2) Why did you apply to participate in the #SOTUSocial?
I wanted to help share the President’s message and show how real, every day, ordinary people can be involved and help make a difference.
3) Share the key moments you experienced while participating in the #SOTUSocial.
Meeting Press Secretary Jay Carney and simply walking into the White House.
4) What social media tools did you use to support your participation in the #SOTUSocial?
I used Twitter, Facebook, and also posted on Google +, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
5) After the #SOTUSocial, did you write or participate in any follow-up interviews for a blog, magazine, newspaper, radio station, or television station?
I wrote a blog post about my experience. Click here to read it.
6) Did you learn any lessons while participating in the #SOTUSocial?
My best lesson was to bring your own WiFi which I did.
7) What does digital citizenship mean to you?
Digital citizenship means to engage with people and access information about issues that matter to you by connecting with them online
8) How are you planning to stay engaged as a digital citizen?
I’m a digital communications manager and all over the web. I love managing, leading, innovating, and engaging communities of people through digital communications.
9) Share several ways Americans can use their digital presence and online network to engage civically on a local, state, and/or national level.
Anyone can make a difference and get involved! Opportunities are boundless in the digital world.
Today marks the launch of the Digital Citizenship (#DigCitizen) Project’s profile series featuring social media leaders who participated in the White House Social (#WHSocial) for the State of the Union (#SOTUSocial) and French Arrival Ceremony.
Meet Jason Knoll
1) Tell us who you are.
My name is Jason Knoll. I am a High School History and Government Teacher from Madison, Wisconsin. To learn more about me, visit my blog, http://jasonlknoll.com and follow me as @jasonlknoll on Twitter.
2) Why did you apply to participate in the #SOTUSocial?
I applied to the #SOTUSocial to show my students that social media can be used an effective tool to engage with our elected officials and representatives.
3) Share one to five key moments you experienced while participating in the #SOTUSocial.
I thought it was really cool to be able to connect with people beforehand using #SOTUSocial and then meet them and talk with them during the event.
I had a 15-30 minute conversation with my congressman in the airport as we waited to board our plane to come back home.
As a result of me live-tweeting, some of my students also live-tweeted, which led them to have interesting discussions with their classmates.
4) What social media tools did you use to support your participation in the #SOTUSocial?
Twitter
5) After the #SOTUSocial, did you write or participate in any follow-up interviews for a blog, magazine, newspaper, radio station, or television station?
6) Did you learn any lessons while participating in the #SOTUSocial?
Social media is here to stay, so it is best to embrace it and learn how to use it.
Take a look at Twitter to see some really cool work being done in the field of digital diplomacy.
7) What does digital citizenship mean to you?
Digital citizenship means using social media to engage with others about serious topics (i.e. policy), whether it is with a friend or an elected official. It also entails sharing information with others so that they can be involved in the public sphere.
8) How are you planning to stay engaged as a digital citizen?
I’m comfortable right now using primarily Twitter and my blog to stay engaged, and that I do not currently plan on using any other major social media platforms.
9) Share several ways Americans can use their digital presence and online network to engage civically on a local, state, and/or national level.
Tweet to elected officials about an issue.
Participate in Twitter chats with government agencies.
Photo Credit: Twitter.com
PS: The first #digcitizen Twitter chat will be held on Tuesday, February 25 at 9:30 p.m. EST (one hour). The topic is “Lessons Learned from #SOTUSocial and #WHSocial.” Follow me on @anandaleeke and use the #digcitizen hashtag.
January 29: The day after the event, I reached out to my fellow social media leaders on LinkedIn. As a result, I received an invitation to meet up with Jason Nellis, OverAchiever Media founder and a DC social media leader I missed meeting at the White House. We agreed to meet in person the following week to discuss our #SOTUSocial experiences.
#DigitalSisterhood Wednesday Shout Out to #SOTUSocial Women Leaders
I also gave my #SOTUSocial digital sisters a special #DigitalSisterhood Wednesday shout out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter that featured a collage of several women I met during the event.
Ananda at the #SOTUSocial White House Tour
January 30: The next day I wrote my first blog recap post about being a digital citizen and my journey to the White House, and recorded a podcast that discussed my definition of a digital citizen. I shared the blog post with my social media network and retweeted, shared, and commented on blogs, photos, and tweets by my fellow social media leaders.
Ananda’s #SOTUSocial Pinterest Board
I updated my #SOTUSocial Pinterest board with links to the social media leaders’ articles, blogs, and photos. I also visited WhiteHouse.gov and found blog posts and videos to add to the Pinterest board.
President Obama’s Virtual Road Trip
January 31: After visiting WhiteHouse.gov, I decided to deepen my social engagement with the White House by participating in President Obama’s Virtual Road Trip via Google Hangout. Click here to listen to my podcast about the event.
Jason Nellis and Ananda having fun hanging out at Tynan Coffee and Tea
February 3: I met Jason at Tynan Coffee & Tea and we recorded a podcast about our #SOTUSocial experience. Click here to listen (3 minutes).
Photo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov
I explored the WhiteHouse.gov blog to see if there were any ways I could deepen my social engagement this week. Guess what I found? A notice inviting social media leaders to apply to attend the White House French Arrival Ceremony Social (#WHSocial) on February 11. Since I am a Francophile (have been since my first French class in high school) and a digital diplomacy fan, I applied. You can too. The deadline is February 5 at 6:00 p.m. EST. Click here for details.
Photo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov – French President Hollande and President Obama
I also wrote a Tumblr blog post about my passion for France and desire to participate in the February 11th #WHSocial where President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will welcome French President François Hollande to the White House.
What’s Next: This week, I’ll be writing blog posts celebrating the dynamic women I met (for Digital Sisterhood Network’s blog), featuring the #SOTUChat highlights, and lessons I learned from the #SOTUSocial.
Did you participate in any State of the Union online activities such as the #SOTUSocial and #SOTUChat?
How did it feel to participate?
Ananda at the #SOTUSocial held at the White House
Click here to listen to my podcast (5 minutes) that highlights my participation in the State of the Union Social and how it reminded me of the importance of being a digital citizen, a concept I discussed during my talk on digital citizenship, digital sisterhood, and social media leadership at Spelman College’s Women Interactive Conference held in November 2013.
My Definition of Digital Citizen
A digital citizen is a person who uses her or his digital presence to mindfully share information and inspiration. Mindful sharing is thinking before you share your thoughts online and asking yourself if what you are planning to share will be helpful to others.
What is your definition of a digital citizen?
How are you planning to demonstrate your digital citizenship in 2014?
Ananda at the #SOTUSocial White House Tour
My Journey to the White House
I applied to participate in the State of the Union Social (#SOTUSocial) a few weeks ago. On January 20, I received an email from the White House indicating that I had been selected to develop and curate content, utilize the content to engage online communities, and live tweet at the #SOTUSocial (including the #SOTUChat panel discussion with White House officials and U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez after President Obama’s address).
Guess what? Over 6,000 applicants applied to participate in the #SOTUSocial. Only 60 social media leaders were chosen to visit the White House and attend the #SOTUSocial. What an honor to demonstrate my digital citizenship!
Click here to read my blog about my #SOTUSocial Group Tour to the White House (includes photos).
I developed three digital resources (one Pinterest board and two Twitter lists) to prepare for President Obama’s State of the Union address. Click here to read more about them.
Guess where I will be next week on Internet Geek Tuesday, January 28? Live tweeting at the State of the Union White House Social. Yes I said the White House. And I’ll be using my smartphone to access the Uber app to arrange my transportation home from the event.
Photo Credit: Uber.com
Have you heard of Uber?
Uber is a digital lifesaver for urban dwellers that was launched in 2009. Uber connects riders to drivers through its smartphone apps in over 50 cities in the United States and around the world.
Did you watch Barack Obama TV last night? If not, visit The Saavy Sista, one of my favorite blogs that gives me sista news, to watch the entire video: http://www.the-savvy-sista.com/2010/01/state-of-union-2010-full-video.html. You can also watch it on the White House’s YouTube channel a/k/a “Barack Obama TV” below.
I call President Obama’s television appearances “Barack Obama TV.” He takes over my entire being when he speaks. I am truly an Obama-ite! I watched the SOTU online via CNN.com and Facebook. Below are some of my thoughts captured during my Facebook viewing experience. Don’t you just love the Internet!
What did you think of our President’s State of the Union (SOTU) address for 2010?
Enjoy your day!
Peace, Joy, Gratitude, Compassion, and Hope that America will be restored with healthcare, education, jobs, and financial reform,
Ananda
My Facebook Comments
Summary of the SOTU – President Obama is an amazing leader. Let’s keep supporting him. Let’s make Congress accountable. Let’s serve our local communities and help each other out. Let’s offer HOPE. Let’s be realistic. Let’s take one step at a time. Let’s do what we need to do to make our lives, our communities, and America better. Enjoy your Wednesday evening and Thursday.
Yesterday at 10:12pm
Just saying no to everything is not leadership. Serving citizens not our ambitions. WOW President Obama.
CNN.com Live: State of the Union
Source: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2010/state.of.the.union/
Yesterday at 10:03pm via CNN
I like what he said that he is trying to change the tone of politics. This is a deep change.
CNN.com Live: State of the Union
Source: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2010/state.of.the.union/
Yesterday at 10:02pm via CNN
I think President Obama’s speech was right on time. HOPE for America and UNITY in Congress for healthcare.
CNN.com Live: State of the Union
Source: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2010/state.of.the.union/
Yesterday at 10:01pm via CNN
Speak the truth Prez about what America did for 8 years. Tell the truth. People can you hear it.
CNN.com Live: State of the Union
Source: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2010/state.of.the.union/
Yesterday at 9:56pm via CNN
President Obama’s Administration is the first time I have followed American politics on a daily basis. He and his team made me step up my game. Social media like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube really help me stay on track.
CNN.com Live: State of the Union
Source: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2010/state.of.the.union/
Yesterday at 9:54pm via CNN
I love what he said – All before I walked in the door. America has a short-term memory.
CNN.com Live: State of the Union
Source: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2010/state.of.the.union/
Yesterday at 9:52pm via CNN
Remind them President Obama about what you inherited. Keep it all in perspective folks. I loved how he just paused and gave the look of a brotha about to read folks.
CNN.com Live: State of the Union
Source: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2010/state.of.the.union/
Yesterday at 9:51pm
Ananda Leeke 