Choose one of the following options for your Post #1.
Option #1: Theme 1 – Information
After reading Cooke’s Fake News and Alternative Facts in the Required Learning Materials, please do the following:
- Provide a comprehensive definition of 1) misinformation and 2) disinformation by paraphrasing and using your own words. (Please see tips on paraphrasing here.)
- Briefly explain three reasons mis/disinformation spreads online, according to Cooke’s discussions. Can you relate any of these reasons to technological determinism or social constructivism? Explain briefly.
- Choose one article from the Theme #1: Information section of the Week 5: Discussion Resources and explain some new information it adds to your understanding of how mis/disinformation is legitimized and/or disseminated online and the effects of it. Be sure to point out anything you found that was surprising or particularly interesting.
- Use two quotes from any of your resources to support or explain your points. Make sure to provide in-text citations for both quotes in MLA format.
- Provide references for all sources in MLA format.
Option #2: Theme 2 – Social Media
After reading van Dijck’s chapter, “Engineering Sociality in a Culture of Connectivity,” in the Required Learning Materials, please do the following:
- Briefly explain how the progression from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 created the conditions for computers to be used in new ways by both individuals and companies. Is there a role for technological determinism or social constructivism in this transition? Explain briefly.
- Based on the information in van Dijck’s chapter, identify and explain one possible conflict or issue that can arise from the commodification of users by social media companies.
- Choose one article from the Theme #2: Social Media section of the Week 5: Discussion Resources and discuss how it relates to something mentioned in van Dijck’s chapter.
- Use two quotes from any of your resources to support or explain your points. Make sure to provide in-text citations for both quotes in MLA format.
- Provide references for all sources in MLA format.
Option #3: Theme 3 – Community
After reading Bakardjieva’s chapter, “Virtual Togetherness,” in the Required Learning Materials, please do the following:
- Concisely describe what “virtual togetherness” is, according to the author, by paraphrasing and summarizing in your own words. (Please see tips on paraphrasing here. Please see tips on summarizing here.)
- Briefly (1-2 sentences) define each of the five forms of virtual togetherness and provide an example of each:
- infosumption
- instrumental
- interaction
- exploring ideas & chatting
- community as commitment
- Choose one article from the Theme #3: Community section of the Week 5: Discussion Resources and discuss how the community described in the article relates to at least one of the forms of virtual togetherness. Be sure to explain why you chose the form (s) of virtual togetherness you did and point to specific evidence in your chosen article that supports your choice.
- Use two quotes from any of your resources to support or explain your points. Make sure to provide in-text citations for both quotes in MLA format.
- Provide references for all sources in MLA format.