As an assignment for a new class at BYU, students were asked by the instructor to start a blog and share a few thoughts on why they (the students) were interested in the class. This blog post is written to fulfill that assignment. The instructor is Dr. David Wiley.

I am very interested in new media/social media because I am a great proponent of learning in communities. I believe that there are areas in which we can utilize some of the new/social media technology to “broker” online relationships in many productive ways. My masters thesis centered on the idea of participatory democracy.

I am interested in the idea of “purposive creation” put forth in Dr. Wiley’s article “The Moral Imperative of Academic Instructional Designers and Technologists.” I believe that all “purposive creation” must be done within constraints, and the key to good design (of communities, instruction, etc.) is discovering the right constraints. The big question for me about communities is “How can we make human interplay productive?” Chris Alexander in his book A Pattern Language suggests, “Buildings and towns will not be able to come alive unless they are made by all the people in society.” I think that providing access to “purposive” online tools will help facilitate the participation of all.

So, in light of this brief introduction, I will post my notes from the article that is used as a basis for this class. I will elaborate in further blog posts about my deeper feelings about learning within the context of community.

ARTICLE: M. Russell Ballard, “Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet,” Ensign, Jul 2008, 58–63

Elder Ballard’s talk—Action items in outline
DIRECTION ACTION ITEM: Create your own sphere of influence

A.    World of the future
1. How will you use these marvelous inventions?
2. How will you use them to further the work of the Lord? (Be a force for good. Share the gospel.)
3. Make sure that the choices you make in the use of new media are choices that expand your mind, increase your opportunities, and feed your soul.
4. People use Internet search engines to hunt for topics about the Church.

B.    Why join the conversation
1. Can’t stand on the sidelines.
2. Conversations have impact.
3. Perceptions of the Church are established one conversation at a time and through one-on-one conversations.
4. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are reminded and encouraged continually to share the gospel with others.
5. The Church is always looking for the most effective ways to declare its message. This is the most important work that we can participate in.
6. Participate on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration.

C.    Suggestions/Examples as to what can be done
1. Start a blog  (Share the gospel every day. Record and post testimony, teachings from book of Mormon)
2. Download videos from Church and other appropriate sites, including newsroom.lds.org, and send them to friends.
3. Write to media sites on the Internet that report on the Church and voice views as to the accuracy of the reports. (It is essential that you are able to offer a clear and correct witness of gospel truths.)
4. Give pass-along cards

D.    Adopt a demeanor worthy of a follower of the Savior.
1. Be not “ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation”
2 . Stand firmly and speak with faith in sharing our message with the world. Many of you are returned missionaries and can carry on a meaningful conversation in the language you learned on your mission. Your outreach can be international.
3. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Contention is of the devil (see 3 Nephi 11:29).
4. Have a conversation, guided by the prompting of the Spirit
5. Remember the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ.

E.    Apostolic blessing
1. May the Lord bless each of you that you will have a powerful influence on those you come in contact with. As I said in the beginning, the power of words is incredible.
2. Let your voice be heard in this great cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ.