НАУЧНО-ПРАКТИЧЕСКАЯ КОНФЕРЕНЦИЯ «30-ЛЕТИЕ НЕЗАВИСИМОСТИ КАЗАХСТАНА: ДОСТИЖЕНИЯ И ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ» We cannot ignore the restrictions/limitations that are encountered when using social networks:
- Over-estimation of information resources
- Lack of fact checking
- Superficial approach, without deep analysis of environmental and social problems
- Incorrect expression of feelings and thoughts and as a response to this - hatred, shame
- Non-compliance with deadlines
- Plagiarism
At the same time, social networks, in particular Instagram, open up great opportunities:
- Access to resources (including educational ones)
- Communication (reviews, exchange of opinions, increase in the number of subscribers, influence on
subscribers, new connections)
- Openness in the virtual world (as opposed to speaking in an audience)
- Free opinion (not ashamed)
- Time and place (free choice)
- Involvement in eco-communities, development of eco-activism
- Searching for partners for social and environmental projects and start-ups
- Access to information, participation in various competitions
- Feedback, including monitoring the posts by parents and teachers,
- Formation of a new ethics.
I would also like to share some data obtained from a survey of student journalists about the effectiveness
and use of social networks, in particular when writing posts. In total, 34 first-year students were interviewed
on 15 questions within the framework of the discipline SDG: the journalistic aspect. First, the vast majority
of students listed Instagram as the most popular and user-friendly platform. Also, all students noted that they
expanded or deepened their knowledge by answering critical questions in posts about the SDGs, including
environmental, social and economic issues. At the same time, 99% of respondents emphasized that they had
previously discussed these topics with family and friends. In addition, everyone was unanimous that they were
interested in sharing and reading the posts of their classmates. When asked if the number of followers to their
posts on SDG topics increased, only 40% of students answered Yes, the rest answered No, noting that their
account was closed to external users.
65% of students agreed that they are more comfortable expressing their opinion when writing a post on a
social network online than participating in an open discussion in an offline audience. When asked how you react
to negative comments/ shaming in social networks, 85% of students emphasized that they do not pay attention
to them, but constructive criticism is accepted and taken into account in the future; 11% enter into a discussion,
leaving the last word to themselves, and only 1 student feels emotionally depressed, offended and does not
respond to comments. 91% of students noted that the critical questions posed about the SDGs motivate them
to take active practical actions and the desire to change their daily habits in order to become eco-friendly. Only
56% of respondents expressed their readiness to join eco-activists through social networks, but at the same
time, 65% are ready to participate in socially oriented projects/ start-ups/ eco-events of the university.
At the same time, the difficulties that students experienced while studying the course were identified:
language barrier, insufficient level of English proficiency -71%; insufficient basic knowledge in biology,
chemistry, physics (26%); the presence of a large number of unfamiliar scientific terms (15%); difficult topics
to understand (5%). It is curious that none of the students noted insufficient writing skills, although it is this skill
that requires constant improvement from journalism students. When asked what type of classes in the course
SDG: the journalistic aspect is most effective for students to gain new knowledge, 71% noted the discussion of
problems in practical classes, 41% - problems of understanding when writing posts on social networks, 35%
- analysis and presentation of their ideas and thoughts when writing an essay, 15% - participation in specific
eco-events and only 5% - listening to a lecture.
When asked whether you will continue to write posts on social networks on current environmental and
social topics after completing the course, 71% of students answered in the affirmative, the rest found it difficult
to answer. It is important to note that 88% of respondents agreed that the analysis of social and environmental
issues is in the course: SDG: journalistic aspect helps to develop their professional skills as future journalists.