A.How have you personally used social media to engage in current events, at home and abroad?

-I do not usually use social media to engage in current events. This is really sad because I do not use and technology to keep up with current events.  I know I talked about this in my previous post but it is really sad to see how much I am clueless about.  I think that I am most aware of current events just through talking with friends and being in the classroom (and the occasional day when someone has something actually informative on their Facebook). But, if I am to use some source to catch up on current events, it would definitely be through social media. When I am at home in Arizona with my parents I find myself hardly ever using web based and mobile technologies. I think that it is mainly because I have them to update me on what is going on in the world and they have the news on TV a lot more than I do when I back here in Portland. Plus they get mad at me when I am not spending "family time" so that may also be why too.

C.How does social media and other online communication tools facilitate engagement in current events?

- Social media and other online communication tools facilitate engagement in current events in a much more convenient way. If you are trying to catch up on current events while watching TV then it is always on the TV's time and not yours.  By using websites such as ESPN, CNN, New York Times, etc. you can engage in all current events whenever you want. You can watch shows when you want, look up the scores of sports instead of waiting for them to show up on ESPN; it just makes its much easier for everyone. Something else that I have noticed as well is the fact that many times the news will show more of what is entertaining rather than news that should be reported.  Therefore, by going online you can look at what you want to see and not just what is entertaining to the audience.