Using Technology

This week I've been exploring how others are using technology to promote change or to help build a better world. There are, of course, thousands of websites dedicated to various causes -- but how do they keep from getting lost in the shuffle? Some of my students have utilized Facebook to promote some of their causes, but often friends and family are the only ones that become fans or "like" their causes (and then never visit the page again). When it comes to promoting events, Facebook can be good at getting the word out, but people often post that they're attending events and never actually show up.

Blogs and podcasts are currently popular, and some have pretty strong followings. And -- believe it or not -- even Twitter can be used quite productively (for things other than finding out what some celebrity had for lunch today). Twitter is being used by social activists as a tool to keep people posted on critical events as they unfold, and to organize and mobilize people quickly.

I found a podcast series on iTunes called "Digital U: Social Media & Social Change," which explores how Facebook, Twitter and other social media can impact social change.

In exploring what types of educational materials were available online for teaching about conflict management and nonviolent change (besides iTunesU), I came across a site called LearnOutLoud.com that has a number of podcasts on a wide variety of subjects ranging from Arts & Entertainment to History to Politics to Science and everything in between. Some of the resources there are free, while others can be purchased. (If you just want the free stuff, you can click on a tab there labeled "Free Stuff.")

It was there that I found the Introduction to Nonviolence podcasts by Michael N. Nagler, which are recordings of his lectures during a semester course on nonviolent change. (Dr. Nagler wrote a book called "The Search for a Nonviolent Future" which I use for reference material for my Nonviolence class.)

A better site for accessing Dr. Nagler's class is at the Metta Center for Nonviolence which includes two of his courses, and provides the syllabus as well as some of the reading materials for each class. This site provides links to the podcasts through the UC Berkeley Webcast site, YouTube, and iTunes. Dr. Nagler also offers some additional podcasts on the topic of nonviolence through the Metta Center for Nonviolence.


Another university is also producing podcasts related to social change. Below is a link to some interesting podcasts that come out of the Stanford Center for Social Innovation:





So what are your thoughts on using social media for social change? What do you think are the most effective tools?