Many information communities of all sizes, shapes, and stripes are built on the concept of participation. Even before the internet, groups were organizing, sharing, and creating information resources as part of their culture. Participatory culture, defined by Henry Jenkins in Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture (2006), “is a culture with relatively low barriers to artistic expression and civic engagement, strong support for creating and sharing one’s creations, and some type of informal mentorship whereby what is known by the most experienced is passed along to novices” (p. 3). Networked technologies only amplify the possibilities for communities to form and thrive. When barriers fall away, participation is possible. This module explores community-created information resources and how participation can create positive outcomes. Consider what information resources your community is creating as you explore this module.
Module 7 Lecture
- Lecture: Web Version
- Slides: Download Community-based Information Sources here
- Video File: Download Video Podcast
- Audio File: Download Audio Podcast
Module 7 Readings
Things to Read:
- “LLACE Community Archives” (Wakimoto et al.)
- “Social Media Fatigue” (Kwon et al.)
- “Group ID and Online Info” (Flanagin et al.)
- “Social Media Collective Action” (Pang & Goh)
- “YouTube Peer Socialization” (Balleys et al.)
Things to View:
Things to Explore:
- “DIY History” (U of Iowa)
- “Crowdsourcing COVID on Reddit” (Smith)
- “Microcelebrity Activism” (Tufekci)
- “Occupy & Library Myth” (Lingel)
- “YouTube Lockdowns Behavior” (Mejova & Kourtellis)
See also: A complete list of Module 7 readings
References:
Jenkins, H. (2006). Confronting the challenges of participatory culture. Chicago, IL: MacArthur Foundation.