International Women's Day - Blog #6

International Women's Day has been celebrated every year since 1911.  It is a global movement that not only celebrates the social, political and business achievements of women, but it is a day that reminds us that women around the world are still fighting for equality.  It is a day the brings awareness to the rights of women and it is also an opportunity to celebrate the women in our lives.  International Women's Day is celebrated every year on March 8th.  

This year IWD campaign is #EachforEqual which encourages people around the globe to 

photograph themselves with their arms out front striking an equal pose. 

In this final post, we would like you to write a profile about a woman in your personal life or in the world that inspires you.  This woman will have made a positive difference in your life in some way. Think about why they are important to your growth and tell us a little about them, why they inspire you and how they've made an impact in your life.  Please include an image of this special woman on your blog post.   If you feel like you'd like to do something extra, you may also get someone to photograph you striking the equal sign as a way to show your solidarity for the women's rights movement. 

Quitting Social Media - Blog #5

When teenager Sonia Bokhari was in eighth grade her mother gave her permission to join social media.  Once she joined she was horrified to find that her mother had posted Sonia's hundreds of photos of Sonia on Facebook., and Sonia quickly learned that her life was not private.  Sonia was furious.   She felt betrayed and lied to.  

Click on the hyperlink below and read this article about Sonia's experience and how she eventually felt compelled to quit social media.  

I'm 14 and I Quit Social Media after Discovering What Was Posted About Me  

After reading the article share your observations.  What do you think about Sonia's response to her mother having posted images of her? Can you relate?  Explain your experience.  What do you think is the best use of social media for a young person?  What are your thoughts about parents' use of social media and their children.  Use 300 words to comment on this article.  

"Facebook is a Propaganda Machine" - Blog #4

Sasha Baron Cohen is known to many of us as an actor and a comedian starring in films like The Dictator, Bruno and Borat.  These films satirize political and social aspects of our modern world in ludicrous, uncomfortable and brilliantly funny ways.  SBC does not shy away from awkward and difficult situations.  He uses comedy and satire as a means to communicate certain truths.  

Sasha Baron Cohen (centre) is known for such comic characters as Ali G (left) and Borat (right).

Recently, Sasha Baron Cohen turned from comedy and took a serious stance against certain social media platforms' willingness to allow hate and propaganda to flourish.  He criticized FACEBOOK and its creator Mark Zuckerberg for lack of integrity because Facebook allows anything on its feed even if it's false, hate-filled, racist and antisemitic calling it a "propaganda machine." 

Watch the attached video of Cohen's criticism and comment on whether or not you think he is accurate in his observations.  In your response outline the 3 suggestions Cohen makes to Facebook and explain whether or not you think they would work in stopping propaganda to flourish.  

The Guardian - Nov. 2019

Instagrammers Lose Their Manners??? - Blog #3

Well - let's face it - you Centennials are most definitely the instagram generation!

Instagram has taken the forefront of being one of the most used social media platforms with 1 BILLION users monthly,  it is in 3rd place as the most popular social media platform.

Having said that - it seems like there is a group of instagram people who are forever living their lives through a series of images that they seek out to post on their profile.  Forever searching, stopping and taking what they hope will be the "perfect" photo.  This seeking out of the "perfect" photo however isn't without consequences.  For the poster,  some will say living their life through the lens isn't really living at all.  But what about looking at it from a different perspective - that of the owners of the places these Instagramers search to go to for that "perfect image"?  What kind of impact does it have on their lives? their places? their homes?

Seeking out the "perfect" photo - photo from Pixabay.com

Read the following articles - all examples of how the search for the "perfect" instagram photo can seriously impact other people.

Sunflowers

Lavender

Auschwitz

In your own blog post consider coming up with a set of rules that you think Instagramers should be following when it comes to posting or searching for that "perfect" image.  Respond to and reflect on each of the articles you read - what are you thoughts and feelings about what the kind of impact Instagramers had on each of the people.  Can you think of a personal experience where someone you were with were more occupied with instagram rather than spending time with you? Or have you caught yourself falling into this pattern of searching out the "perfect" image?  Tell us what you think!?!

Celebrity Opinions ... ? - Blog #2

The other day, famous Canadian Don Cherry, used his television platform to express a personal opinion.  After expressing his opinion, the network for which he worked for decided to let him go.

~ CityNews Edmonton

While I am not here to take sides, I think it is important to look at the bigger picture.

Celebrities, (musicians, actors, famous athletes) have many platforms and audiences in which they can share their personal opinions, beliefs and ideas that can influence the general public. What kind of responsibility should be placed on their shoulders?  How much of that responsibility comes from the public pushing them or is it self-assigned responsibility?

As young people using many of these platforms - what is your opinion on the roles and responsibilities that famous people have/don't have/should have when it comes to expressing an idea, a belief or an opinion?  Can you think of a time (find an example) of when a celebrity has used their status for good?

In your blog post - discuss the above questions and share with us one example of when someone famous has been able to use their celebrity status for the good of all.

No Phone During Class Time! - Blog #1

Mary Ward Students Using their Phones in Class - Powell

A ban on cellphones went into effect on Monday, it states that students can only use cellphones for educational purposes under an educator’s instructions, for health or medical purposes or for special needs. Read the following news article:

https://globalnews.ca/news/6133587/cellphone-ban-expert-opinion/

- Do you think cellphone use is a distraction in your classrooms even if it is for educational purposes?

- Do any of your teachers use activities on your cellphones during class time? Anything interesting?

- Do you think this ban is necessary?

- Do you think it’s important to limit cellphone use?

Blogging Rules

Image Source : socialmedia.biz

 Having an online presence can be a lot of fun, but also holds a lot of responsibility!  
Here are some key tips to remember when creating posts for your blog.

- Don't divulge personal information: use your FIRST NAME ONLY, don't give any details with regards to contact information, home address, phone numbers, last names of friends or relatives, instant messaging names, age, or birth date.

- No questionable photos of you or anything else: If you wouldn't show it to your grandma, don't post it on the web! Avoid posting photos of yourself.

- Remember the internet is permanent! Anyone on the Internet can easily print out a blog or save it to a computer.

- Use blogging provider sites with clearly stated terms of use, and make sure they can protect the actual blogs, not just the user accounts, with password protection. (Even so, it's better to assume anyone can see it.)

- Avoid trying to "out-do" or compete with other bloggers.

Image Source : livethegoodlifewithsara.com

- Keep it clean and positive: Our blogs are reflective of our Catholic values. Sexist, racist, homophobic, or any type of oppressive and offensive language will not be tolerated!