On Thursday I went to my mom's class to visit her and meet her class for the first time. They were a rambunctious group, but that's okay. I walked them back from lunch with my mom and volunteered to read them a book, something I enjoy doing with my mom's class.
Initially I was going to pick, but then my mom remembered that the Star of the week needed her book read. So I was shown the book, a small Lion King book that could fit in the palm of my hand. I began reading. I had them on the edge of their seat, with a story most of them knew my heart! It was so neat to see how engaged they were with a story they had probably heard a hundred times, but it was like they were hearing it for the first time.
They would predict what was going to happen next, ask questions, and were over all very interested in the plot line. After being in Writing for the Digital age, it was neat to see how much these kids still enjoyed reading, like the project about the kids interviews that we saw. They loved hearing the story. My mom said that they could probably be read to all day and be content with just that.
Friday, December 13, 2013
On Graduating...
Tomorrow is the end and a beginning for me. I have been talking about it all semester and it is finally here, graduation day. The light has finally appeared and I am not sure how I feel about it. I am excited to graduate, but now what? I have always had a plan, until now. I just know I am going to apply for jobs, but where will I work? Until now I knew what I was going to be doing from day to day. Now it is a lot of unknown. I have come to embrace that it is okay to not know. It can be intimidating at times, but you learn to go with it.
I have also learned that there are a lot of people out there that care a lot for me. They ask me how I am doing, offer to send my resume to company x, y, z and so on. They reassure me that something great will come along. I know they are right. I think that for now I am just going to enjoy being a graduate and a little R&R from all the homework, late nights of studying, pulling my hair out because it only took 3 hours to grasp a concept, and I am going to just enjoy a little but of life. I have a lot of living left to do, something I discussed with a friend a week ago, no sense in worrying that time away.
So here is to a new chapter. An unplanned chapter, but one that is in a good brainstorming session.
I have also learned that there are a lot of people out there that care a lot for me. They ask me how I am doing, offer to send my resume to company x, y, z and so on. They reassure me that something great will come along. I know they are right. I think that for now I am just going to enjoy being a graduate and a little R&R from all the homework, late nights of studying, pulling my hair out because it only took 3 hours to grasp a concept, and I am going to just enjoy a little but of life. I have a lot of living left to do, something I discussed with a friend a week ago, no sense in worrying that time away.
So here is to a new chapter. An unplanned chapter, but one that is in a good brainstorming session.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Always On
Social media is always on. It is open for business, good or bad, 24/7. It does not have an off switch. This is something as a PR major that we explore constantly. How to manage the "always on" media of today's world. This is especially difficult because there is no equation to tell you that you have successfully dreamed up an amazing social media plan. It is all trial and error. A plan that you think is fantastic may fail miserably, while a plan that you think is not the best works with flying colors.
As a PR specialist, it is our job to always be aware of what is going on. From current news to pop news, we always have to be at the ready. I could honestly never give up my Facebook or Twitter account in fear that I would miss something big. It is not that I have to be posting constantly, rather that I need to be in the "know." This is "always on" media at its finest.
Always on means that you want to be the first to break or react to the news. This is both good and bad. It is tough to have all the facts that quick, but you are expected to know everything you can, as soon as you can.
As a PR specialist, it is our job to always be aware of what is going on. From current news to pop news, we always have to be at the ready. I could honestly never give up my Facebook or Twitter account in fear that I would miss something big. It is not that I have to be posting constantly, rather that I need to be in the "know." This is "always on" media at its finest.
Always on means that you want to be the first to break or react to the news. This is both good and bad. It is tough to have all the facts that quick, but you are expected to know everything you can, as soon as you can.
What is Freedom?
On the banks if the Ohio River there is something very special. A symbol to many of the past and how far we have come. The Freedom Center is an embodiment of resurrection from a past that is unspeakable. Yet we are living in a present that still has many aspects of that past still living in our neighborhoods.
The Freedom Center is a symbol of how everyone should be free. Free to choose where they want to live. Free to live the life they pursue. Free to not be kicked out of their homes. Free to the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Where is the happiness in OTR? In the boutique shops that are owned by those who are apart of gentrification or how about in Washington Park where the voice of the people was not heard.
Freedom is a complicated thing. With freedom comes great responsibility. We have the choice, with freedom, to live our lives as we please. That is what we are told at least. Freedom is something we are told to cherish and cling to. What about those without freedom? What do they have to cling to? What do the residents of Over the Rhine have to cling to when their neighborhood is being taken over?
Many Over the Rhine Residents are deprived of these freedoms. With such an iconic center in Cincinnati that embodies these ideals why are the residents of the neighborhood deprived of these basic freedoms? Freedom should include the choice of where you want to live, not someone taking over your home. Freedom is having some say in the development of your neighborhood. Not being pushed aside and ignored.
In a country founded on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, where are these rights for the resident’s of Over the Rhine? Doesn’t everyone deserve these parts of freedom as well? A home. Food. Adequate space. Where is that? Where is their freedom? Their freedom is lost in translation of a “new” neighborhood that is victim of gentrification. Or succumbing to 3CDC and a gauntlet of boutique shops. Over the Rhine served as a haven, now it is slowly becoming anything but. So what is freedom?
The Freedom Center is a symbol of how everyone should be free. Free to choose where they want to live. Free to live the life they pursue. Free to not be kicked out of their homes. Free to the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Where is the happiness in OTR? In the boutique shops that are owned by those who are apart of gentrification or how about in Washington Park where the voice of the people was not heard.
Freedom is a complicated thing. With freedom comes great responsibility. We have the choice, with freedom, to live our lives as we please. That is what we are told at least. Freedom is something we are told to cherish and cling to. What about those without freedom? What do they have to cling to? What do the residents of Over the Rhine have to cling to when their neighborhood is being taken over?
Many Over the Rhine Residents are deprived of these freedoms. With such an iconic center in Cincinnati that embodies these ideals why are the residents of the neighborhood deprived of these basic freedoms? Freedom should include the choice of where you want to live, not someone taking over your home. Freedom is having some say in the development of your neighborhood. Not being pushed aside and ignored.
In a country founded on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, where are these rights for the resident’s of Over the Rhine? Doesn’t everyone deserve these parts of freedom as well? A home. Food. Adequate space. Where is that? Where is their freedom? Their freedom is lost in translation of a “new” neighborhood that is victim of gentrification. Or succumbing to 3CDC and a gauntlet of boutique shops. Over the Rhine served as a haven, now it is slowly becoming anything but. So what is freedom?
How Fast Will it Go?
I have been working on a project for another class creating a social media plan. The company I chose to look at was terrible at managing their social media. The Facebook page was made up of their material with negative comments flourishing and unanswered at that. Many would sit unanswered and fester with customers.
It was amazing to see more and more people band up against this business negatively in such a short amount of time. It was the same story over and over again, but from different people. The company chose to address each comment directly which is good, but it seems that they should be posting an apology at this point with how much negative feedback that is occurring.
I believe that this most interesting bit from this all is how fast people can rise an issue over social media, whether it be a social issue or just the matter of getting their order fulfilled from a company.
It was amazing to see more and more people band up against this business negatively in such a short amount of time. It was the same story over and over again, but from different people. The company chose to address each comment directly which is good, but it seems that they should be posting an apology at this point with how much negative feedback that is occurring.
I believe that this most interesting bit from this all is how fast people can rise an issue over social media, whether it be a social issue or just the matter of getting their order fulfilled from a company.
Not so permanent writing...
Writing can offer many of us an escape from the everyday. However, most of what we post on the internet, including this blog, are here forever. They will forever be accessible and saved somewhere on some server. What if that was not the case. What if there was a space where you could write to get things off of tour chest, but they disappeared as you wrote them? Well there is such a place.
Today we were shown, http://thequietplaceproject.com/thethoughtsroom/, a site that allows you to type and it all disappears into nothing. It is not saved or can be seen by others. This is a place to let out everything and see it all dissipate into thin air. All your worries melt away.
I think that this space is really neat. It is like a diary that your siblings could never read. A place that you can just let it out without judgement. Writing should be freeing, just like this site allows you to be.
Today we were shown, http://thequietplaceproject.com/thethoughtsroom/, a site that allows you to type and it all disappears into nothing. It is not saved or can be seen by others. This is a place to let out everything and see it all dissipate into thin air. All your worries melt away.
I think that this space is really neat. It is like a diary that your siblings could never read. A place that you can just let it out without judgement. Writing should be freeing, just like this site allows you to be.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Live Tweeting for a Class
I love Tweeting so I loved Marc's idea of spending a class Tweeting. I think that this would help perfect the skill for the class as well. We could implement a hashtag that we would like to use and go from there. It would be neat to do a scavenger hunt with that. It would be an opportunity to learn more about NKU as well.
Tweeting is a good opportunity to learn how to get a snip of information out in a small amount of space. It also is a good way to remind yourself of what you have done like Dr. Alberti noted. I think that Twitter is the food for those who want their information simple, not a shoot the bull kind of manner.
I also like how Marc would like for us to discuss the drawback of the digital age. What he did himself on texting and driving earlier this semester was very interesting and opened the eyes of many of us in the class. I think that this would also be an area to explore with the class.
Tweeting is a good opportunity to learn how to get a snip of information out in a small amount of space. It also is a good way to remind yourself of what you have done like Dr. Alberti noted. I think that Twitter is the food for those who want their information simple, not a shoot the bull kind of manner.
I also like how Marc would like for us to discuss the drawback of the digital age. What he did himself on texting and driving earlier this semester was very interesting and opened the eyes of many of us in the class. I think that this would also be an area to explore with the class.
Responsible Social Media
Our digital footprint is something has raised more concern over the years. What we post about, who can see it, who we interact with all have taken center stage to a debate of what is appropriate to share. The other end is when is it okay to bring what is on your social media in the workplace and have use it against you.
LeNora did a good job of walking the class through how to monitor our social media so that we are not targets of being put on the spot from an employer for our actions over social media. I found it very interesting that she had a friend who lost their job due to a social media post.
Being in PR I know that you have to control your own brand and that it is crucial that the "you" that is on display on social media is the "you" that you present in public. Now that does not mean that you can't show a photo of having a beer, legally, or talk about the fun you had at a local hot spot or New Year's party, but it is responsible posting that is important.
Post should represent you and the brand that you want to portray. It is as simple as being the same person that you are on the internet as you are in public.
LeNora did a good job of walking the class through how to monitor our social media so that we are not targets of being put on the spot from an employer for our actions over social media. I found it very interesting that she had a friend who lost their job due to a social media post.
Being in PR I know that you have to control your own brand and that it is crucial that the "you" that is on display on social media is the "you" that you present in public. Now that does not mean that you can't show a photo of having a beer, legally, or talk about the fun you had at a local hot spot or New Year's party, but it is responsible posting that is important.
Post should represent you and the brand that you want to portray. It is as simple as being the same person that you are on the internet as you are in public.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Personal Branding
Kerry shared some great ideas and concepts in her presentation. Many that as a PR student I am expected to know. However, I do have some differing opinions on what she was told about creating a personal brand. I do think that you should be where the people are- the popular sites that is- and develop a brand there. I believe that you should perfect your skill level on a few choice medias then go to another that you feel is important.
As far as being on every platform I think that is unrealistic. There are some platforms that just do not or have not worked in a long time. Google+ being one of them. If you have to have it for work- great, if not, I do not see it as a place to waste time. You want to be on the big names, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. This is where you want to perfect and push your brand. Focus on interactions here and your social media presence will blossom. Putting time into a platform where you do not have a lot of exposure is not worth your time.
Finding key players on the platforms is also a key to success. Generally if you are interacting with bigger names, a larger audience will see you then there is more of a likelihood of being picked up by others. From there your exposure will become greater and your brand will then be even more credible as well.
A good person to check out about personal branding is Jason Molica. He offer a lot of branding advice with his tag being #CEOofYou. His twitter can be found here, https://twitter.com/JasMollica, where you can find more of his information and his personal goals.
As far as being on every platform I think that is unrealistic. There are some platforms that just do not or have not worked in a long time. Google+ being one of them. If you have to have it for work- great, if not, I do not see it as a place to waste time. You want to be on the big names, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. This is where you want to perfect and push your brand. Focus on interactions here and your social media presence will blossom. Putting time into a platform where you do not have a lot of exposure is not worth your time.
Finding key players on the platforms is also a key to success. Generally if you are interacting with bigger names, a larger audience will see you then there is more of a likelihood of being picked up by others. From there your exposure will become greater and your brand will then be even more credible as well.
A good person to check out about personal branding is Jason Molica. He offer a lot of branding advice with his tag being #CEOofYou. His twitter can be found here, https://twitter.com/JasMollica, where you can find more of his information and his personal goals.
Badges!
Okay, who doesn't like winning an award or being recognized for an achievement? If you don't, then you can leave. Autumn's idea of the reward system is awesome! I think that it adds encouragement to social media, especially for those who are not proficient in the social media game.
This is a good way to see who catches on sooner and who needs help. I think it would almost be a neat social experiment. I like the point system and how it is broken down for Twitter as well. I think this system makes social media more attainable for some. Since there are not many "true" guidelines in social media- this adds guidelines to the whole thing. For those who do not have a good handle on what they are doing, this is a way for them to show progress and competency for social media.
I think it is good to tie it all together with the messaging system and as a tool to share how to to everything that the different platforms do. I believe that this adds some connection amongst people. Generally people like helping people- especially in these situations. I think that it is a good way to share social media skills.
This is a good way to see who catches on sooner and who needs help. I think it would almost be a neat social experiment. I like the point system and how it is broken down for Twitter as well. I think this system makes social media more attainable for some. Since there are not many "true" guidelines in social media- this adds guidelines to the whole thing. For those who do not have a good handle on what they are doing, this is a way for them to show progress and competency for social media.
I think it is good to tie it all together with the messaging system and as a tool to share how to to everything that the different platforms do. I believe that this adds some connection amongst people. Generally people like helping people- especially in these situations. I think that it is a good way to share social media skills.
The Future of DIgital Writing
I will have to agree with Jordan on a lot of her presentation. I loved our textbook because it did not read as a textbook. The book way more conversational and it did not seem to be talking to us, but carrying a conversation. This is a pet peeve of mine with textbooks. Many times I feel that their tone is one of a "talking head" or that we are being talked down to because we are merely students who do not know anything. So with that, I also vote that you keep the text!
I think that digital poetry is a novel idea! I think implementing that aspect will just bring one more realm of digital writing to life. There is so much being added to the web day after day- I think that digital poetry would be a fine addition to the class.
Live tweeting is also an aspect that I loved! It allowed us to continue a conversation and chat about what was going on in the class. I also agree with the blogs, although I may suggest that it be cut to two blogs a week.
I think that what Jordan shared were all good suggestions for the class!
I think that digital poetry is a novel idea! I think implementing that aspect will just bring one more realm of digital writing to life. There is so much being added to the web day after day- I think that digital poetry would be a fine addition to the class.
Live tweeting is also an aspect that I loved! It allowed us to continue a conversation and chat about what was going on in the class. I also agree with the blogs, although I may suggest that it be cut to two blogs a week.
I think that what Jordan shared were all good suggestions for the class!
Video Games as Literature
Video Games as literature, who would have thought? Nate Powers did, and her presented it to our class as a final project. Now, I will have to admit that I am not into video games, I think the closest that I can claim at this time is Candy Crush and I don't even play that consistently. Maybe when I was in elementary school and played Organ Trail like the rest of the 90s product.
Back on track though, Nate along with the class made some very valid points about video games being literature. By playing the game you are a part of a story. You are the master of what occurs in that story through triumphs and failures. I think that video games are a neat way to interpret a story. Also to the fact that you can be a part of a planned story or create your own. It is a neat extension of the story as well if the book already exists. I think that it allows the readers to visualize a setting and brings that to life for the reader.
I do not think that video games should be solely relied on for giving the setting, you should be able to envision that for yourself to some degree. I do think that using the game as an extension of what is already there or to make your own story a brilliant way to have interaction with a story that you have read. I think that it could potentially increase more discussion around books, especially in the classroom.
Back on track though, Nate along with the class made some very valid points about video games being literature. By playing the game you are a part of a story. You are the master of what occurs in that story through triumphs and failures. I think that video games are a neat way to interpret a story. Also to the fact that you can be a part of a planned story or create your own. It is a neat extension of the story as well if the book already exists. I think that it allows the readers to visualize a setting and brings that to life for the reader.
I do not think that video games should be solely relied on for giving the setting, you should be able to envision that for yourself to some degree. I do think that using the game as an extension of what is already there or to make your own story a brilliant way to have interaction with a story that you have read. I think that it could potentially increase more discussion around books, especially in the classroom.
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