourself happy. Try to discover where you are interested, and try to share on the Internet, create groups, and communicate with like-minded friends. It is not difficult to actively participate in networked publics, the most important thing is to take the first step!

I understand public communications as communicating through social media. First, the advantage of public communications lies in its low cost. People no longer have to worry about the high additional costs due to distance. Public communications provide opportunities for many people with the same hobbies to communicate, and even many business activities begin here. Public communications also enhance friendships between friends and provide opportunities to build potential relationships. Most importantly, public communications provide countless learning opportunities. But public communications also has risks. Public communications sometimes affect personal reputation and image. When someone makes inappropriate comments in public communications, he may become the target of attack. Public communications are also very likely to encounter network fraud and personal information stolen. At the same time, using public communications is also likely to be harassed and verbally insulted by others. Many times, participating in useless public communications is a waste of time.

More resources: https://www.danah.org/papers/TakenOutOfContext.html

https://www.gwsmedia.com/social-media-benefits-risks