Free Online Course from edX: Social Media - How Media Got Social
About edX:
edX is one of the world’s leading online learning platforms, founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2012. It provides access to high-quality education from top universities and institutions around the world. The platform offers courses in diverse fields such as computer science, data analysis, business, languages, marketing, and psychology. edX’s mission is to make education accessible to everyone, everywhere, by providing flexible and self-paced learning opportunities that meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.
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Required Course: Social Media - How Media Got Social
Training Courses Announcement | Free Online Learning Opportunities
About the Course:
The “Social Media - How Media Got Social” course explores the history and development of social media, showing how communication evolved from early online networks to the globally connected platforms we use today. Learners will gain an in-depth understanding of the social, cultural, and technological transformations that have shaped digital communication and online communities. The course emphasizes how the rise of Web 2.0, mobile technologies, and participatory culture redefined the way individuals, organizations, and brands communicate and share information online.
Course Description:
Participants will study the evolution of digital media, focusing on the key milestones that transformed the internet into a social platform. The course also examines how social media influences society, relationships, and culture, and how businesses use it to build connections and market products. Through theoretical concepts and real-world case studies, learners will analyze both the opportunities and the challenges that social media presents in today’s digital world.
What You Will Learn:
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The historical development of social media and its early forms before the modern web.
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The transition from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 and the birth of participatory culture.
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The role of social platforms in shaping communication, collaboration, and identity.
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The impact of mobile technologies on making social media omnipresent in daily life.
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How social media platforms collect data, influence behavior, and drive social trends.
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Predictions about the future of social communication and the ethics of digital interaction.
Course Syllabus:
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Social Media before the Web – early networks and online communities.
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Web 2.0 and Participatory Culture – user-generated content and interaction.
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Social Platforms – the rise of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Social Goes Everywhere – how mobile devices made social media universal.
Instructors:
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Tama Leaver, Associate Professor at Curtin University, specializing in internet studies and digital media.
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Gwyneth Peaty, Lecturer at Curtin University, focusing on online culture and communication technologies.
Course Details:
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Language: English
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Certificate of Participation: Available upon completion.
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Course Fees: Free of charge.
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Platform: edX Online Learning.
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Start Date: Flexible, self-paced learning.
Why You Should Enroll:
This course is ideal for anyone interested in understanding the evolution and power of social media. Whether you are a student, professional, or social media enthusiast, you will gain practical insights into how digital communication has reshaped society, culture, and business. By completing this course, you will be able to critically analyze online trends, identify key social media patterns, and apply this knowledge in academic, professional, or personal contexts.
Company: edX