Connected Learning & Social Media

I really liked the article "Connected Learning" written by Steven Mintz as he starts off by quoting many articles that seem to think social media is terrible for our society.  However, Steven Mintz makes many good points as to why social media is a positive move in a world so filled with technology.  For example,  Mintz states that interaction does not always need to be face to face,  engagement in subject matter can take place in many different environments, what you have to say becomes more important that how you look, and peoples opinions can often become more valued by the public.  I absolutely loved these thoughts on social media, though I will always think there is a time and a place and it should't be utilized everywhere.  Social media allows people to get themselves out there, introduce themselves to a new world.  As an advocate for Tri Delta's concept of "Fat Talk Free Week" I will always value the idea of a positive body image.  And here on social media, yes, a positive image is still present.  Almost any site requires you to have a photograph of yourself, and if you leave it at the standard setting, well what does that say about you?  Are you lazy?  Have you not taken the time to figure out how to add it, and if you do add it, are you smoking or drinking, or are you in a nice dress or a suit and tie?  I find that face to face communication is a much better advantage for things like interviews, however, with social media you can expand yourself and promote your professionalism.  Not only is social media great for professional forums, but it allows knowledge to be spread worldwide in just seconds.  It allows reading and news to take new forms and allow people to educate themselves on the world around them, politics, illnesses and much more.  Social media can be used in classrooms to further educate students, and with a very high tech student body, what better way than to engage students through something they love and enjoy.  It may not be ideal in every subject area, or to be used everyday, but it is a great tool for teachers and students to utilize.