Course Code: intosocial
Duration: 14 hours
Prerequisites:

None

Overview:

Over the span of two days, this training course provides a comprehensive overview of social media's journey from its historical origins to its current landscape. Day one delves into the rich history and evolution of social media, exploring its pivotal milestones and technological advancements. Participants gain insights into the diverse array of social media platforms, categorized by type and exemplified through case studies. Moreover, they examine the mission and purpose statements of platform owners, delving into business models and ethical considerations. Day two shifts focus to Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), elucidating their significance in social media integration. Through discussions on API design principles and various access types, attendees grasp the fundamentals of building with social media APIs. Hands-on workshops provide practical experience, empowering participants to create applications and scripts utilizing API endpoints. By the course's conclusion, participants emerge equipped with a nuanced understanding of social media's evolution, platform dynamics, and API integration possibilities.

Course Outline:

Day 1: Understanding the History and Evolution of Social Media

Session 1: Introduction to Social Media

  • Definition of social media
  • Importance and impact of social media in modern society
  • Historical background: origins and early developments

Session 2: Evolution of Social Media Platforms

  • Timeline of major milestones in social media evolution
  • Key technological advancements driving evolution
  • Case studies of notable platforms and their impact on society

Session 3: Types of Social Media Platforms

  • Overview of various categories (e.g., social networking, microblogging, photo-sharing)
  • Examples of popular platforms in each category
  • Discussion on trends and emerging platforms

Session 4: Mission and Purpose of Social Media Platform Owners

  • Examination of mission statements of major social media companies
  • Analysis of business models and revenue streams
  • Ethical considerations and controversies surrounding platform ownership

Day 2: Exploring API Design and Access Types

Session 5: Introduction to Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

  • Definition and purpose of APIs
  • Importance of APIs in the context of social media platforms
  • Basic terminology and concepts related to API design

Session 6: API Design Principles

  • Best practices for designing effective APIs
  • Overview of RESTful architecture and its relevance to social media APIs
  • Case studies of well-designed APIs in the social media industry

Session 7: Types of API Access

  • Different levels of API access (e.g., public, private, partner)
  • API authentication methods (e.g., OAuth, API keys)
  • Security considerations and best practices for API access

Session 8: Hands-On Workshop: Building with Social Media APIs

  • Practical exercises using sample social media APIs
  • Participants develop basic applications or scripts utilizing API endpoints
  • Q&A and troubleshooting session