For the most part what I learned during this project is the same thing I always learn when during a group project- people are difficult to organize with and manage. First, this is surprisingly not much more difficult online; true it is slightly more difficult as you have to wait for responses (which can take days), but all in all apathy is the same wether in person or through a computer. Secondly, it is just a matter of reality that there are those who will actively work toward a goal (even if it something they are not horribly interested in), those who do the bare minimum, and those who free ride and drag others down. Finally, most people are followers who will wait for someone to take the reins and tell them what to do, and if that person is not expressly specific in what they tell people those people (even if there are explicit instructions given to all) will inevitable place that onus onto the person who inevitable did what needed to be done.
Sorry for the rant, but I loathe group projects unless I get to choose who I want to work with, at least (and even then not so much)-- I know this is not always possible in the world; however, in the real world people are getting paid and that is a powerful tool in getting people to care about the final product and the initial effort.
Finally, I did learn a few things while doing this project. First, I learned what Google Alerts are-- pretty cool stuff that I'm sure I will be able to make great use of. It reminds me of RSS feeds but Internet Wide and subject specific, great idea! I also learned a lot about how social media can be used as a tool. Before last weeks lesson I still looked at social media and a personal vehicle for communication-- even though I have been getting used to corporations making use of the for a couple of years now. But after this project I can take a step back and actually analyze how well a firm is using social media to interact with consumers.
I for one, do not like being talked to by a company (as in traditional advertising), but to have a company offer interaction, or more specifically the power to opt in or out, even I am incline to look at a website for a company I do like. (this is truly profound as I have been an avid reader of Adbusters for over 10 years.
We covered all of the social media and web 2.0 heavy hitters and their use by EA (Electronic Arts): Facebook, Twitter, Twitrater, Google, Bing, Flickr, Instagram, Wikipedia, and Youtube. What I found most interesting, however, was the use of Flickr and Instagram to give users a window to see inside the offices of EA and from the point of view of the employees. I find this interesting because I don't think that it is necessarily the idea of the company to do this, but more of a spontaneous thing employees have don. It is an interesting perspective.
You can find the Wiki report here: https://ism3004.wikispaces.com/Electronic+Arts
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