Wrapping It Up

This semester has flown by! It seems like not to long ago I was deciding what I wanted to do for my Face book page and now the semester is over. As I am wrapping this semester up, we had one last blog about what we learned or benefited most from this class. This is a loaded question that probably could turn into a novel but I will try to keep it semi-short and sweet. 

I have learned so much in taking this New Social Media class. Before this class I was very unaware of the effect media has on me and everyone around me. It is easy to get consumed in it and have no idea the impact. This class however opened my eyes to the effects that media can have. I didn't realize there was such a broad range of things the media impacts. From religion, sex, democracy,  to learning, climate change and so much more. I know for me the week on sex and talking about how media portrays both men and women and their expectations hit home because I think it is something the media focuses a lot of it's attention on. Because it is such a personal subject it makes it easy for everyone to relate.

 It is the little things that make it easy to connect and get easily swallowed up in media. That was one of the big take aways for me this semester. We need to learn how to impact the media and not let it impact us so much. We can be the change we want to see in the world. We each have a voice and opinions on things. Being aware of what is going on around us, doing research and forming opinions is the best thing we can do. If we disagree we can voice it and hopefully make a difference even if it is a small one. If everyone did this, image what media would be like today. I know that seems a little out there and far off, but I think that's what this class also taught me. Nothing is too far or out of reach. If there is something you want to do or change, you can do it. Having the realization that you can do this is a little something I think everyone could use. I know it has changed me and my perception on the media and life in general. 

This class has been by far one of my favorites. I have learned so much and the things I learned I can apply to my everyday life. I learned so many more things then mentioned above but those are just to name a few. I hope to be better about my use and consumption of media in the future, and hopefully be a force of good. Thanks everyone for a great class! Happy summer to all! :)