Book Review
Aras Bozkurt
CONTEMP EDUC TECHNOL, Volume 8, Issue 2, pp. 191-194
ABSTRACT
In essence, every network is the sum of nodes and ties among them. In physical networks, it is difficult to track nodes and identify ties among them, especially when the scale is greater. While it is possible to track, identify and map physical networks, this possibility is limited in time, space and human capability. However, the ability to track and identify nodes and ties among them on digital networks is possible because every single click leaves a digital trace and we can track, identify, collect, and analyze these digital traces. In this context, social network analysis provides techniques, tools and approaches to practice social networking, while social network theory provides the conceptual background to interpret the network data. This is where this book steps in and provides a systematic walkthrough for those interested in social network analysis. With a special focus on social networking in digital networked spaces, “Analyzing Social Media Networks with NodeXL: Insights from a Connected World” explains how to practice social network analysis by using NodeXL software.
Keywords: social media, social networks, NodeXL, connected world
Research Article
Eylem Simsek, Ali Simsek
CONTEMP EDUC TECHNOL, Volume 4, Issue 2, pp. 126-137
ABSTRACT
The meaning of citizenship has usually been associated with the power of individuals in the process of social decision-making. Throughout the history, effective citizenship has required functional literacy skills as the fundamental factor for attending societal life. In the past, the 3Rs (writing, reading, and arithmetic) were considered to be enough for a normal citizen because people could communicate satisfactorily based on these skills in public spheres. They could also benefit through traditional literacy skills from the mainstream communication channels like newspaper, radio, and television. Depending on the linear characteristic of the mass media, participation of citizens was limited in the social arena. However, new communication technologies have changed the nature and scope of citizenship. New kinds of literacies have emerged regarding the new media such as Internet, Web, Twitter, blogs, YouTube, Facebook, mobile technologies and so forth. Today’s citizens are expected to attend social processes anytime and anywhere. Thus, they are required to have mastery in new literacies which allow them to use all kinds of emerging technologies to share their views and make their voices heard. In fact, this comes as a requisite for real democracy because digital citizenship is largely based on contemporary literacy skills in which the technology plays an important role. This paper elaborates various kinds of new literacies and discusses their relationships with the current practices of digital citizenship from a technological perspective.
Keywords: New literacies, Digital citizenship, Media literacy, ICT skills, Effective citizenship, Web 2.0, Social networks
Research Article
Filiz Tiryakioglu, Funda Erzurum
CONTEMP EDUC TECHNOL, Volume 2, Issue 2, pp. 135-150
ABSTRACT
Social network, particularly Facebook, can be defined as a unique online service, platform, or area where social communication and/or social relations can be established and individuals intensely share information. This definition implies that communication specialists should have more expertise and interest in social media than any other group of experts. Based on this assumption, the present study investigated the views and attitudes of instructors in the Faculty of Communication Sciences at Anadolu University in Turkey, which is a country where the total number of Facebook users ranks fourth in the world. The sample of the study consisted of 67 professors with various levels of academic titles. Data were gathered through a specially-designed survey form including 52 items in four subcategories. Results suggest that three fourth of instructors have a Facebook account and they spend less than half an hour per day on Facebook. There is no gender-related difference among the faculty in terms of attitudes toward Facebook. Instructors who are younger than 45 years old login Facebook on daily basis, while senior faculty login several times a week. Two in every three instructors use Facebook mainly as a tool of communication with friends. Finally, two thirds of the faculty think that Facebook can provide important contributions to social interactions among students as well as to communications between instructors and students.
Keywords: Facebook, Social networks, Communication technologies, Educational tools