Practically Speaking – Page 9 – News from the Communications Department

No more media: Is it all just one medium?

January 1, 2016March 29, 2014 by Marcella LaFever

Guest Blog by Lindsay Lindholm:

Media convergence theory has been created by the advancement in technology, computer networking, and the shift to from analog to digital telecommunications. Media convergence is the amalgamation of communications, technology, and digital data.

Media formats consolidated into one large corporation

Traditionally we would receive media from one source such as a television, a radio, a book, newspaper or, a magazine. Each medium was transmitted to us by companies that specialized in the media they delivered. Today we see large corporations that have many companies of specialized media formats consolidated into one large corporation.

How Does Media Convergence Relate to Social Media?

Social media has turned media into a two-way conversation between the media providers and the consumers. Consumers of media can use social media to interact with the providers, and fellow consumers. Media providers can provide new forms of content that are possible because of digital technology. For example, television producers can allow viewers to interact with a shows outcome by having viewers send comments or even vote on an outcome like contestants or plot direction. Intellectual property rights can create a clash between users participating in this new style of conversation, a protocol will develop as this culture continues to be defined by those participating.

How Do Media Convergence and Social Media Benefit Non-Profit and Social Enterprises?

Media convergence enables non-profit and social enterprises the opportunity to use several social media tools, to develop a relationship with supporters and consumers. Not-for-Profit organizations can utilize social media tools to become media providers and communicate their message; they are no longer limited to expensive advertising campaigns in traditional forms of media.

Resources for More Information on Media Convergence

Image permissions received from: Matt Proctor, Fred Cavazza, Brian Solis and JESS3

Online access:

Videos:

Henry Jenkins – What is Media Convergence?
Henry Jenkins – Lecture at Google in Cambridge, MA.

Keywords: Media Convergence, Convergence Culture, Digital Media Convergence

Hashtags: #mediaconvergence #digitalconvergence #convergencetheory

@LdLindholm [Twitter]

Integrating social media into small business: Diffusion of Innovation Theory can help

January 1, 2016March 21, 2014 by Marcella LaFever

Guest Post by: Rowena Nichols

Have you ever felt like the person on the other end of the phone, not understanding the technology of today? I know I sure have. Maybe you feel more like the little guy trying to tell Grandma how to get connected to the internet. If so you’re probably younger than me!

If you’re from Generation Y (aka Gen Y) technology probably comes second nature to you. Social Media even easier right? Which is why, in the article “Bringing Social Media to Small Business: A Role for Employees and Students in Technology Diffusion” (Bakeman, M.M. and Hanson, L.), the authors promote the idea that today’s small business owner could get ahead by hiring young, social media “savvy” employees.

Based on the “Diffusion of Innovation” theory (Rogers, E.M.), which assesses the rate that new technology or social ideas spread through society, Bakeman and Hanson suggest that for small businesses to increase their social media marketing edge, as well as being competitive with corporate companies and their big IT budgets, they should be looking to recruit recent college graduates. Social Media is part of life for these “up and comers” and tapping into this ingrained knowledge of social media platforms has proven benefits. Post-secondary programs are starting to integrate courses on the use of Social Media in business into their programs.

The Diffusion of Innovation theory has the following five categories of adopters:

Gen Y has grown up using Social Media and this kind of ingrained expertise shouldn’t be frowned upon but rather embraced and utilized. Today’s business requires a social media presence and is increasingly becoming a key to business success.

For more online sources of information on this topic here are some helpful links:

Robinson, L. (2009) A Summary of Diffusion of Innovations, Enabling Change.

Boston University School of Public Health (2013). Diffusion of Innovation theory.

Orr, G. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations by Everett Rogers (1995)

Nichols, R. (2014) Diffusion of Innovation & Small Business [videorecording]

Shivers, G. D. (2010). First Follower: Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy. [videorecording]

Keyword tags: #diffusion, #socialmedia, #Analytics, #Marketing, #innovation

Comments appreciated: @rowena_nichols [Twitter]

Social Media: Can I use that Image?

January 1, 2016March 11, 2014 by Marcella LaFever

Guest post by Eric Meerstra:

When using Social Media, the issue of copyright is very important. You don’t want to post copyrighted material and get into trouble, or have other people steal your copyrighted material that you posted. You need to know what content you are allowed to use, where you are allowed to use it, and what the social media and other users of that social media are allowed to do with your work. And before you chase down anyone using any of your work, you need to consider the ‘Fair Use’ defense.

What is copyright?

It is a legal concept that grants the creator of an original work these rights to its use.

Reproduce
Display in public
Create derivatives based on original work
Distribute, sell, and rent

Social Media Sites + Copyright

Social media sites all have you agree to their terms of service. They all include a section about how they deal with copyrighted material. They need to define this because they would be breaking the copyright law by displaying things posted to the site, without permission to display it. This only gives them permission to use it on their own site; they do not gain the copyright, only certain specific rights. From the point of view as a user of the social media, you do not get permission to use any copyrighted material you find on social media. It is still copyrighted.

Keywords to look for in Social Media terms of services are:

Non-exclusive; Transferrable; Sub-licensable; Royalty-free; Worldwide License

Follow this link to view an article about Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram terms of Service about copyright

Users + Copyright

There are 4 ways to post copyrighted material to Social Media as a user.

Get the creator’s permission and credit him properly
Purchase works or content so it belongs to you
Create your own Copyrighted Content
Use works/content without the owners permission using the Fair use law(next)

Social Media Users + Fair Use

Fair use is doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material for specific reasons without acquiring permission from the rights holders.

Specific reasons include:

Teaching / Scholarship/ Private study / Research
Criticism / Satire / Parody
Canadian Copyright Law to view the other reasons

4 Questions to find out if Fair Use applies to you

Do you understand Fair Use?
-If not, don’t try to use it.
Why are you using the content?
-Use only for reasons in Canadian Copyright Law
How much of the content are you using?
-Does it fit the “limited” criteria of fair use?
Are you willing to have your content contested?
-Fair use could lead to legal battles if people feel you are not following it properly

Links to more information:

Professional Writers Association of Canada members share thoughts on professional writing

January 13, 2016March 2, 2014 by Michelle Riedlinger

Five Fraser Valley writers are visiting UFV’s Abbotsford Campus on March 12 to talk writing with students, graduates and others. Here’s a taste of what they’ll share at the event.

Kathleen Rake is founder of Click Media Works. She has more than 20 years of professional experience writing and editing for social media, magazines, newspapers, industry, government, non-profit, small business, and the web. I asked her about the valuable advice she learned from her mentor(s).

Some important advice from one of my mentors, paraphrased is:

“Write to express, not impress”.

Heidi Turner is an award winning writer who specialises in business writing and grant proposals. She has published on CBC.ca, Just Dance Magazine and Business Fraser Valley. I asked her what advice she’d give to people starting out their careers as professional writers.

Know what you are worth. By graduating from a writing program, you are already more prepared than 90 percent of the people out there who call themselves writers.

When you’re applying for a job or setting your rates as a freelance writer, don’t sell yourself short. Charge what you’re worth, even if you’re just starting out.

Janet Love Morrison’s writing has appeared in publications including the Pique Newsmagazine, Ski Canada, The Globe and Mail. I asked her to tell us something about her writing process.

Before I start to write, I meditate and become clear on my intent – what I want to share. It’s not about me, it’s about how my writing serves the bigger picture.

I feel we have to be careful with the word “influence”. Are you writing from another’s beliefs or your own? I don’t seek anyone’s approval.

Lynda Grace Philippsen’s reviews, essays and feature stories have appeared in various journals, newspapers and magazines nationally and internationally. She is also the current president of the Fraser Valley chapter of the Professional Writers Association of Canada. I asked her what she loved most about being a professional writer?

Living the dream, in the Joseph Campbell sense:

If you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.

Nothing can touch that. And sometimes somebody pays me to do that. Bonus.

Ronda Payne is a full time copywriter, freelancer and creative writer. She is a regular contributor to a variety of publications and also has a number of books and stories on the go. I asked her if she had a favourite quote that sustains her through her writing.

“Look then into thine heart and write” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow .This has been one of the quotes that sustains me and keeps me going. Just write.

When that isn’t doing the trick, I’ll go with one I created. You know the song “It’s a pirate’s life for me” they play in the pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland? I modify that to sing: “It’s a writer’s life for me”

And then, when all else fails, I remind myself of what sports columnist Red Smith said, “You simply sit down at the typewriter, open your veins, and bleed.”

All students and recent UFV graduates who love writing are welcome to attend the March 12 event. This is your chance to make connections with people who share your passion.

Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Place: UFV Campus A225/229
Cost: FREE! Admission by pre-registration only. Wine and refreshments will be served at intermission.

To pre-register contact Michelle.Riedlinger@ufv.ca by Friday March 7, 2014.

Pre-registration prizes include:

Lunch at Restaurant 62 with Andrew Holota, Editor of The Abbotsford News
Three one-hour coach and connect sessions with a PWAC member
Lunch at Restaurant 62 with UFV Writer-in-Residence, Daniela Elza

….and more!

Get Lucky at UFV’s Professional Writing Event on March 12

January 13, 2016February 20, 2014 by Michelle Riedlinger

University of the Fraser Valley students and graduates interested in careers as professional writers will be treated to some free advice from local writers next month. Members of the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) will be on the Abbotsford campus to talk about Writing for a Living.

Designed to help participants find the paths into professional writing, the March 12th evening event features panelists who will answer questions and network “speed dating-style” with writers who are just starting out.

“We’ve all been there,” said Lynda Grace Philippsen, President of Fraser Valley PWAC. “We all relied on mentors and know how important this is. Networking is a huge part of success as a professional writer whether you are beginning or established in your career. We’re excited about the chance to work with UFV students.”

This community-based event is a first for Fraser Valley PWAC but support for the event has been generous.

Lynda confirms, “The energy is great. Student organizations, the Alumni Association, and UFV Departments have come together with us to create the Writing for a Living event and provide sponsorship.”

The Abbotsford News has also stepped up to offer its support to the event.

Since its foundation more than 25 years ago PWAC has welcomed student and associate members who receive most of the benefits of full membership without being required to meet the criteria for publication. Those benefits include a press card, mentoring, networking, references, professional development, information about job opportunities and much more.

“Students get all that for the price of one calorie-rich specialty coffee a month. Really, it’s all win-win,” notes Lynda. As an added bonus, students who are already PWAC members in the year that they graduate can continue their student membership at the student price one full year after graduation.

All students and recent UFV graduates who love writing are welcome to attend this event. This is your chance to “get lucky” and make connections with people who share your passion.

Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Place: UFV Campus A225/229
Cost: FREE! Admission by pre-registration only. Wine and refreshments will be served at intermission.

To pre-register contact Michelle.Riedlinger@ufv.ca by Friday March 7, 2014.

Pre-registration prizes include:

Lunch at Restaurant 62 with Andrew Holota, Editor of The Abbotsford News
Three one-hour coach and connect sessions with a PWAC member
Lunch at Restaurant 62 with UFV Writer-in-Residence, Daniela Elza

….and more!

Mixing it Up with Social Media

January 1, 2016February 7, 2014 by Marcella LaFever

Guest posting by Russell Arbuthnot:

We all interact with someone (or something) on a daily basis – it isn’t a new or groundbreaking concept. Social media, however, has allowed us to break free from the traditional methods of interaction. In the past, interactions between customers and businesses would typically be face to face or over the phone. Now, with the many social media platforms at our disposal, oftentimes we don’t even have to speak to anyone (in the traditional sense). We tweet our thoughts, we “like” Facebook posts and we “pin” stories and pictures with businesses all the time.

Companies have discovered how to latch on to the social media phenomenon and create an online presence with their content. Twitter and YouTube have pushed the concept of viral marketing into hyperdrive – if a marketing strategist comes up with the right idea, at the right time, on the right platform, exposure and attention directed at their business can increase dramatically.

For example, after Oreo stole the show during last year’s Super Bowl, JC Penney tried to cash in on some free marketing of their own. They interacted with their audience, who in turn interacted with their peers, leading to a successful marketing campaign. Here’s what the company tweeted on during the Super Bowl:

Exhibit 1:

This was followed by:

Tweet 2

And finally:

Effective? Judging by the amount of retweets, favourites and attention they received, I’d say it a marketing ploy well executed. I certainly don’t follow JC Penney on Twitter, but I was made well aware of their social media presence on Sunday.

This is just a brief example of interactivity on social media. Of course we can observe many instances of customer service and public relations type interactions over social media as well. A company’s ability to resolve customer issues and complaints through social media is one of the most effective ways to build and maintain a positive reputation. The truth is social media is still in its infancy and companies and consumers will continue to discover and innovate with new ways to interact through the medium.

If you’re interested in learning more, you can watch my Prezi and tweet me @RussellAcademic.

Please tweet during class – Welcome to CMNS 316

January 1, 2016January 18, 2014 by Marcella LaFever

Well known social media marketing consultant, Wendy McClelland, gave a well-received presentation last week to the newly launched CMNS 316, Communicating for Social Media. Wendy’s enthusiasm for leveraging the power of social media got the class hyped up and ready for this brand new course at the University of the Fraser Valley.

Twenty-five students slowly got the hang of using Twitter to write their notes instead of pulling out pencil and paper, and took the opportunity to tweet questions for Wendy to answer. The classroom was rife with electronic/digital/mobile technology with one projector and screen for Wendy’s slides and another for the Twitter feed; not to mention all the laptops and cell phones.

In the upcoming sessions of the course, students from the Communications, Business, Computer Information Sciences, Global Development Studies and other departments will be a exploring topics from social media theory to the latest digital tools and applying their knowledge to various forms of social media writing practices. Each participant will be part of a small team that will pitch a social media plan to a local not-for-profit or social enterprise. Clients include the Abbotsford Food Bank, Yarrow Ecovillage, Fronya Boutique, Family Life and the Mission Folk Festival.

If you are tired of being told to put your cell phone away during class, think about signing up for a course that improves your social media game and encourages you to friend, like, and tweet while the instructor is talking.

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Dr. Marcella LaFever (University of New Mexico, 2005) is an Associate Professor in the Communications Department at the University of the Fraser Valley. She specializes in intercultural communication and brings that expertise to various subjects such as communication for workplace, instruction, social media, team and public speaking contexts.

Abbotsford Today Editor Visits UFV CMNS/JRNL 300 Class

November 11, 2013 by John Vigna

(Article Written by Valerie Franklin, Student CMNS/JRNL 300)

John Vigna’s CMNS/JRNL 300 students got a chance to learn from one of Abbotsford’s most experienced newsmen when Mike Archer, editor and co-founder of the local news website Abbotsford Today, paid a visit to their class last Thursday. During his hour-long talk, Archer drew on his 20 years of experience in the media industry to answer students’ questions about editors’ standards, journalism ethics, the job market, and the world of online news writing.

Although he offered plenty of positive advice, it was often balanced with candid warnings of what young journalists might face. Because of the competitive nature of freelance journalism, he encouraged students not to be disappointed if they have to spend years working their way up.

“When you’re looking for work, your idea of being a journalist or a writer may always not conform to the thing you get offered,” Archer says.

A recurring theme in his advice was the importance of developing strong writing skills while in school.
“I’d like you to start thinking of yourselves as writers before you think of yourselves as journalists,” he says. “If you can tell a story, I can teach you how to tell it the way I want it told.”

The highlight of the class was a mock editorial meeting where we pitched and tested our news story ideas with Archer.

(For every class, we conduct mock editorial meetings in small groups, summarizing the news for our own “beats”. There are six groups of 4-5 students. Each group has a different beat that they cover and update the class on weekly: Local news, Provincial news, National news, International news, Business news, and Arts/Culture/Sports/Quirks & Quarks. We test our pitches within our own editorial groups and then present them to the class to receive feedback. The exercise teaches us how to breakdown basic news stories and how to critically reflect on and communicate those ideas in brief pitches as you would in a newsroom).

Archer received students’ pitches for news stories and organized them according to the newspaper section they would fall under. Pitches included colony collapse disorder among bees, racial tensions in Britain, Australian smoking advertisements, black market gasoline, and an escaped sex offender who recently slipped over the Canada/US border.

Archer marked stars next to two of the pitches, black market gas and colony collapse disorder. He explained why these topics might make the front page when others might not: each story had deeper implications, an element of the bizarre, possible human interest angles, and the potential for catchy headlines with words like “panic” and “black market”.

As editor of Abbotsford Today, Archer is naturally interested in the trend away from traditional media and toward online news sites. Students were asked what they use for their main news source, and, predictably, none of the answers involved print.

“I use Twitter or iPad apps,” said one student. Others agreed, saying that they used their phones and social media sites to follow the news.

“With the news on Facebook, you can leave a comment or see what other people think,” another said.

Archer enjoys online journalism because it allows editors and journalists more freedom in what they want to write about and when they can publish it. The interaction between writers and their audience also appeals to him.

“Media is much more driven by the audience today,” he says.

Although online journalism is becoming increasingly popular as a career, Archer warned students that journalists are often at the bottom of the food chain in the media business. He also cautioned students to do their research before plunging into a new job.

“Take your time looking at the newspaper, the television station, the radio station, the website that you’re thinking of applying for a job at,” he says. “Do they fit your worldview? Do they fit your opinions? Do they fit your idea of what media is about?”

Before leaving, Archer offered the class an open invitation to write for his website. Many of Abbotsford Today’s unpaid contributors are aspiring journalists looking for real-world experience – a perfect opportunity for students.

“I want you to write about whatever you’re interested in,” he says. “I don’t just want you to get published. I want you to get published in a way that’s going to help you.”

Where’s the salt?

January 13, 2016September 19, 2013 by Michelle Riedlinger

I just attended a risk communication workshop put on by the BC Water and Waste Association. James (Jim) Hoggan, from the communication consultancy Hoggan and Associates and Chair of the David Suzuki Foundation inspired me to write this post.

Jim has been travelling around the world, interviewing communication reearchers, cognitive psychologists and spiritual leaders (even the Dali Lama) on public trust. Jim asked them all why, when all the scientific evidence points to the need for urgent, global environmental action, are we doing so little?

Jim has put all of this into a new book, The Polluted Public Square. He got the name for this book after talking to Dan Kahan from Yale’s Law School, who believes that public conversations can be polluted in the same way that the environment can be polluted.

Industry public relations experts and environmental advocates are jointly to blame for this polluted public square, according to Jim. He says that the polarization and disagreement we see from scientists, government, industry and advocacy groups on environmental issues is equivalent to hearing people shouting outside our homes. He quotes Linguistics professor, Deborah Tannen:

When you hear a ruckus outside your house you open the window to see
what’s going on. But if you hear a ruckus every night you close the shutters
and ignore it.

People are tuning out because environmental issues seem unsolvable, and while Jim doesn’t profess to have all the answers, he’s devoted a good chunk of the last few years trying to tune people back in to public debate. But communicating in a polluted public square requires us to take different approaches. Jim quotes Psychology professor Jonathan Haidt:

“I’m right, you’re wrong. Let me tell you what you should think” doesn’t
work because we all think we are right.

From Jim’s conversations with Haidt, he came to understand that humans are wired for ‘group righteousness’, and that we need to step outside this frame to reach others. Jim says that not demonising the opponent makes sense in theory but people have a hard time resisting. Harvard Public Policy lecturer, Marshall Ganz told Jim to watch Al Pacino’s locker room speech scene for inspiration.

Jim wants to see a compelling sustainability narrative that incorporates environmental information but also focuses on fairness and justice — an emotional dialogue. Jim says that people need to tell their own story and then tell the ‘story of us’ as a population and what we stand for. We won’t find this story without listening.

“Ghandi had salt to bring people together,” Jim says. “Find the salt.”

Getting Involved with Truth & Reconciliation

January 1, 2016August 1, 2013 by Marcella LaFever

http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index.php?p=26

September 18th has been designated as a “Day of Learning” by the University of the Fraser Valley, not only about the residential school experience of Canada’s First Peoples, but about the long-term and long-ranging effects of the experience of colonialism and the oppressive/degrading attitudes of the colonizers of North America. I am excited about being able to involve all my Fall 2013 students in some aspect of this learning as well as learning for myself and how I can use materials in future years.

Here are some of the ways I will be engaging in the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) dialogue with my students in my introductory CMNS courses: 125 and 155 Online, and in 180 (Intercultural Communication).

After doing some in-class orientation to the Day of Learning all students will have a related assignment:

– a choice of a) participating on campus in either Abbotsford or Chilliwack on September 18, b) engaging in an online activity related to the residential school experience (for online students) c) traveling to Vancouver to participate in the learning events taking place on the PNE grounds, d) participating in the walk from Coqualeetza, and e) volunteering to assist with the Sept. 18 events at the Abbotsford campus.

– For CMNS 125, 155 a requirement to write a workplace memo about their experience and learning

– For CMNS 180 to write a personal reflection essay

Most of all I am excited that the intercultural communication regular class time actually falls on Wednesday September 18 and will allow those students to participate in preparatory work, volunteering and a learning session designed specifically to fit into a topic they would be studying in class: identity and values. They will be helping to host a campus-wide learning session from 6-8 PM on that evening.

Have you thought about how you can get your students involved? It would be great to see some comments here about your ideas. Maybe they will spark other instructors to get involved as well in all disciplines and departments.

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