Social Media for Social Change

Considering the economic status of late, I feel it has become nearly impossible to provide every student with a personal computer and monthly internet access. A more realistic and practical goal would be to ensure every school has enough computers in a lab stetting available for use during the school day, after school and on the weekend. In addition to in-school resources, I feel sometimes educators tend to over look certain resources that are already out there, but just being overlook. For example, the public library. Because of the internet explosion, kids don't go to the library anymore for research; out of sight, out of mind. They forget that the public library has dozens of computers available for use, and not just for research purposes. Schools should have field trips to the libraries and reintroduce students to its purpose and function.

Schools could also organize a fundraiser for those students who arent fortunate enough to have access to a personal computer in their homes. This activity would not only enhance the students like throught the attainment and use of a personal computer, but also could function as a community-enrichment activity. Similarly, a teacher could start a blog site that talks about the stuggles for funding with a paypal link for people to be able to donate via the internet, if they dont happen to live in the same city or even state as the school/person in need. Students could open an online store and sell art work they create at school to raise funds (etsy.com).

Good examples of social media being used for social change would be:

1. Kiva : http://www.kiva.org/

Kiva's mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Kiva empowers individuals to lend to an entrepreneur across the globe. By combining microfinance with the internet, Kiva is creating a global community of people connected through lending.

Kiva was born of the following beliefs:

• People are by nature generous, and will help others if given the opportunity to do so in a transparent, accountable way.
• The poor are highly motivated and can be very successful when given an opportunity.
• By connecting people we can create relationships beyond financial transactions, and build a global community expressing support and encouragement of one another.

Kiva promotes:

• Dignity: Kiva encourages partnership relationships as opposed to benefactor relationships. Partnership relationships are characterized by mutual dignity and respect.
• Accountability: Loans encourage more accountability than donations where repayment is not expected.
• Transparency: The Kiva website is an open platform where communication can flow freely around the world.

As of November 2009, Kiva has facilitated over $100 million in loans.

2. The Well that Twitter Built : http://mashable.com/2008/09/19/the-well-that-twitter-built/
A certain dollar amount was donated for every click through. More websites with heavy traffic and socially aware user should dedicate at least one day to this kind of activity.

3. Etsy : http://www.etsy.com/
Users are able to sell their handmade goods. Promotes an awaness of the arts, and financial outlet and larger buying audience for people who struggle to sell locally.