Blogs Out Loud

 Hi Class, This week’s focus on community development really got me thinking about what makes a community different from just a network or an online group where things are posted. At first, it might seem confusing but after all, we often meet people through our networks and end up joining communities because of those connections. But the key idea is that a community is more than just a collection of people linked together. A community involves shared purpose, trust, interaction, and a sense of belonging, even if we don’t personally know everyone in it. It’s different from a network, which is more about individual connections and relationships. Also, an online community isn’t just a space where posts happen, it’s about meaningful engagement and mutual support. I’m interested to hear your thoughts: What do you think are the most important features that turn a group of people into a real community? - India Woods

 Hi Class,  In this blog, I wanted to talk about Twitter but now known as "X."  Writing these blog posts reminds me a lot of how "X" works such as sharing thoughts and ideas in a quick and engaging way that sparks conversation. While our posts here tend to be a bit longer, the way we share and connecting is very similar. Both platforms give us a chance to express ourselves, reflect on ideas, and interact with each other.  If you don’t already have an "X"  account, I’d encourage you to consider giving it a try. You will be able to stay informed about current events and build a network of people with similar interests whether personal or professional.  As you can see I've been referring to Twitter as "X" because the platform officially rebranded itself with that name which marked a significant shift in its identity and direction. Some people love the changes and others don't. Please see below an article that I wanted to share with you all a...

Hi Class, I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend and Happy Memorial Day! You might be wondering why I’m doing homework on a holiday, but honestly, I don’t have anything planned for today. It’s only 2PM, so I still have the whole day ahead of me if I decide to do something fun or relaxing later. Since I work a full-time job during the week, I try to take advantage of any free time I get, especially on weekends or holidays. This quiet window was the perfect chance to catch up on assignments without the pressure of juggling work responsibilities at the same time. Getting a few things done early helps me stay ahead and keeps my week from feeling overwhelming. Hope everyone is finding a balance that works for them and again, enjoy the holiday and take some time to recharge if you can! - India Woods 

Hi Everyone, After reading the article "Why Everyone Should Still Use an RSS Reader in 2025," I have to be honest, I had never heard of RSS before this! I’m not sure how I missed it, but I really had no idea about this awesome tool. Normally, I check each of my social media accounts individually to stay updated, but the idea of opening just one reader and tapping through newly published articles like I do with my email—COUNT ME IN! After reviewing week two module, Thank you Dr. V for providing the link to feeder because I signed up and this website is great because you even get notified instantly about new content allowing you to know what is happening right away.  - India Woods 

 Hi Everyone,  Hashtags are sooooo DOPE!!! In fact, every time I post on any of my social media pages, I create hashtags because they help my content reach a wider audience and connect with people who share similar interests. Hashtags make it easier for others to find my posts, whether I’m talking about something fun, promoting an event, or joining a trending conversation. They’re also a great way to express creativity and add personality to what I’m sharing. For example, I use hashtags a lot on TikTok because my goal is to reach 10,000 followers. I always post vacation content as well because I know people are interested in that.  Please see below an article I wanted to share with you all regarding hashtags. This article provides information about hashtags, disadvantages and advantages of using hashtags and how to use them.   https://www.ama.org/marketing-news/social-media-hashtags/ - India Woods

Hi Everyone, I hope you all had a great weekend! We’ve made it to week two, and I’m starting to get the hang of this whole blogging thing. Honestly, it’s not as intimidating as I first thought—in fact, it kind of reminds me of using Twitter, just with a bit more room to express myself. I’m enjoying the opportunity to share my thoughts in a more reflective way, and it’s been interesting to read everyone else’s perspectives too.  I really appreciate Dr. V for providing us with some topics to blog about because it’s been a big help. I think I would’ve struggled to figure out what to write on my own at first. Having a starting point takes off some of the pressure and helps me focus on developing my ideas.  I look forward to week 2 :) 

 Hi Everyone,  I wanted to share this link with you all that I believe will be very helpful as we grow as professionals. In the article, the author highlights two key points: how social media can be used as a college research tool and the importance of understanding privacy and appropriateness.  The importance of understanding privacy and appropriateness stuck out to me the most because sometimes we forget about how we interact on social media with our friends and how those interactions can be perceived by others including future employers, colleagues, or academic institutions. It’s a reminder to always be mindful of what we post and how we present ourselves online. The article uses the term "safeguarding" which means making our social media profiles private, being selective about what we share, and regularly reviewing our content to ensure it aligns with the professional image we want to present. If you're interested the link is below :) https://www.mefa.org/article/usin...

As I reflect on the term social media communities , to me it means having a support system online where you can connect with others who share similar interests or passions. In this blog, I wanted to share a social media community I'm part of called Carnival Cruiser s . I joined this group because I cruise frequently and I am currently Gold status with Carnival and working my way toward Platinum with my upcoming July 4th cruise to the Bahamas. In this community, members share travel plans, recommendations for things to do at different ports, and must-have cruise items which are often purchased from Amazon. These cruise items make the cruise experience more comfortable and enjoyable. The items are things such as luggage tag holders, magnetic hooks (since the cabin walls are metal), motion sickness remedies, cruise-approved power strips, and personalized door decorations. It's a fun and supportive space where fellow cruisers exchange tips, excitement, and helpful insights to make...

Hi Everyone,  I hope all is well! Summer classes have officially started, and it's time to get back to working toward our purpose — earning that degree we’re all looking forward to receiving. The two-week break we had before summer classes began was such a breath of fresh air for me. I was able to truly relax and not worry about schoolwork or writing papers (which is basically all I do as a Doctoral student — LOL).  Those two weeks flew by so fast! I did have moments where I felt like I was missing something because, for the past two semesters, I’ve always had something school-related going on. Now that summer classes are here, I’m back to doing schoolwork — and I lowkey missed it just a bit, only because it keeps me busy. Currently, I’m a little nervous about each of my summer classes because, after reading the syllabi, it looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me — especially papers! But on the bright side, all of my classes are online, so I don’t have to worry about comin...