Analyze your technology’s role in the event using one of the general education lenses and recommend strategies for using this kind of analysis to meet your personal goals. In this module and the next, you will draft the critical analysis section of your project. It also provides an opportunity to obtain valuable feedback from your instructor that you can incorporate into your project submission.
Directions
In this activity, you will begin the critical analysis section of your project. Include diverse perspectives from varied sources to support your points. You should continue to gather the sources you will integrate into your final project, which will include two resources from the Module Resources sections of this course and two resources that you find through your own research using the Shapiro Library. Look to the SNHU Shapiro Library for assistance in finding evidence and resources from outside the course.
You are not required to answer each question below the rubric criteria, but you may use them to better understand the criteria and guide your thinking.
Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
- Integrate reliable evidence from varied sources throughout your paper to support your analysis.
A. It is important to draw from a diverse pool of perspectives from varied sources to support the analysis. This is different from the Citations and Attributions rubric criterion.
B. Reliable evidence from varied sources should be interwoven throughout the paper itself, while citing and attributing sources will be represented as APA in-text citations and a reference list at the end of your work.
C. You will be evaluated on both criteria.
- Analyze your technology’s role in the event through one of the general education interdisciplinary lenses to determine the technology’s impact on various institutions.
A. Apply the perspective of the general education lens to your technology’s role in your selected event. Then determine how the topic might affect institutions such as politics, community, family, economy, education, or market-driven organizations.
Full Answer Section
Impact on Political Discourse:
The spread of misinformation and "fake news" on social media platforms is a growing concern [2]. The ease of sharing unverified information can mislead voters and erode trust in legitimate news sources. Furthermore, social media can be used to spread political propaganda and negativity, exacerbating political divides.
Impact on Community and Social Cohesion:
Social media use can foster a sense of connection and community, particularly for geographically dispersed individuals. However, it can also lead to social comparison and feelings of inadequacy, negatively impacting mental health and social interactions [3]. Additionally, the anonymity afforded by online platforms can embolden hateful speech and cyberbullying, creating a hostile online environment.
Recommendations for Mitigating Negative Impacts:
- Media Literacy Education: Integrating media literacy education into curriculums can equip individuals with critical thinking skills to evaluate online information sources and detect bias.
- Algorithmic Transparency: Social media platforms should strive for greater transparency in their algorithms to promote user awareness of potential filter bubble effects.
- Fact-Checking and Content Moderation: Increased efforts are needed to fact-check information circulating on social media and to moderate content that promotes hate speech or misinformation.
- Personal Responsibility: Users have a responsibility to critically evaluate information encountered online, verify sources, and engage in respectful online discourse.
Applying this Analysis to Personal Goals:
Understanding the impact of social media on public discourse can help me approach online interactions more critically. Here's how:
- Conscious Content Consumption: I can be more mindful of the information I consume online, seeking out diverse perspectives and prioritizing reputable sources.
- Fact-Checking Before Sharing: I will verify information before sharing it on social media, avoiding the spread of misinformation.
- Engaging in Respectful Dialogue: I will strive to engage in online discussions with respect and empathy, even when encountering differing viewpoints.
By critically evaluating the role of social media in shaping public discourse, I can be a more informed and responsible online citizen. This aligns with the Social Sciences lens' emphasis on understanding how technology influences social interactions and institutions within society.
Sample Answer
This analysis will explore the role of social media technology in shaping public discourse, using the general education lens of Social Sciences. Social Sciences encompass disciplines like sociology, political science, and communication studies, which offer valuable frameworks for examining the impact of technology on human interactions and societal structures.
Social Media and the Rise of "Filter Bubble" Effects:
Social media platforms utilize algorithms that personalize content feeds based on user activity and preferences. While this can personalize the user experience, it can also create "filter bubbles" where users are primarily exposed to information that