Welcome to the Course “Social Media & Web Applications”. This is the 3rd course in the Caribbean School of Data (CSOD) INTRODUCTORY program that seeks to empower youth with the practical skills for today’s Digital economy. These courses are designed to address competency profiles in Digital literacy and Data skills that have become essential for the job markets of today and the future. Participants in this course “Social Media & Web Applications”, will acquire the essential practical competencies and skills that will equip them to effectively use social media and the world-wide-web for personal and professional activities.
Social media is one of the core services of the modern Internet, and understanding how to find, differentiate, and publish content using social media is an essential 21st century skill. This course introduces students to today’s primary social media platforms, and ways in which to use these tools effectively, while safeguarding individual safety and privacy.
Practical techniques are learned to install, configure and use the primary social media platforms. Students also learn about the benefits and disadvantages of social media, and are introduced to practical tips for gaining employment through social media.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Explain the concept of social media and understand the benefits and risks associated with using social media tools effectively
- Install, configure and use today’s primary social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
- Effectively use Search Engines and understand principles and techniques for Search Engine Optimization
- Interact, share and engage in digital citizenship through web and social media technologies
- Understand guidelines and take practical steps for protecting your privacy on social media
Who is this course for?
This course was developed for the participants in the CSOD INTRODUCTORY program and is designed for Youth between the ages of 16 and 29 who may (or may not) have prior knowledge or skills in using the Internet and other digital tools.
The course will provide a virtual community to work in, that includes other participants like yourself, your course facilitator, and potential mentors that will be an invaluable source of information, knowledge sharing, and creative ideas. We encourage you to participate in the discussions and activities which will be one of the most valuable things this course has to offer.
What do I need to Know?
Students should have successfully completed all modules and assessment quizzes in the previous courses:
- Foundations of Being Digital
- Productivity Tools For Digital Workers
How long is this course?
The overall CSOD INTRODUCTORY program is organized over 12 weeks and five courses. The courses are self-contained but together, they create a learning journey focused on getting you ready for the Digital workplace. We’ve designed the courses to be as interactive as possible. Each self-directed course will take approximately 1.5 – 3 hours per module to complete, and you should be able to complete each course within 2 weeks.
You can study the course at your own pace and we’ve designed each course to be flexible so it fits with your schedule, and you can move ahead if you have time or catch up when you need to. You should expect to spend approximately 5 – 8 hours per week for best results.
The Structure of the Course
The four modules in this course “Social Media & Web Applications” are illustrated below:
- Module 1 – Nuts and Bolts of Social Media: provides a brief introduction into the world of social media and some of it’s more common platforms, advantages and some of the risks in its use.
- Module 2 – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: From Likes to Tweets – provides a practical hands-on tutorial for installing and using the three most popular social media applications.
- Module 3 – SEO Web Applications: introduces students to the concepts, business applications and practices of Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
- Module 4 – Social Networking Issues: Netiquette, Copyright & Licenses – addresses core principles of good behaviour in online communities, and highlights the characteristics of being a good digital citizen.
You will complete the modules in sequence as you work through the course. Please note that all modules are locked, until the previous one is completed, so you have to completely finish each module and the related assessments in order to progress through the course.
