Introduction to Persuasive Technology – Understanding Persuasive Tech – Tech designed to change attitudes or behaviors. – Social media’s persuasive methods – Platforms use likes, shares to influence users. – Recognizing persuasive techniques – Techniques include notifications & tailored content. – The value of awareness – Being aware helps in making informed choices online. | This slide introduces the concept of persuasive technology, particularly in the context of social media. Persuasive technology is any form of tech that is designed to change a user’s attitude or behavior. Social media platforms use various persuasive techniques such as likes, shares, and personalized notifications to engage users and influence their behavior. It’s crucial for students to recognize these techniques to navigate social media responsibly. Awareness of these methods allows users to make informed decisions about their online interactions and consumption. Discuss examples like how notifications are designed to draw users back into the app or how algorithms recommend content to keep users engaged longer.

Understanding Persuasive Technology – Define persuasive technology – Persuasive technology is designed to change attitudes or behaviors through persuasion and social influence. – Everyday examples – Fitness apps nudging for workouts, e-commerce sites recommending products. – Persuasive tech in social media – Social media uses it to increase engagement, showing content based on user behavior. – Impact on user behavior – It’s crafted to influence actions, like sharing content or responding to notifications. | This slide introduces the concept of persuasive technology, which is a facet of design intentionally created to influence human behavior or attitudes. The term was coined by B.J. Fogg, and it’s become increasingly relevant in the digital age. Examples include fitness apps that encourage users to exercise or e-commerce platforms that suggest products based on browsing history. In social media, persuasive technology is used to tailor content to users, encouraging them to spend more time on the platform and engage with the content. Discuss the ethical implications and the importance of being aware of these techniques to foster critical thinking about technology use.

Techniques Used in Social Media – Persuasive strategies online – Tactics like scarcity, social proof, and reciprocity engage users. – ‘Nudging’ in interface design – Subtle design elements guide user behavior without force. – Influence of ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ – These metrics create a sense of approval and belonging. – Impact of notifications – Alerts keep users engaged and returning to the platform. | This slide aims to shed light on the various persuasive techniques employed by social media platforms to engage users. Discuss common strategies such as scarcity (limited time offers), social proof (user testimonials), and reciprocity (give and take). Explain ‘nudging’, a concept in UI/UX design where choices are presented to users in a way that subtly encourages certain behaviors. Highlight how ‘likes’, ‘shares’, and ‘notifications’ serve as social validation and trigger dopamine release, reinforcing user engagement. Encourage students to critically analyze their interactions with social media and recognize these persuasive elements in their daily use.

Psychology Behind Persuasion in Technology – Cognitive biases influence – Biases affect our choices unconsciously, like buying popular items. – Social proof & authority – We often trust and follow actions of experts or large groups. – The FOMO effect – Fear of missing out drives people to stay connected and engaged online. – Impact on decision-making | This slide delves into the psychological aspects of persuasion, particularly within the realm of technology and social media. Cognitive biases are tendencies to think in certain ways that can lead to systematic deviations from a standard of rationality or good judgment. They can be leveraged by marketers to influence consumer behavior. Social proof, where people copy the actions of others in an attempt to undertake behavior in a given situation, and authority, where people follow the lead of credible, knowledgeable experts, are powerful tools for persuasion. The FOMO effect is a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent; this is especially relevant in the context of social media usage. Understanding these concepts is crucial for developing critical thinking skills and media literacy. Encourage students to think critically about how these factors influence their own technology use and decision-making.

Ethical Considerations in Persuasive Technology – Distinguishing persuasion from manipulation – Persuasion respects choice, manipulation exploits it. – Principles of ethical design – Ethical design prioritizes user well-being and informed consent. – Upholding user autonomy – Autonomy involves users making their own choices without coercion. – Safeguarding user privacy – Privacy includes users’ control over their personal information. | This slide addresses the fine line between ethical persuasion and unethical manipulation in technology. It’s crucial to discuss how persuasive technology should be designed ethically, with a focus on enhancing user well-being and ensuring informed consent. Highlight the importance of protecting user autonomy, allowing individuals to make their own choices without being covertly influenced. Additionally, emphasize the need for privacy safeguards to ensure that users have control over their personal data and are not subjected to invasive data collection practices. Encourage students to think critically about the persuasive technologies they encounter and the ethical implications of their design and use.

Managing Persuasive Technology – Mindful social media usage – Be intentional with time spent on social platforms – Tools to manage screen time – Use apps to track and limit time spent on screens – Tools to control notifications – Customize notification settings to reduce distractions – Critical thinking online – Evaluate the credibility of information and sources | This slide aims to equip students with strategies to manage the influence of persuasive technology, particularly social media. Encourage students to be intentional and mindful about the time they spend on social media, using it purposefully rather than habitually. Introduce tools and apps that can help track and limit screen time, fostering self-awareness of their digital habits. Discuss the importance of controlling notifications to minimize unnecessary interruptions. Lastly, emphasize the need for critical thinking when interacting with content on social media, such as checking the credibility of sources and the accuracy of information. This will help students become more discerning consumers of digital content and less susceptible to the persuasive designs of technology.

Class Activity: Analyzing Persuasion in Social Media – Break into small groups – Analyze social media posts – Look at posts and ads on different platforms – Identify persuasive techniques – Find examples of ethos, pathos, logos, and other strategies – Discuss influence on behavior – How do these strategies affect our choices online? | This activity is designed to foster critical thinking about the persuasive strategies used in social media. Students will work in small groups to create a more interactive and collaborative learning environment. Each group will analyze actual social media posts and advertisements to identify the use of persuasive techniques such as ethos (credibility), pathos (emotional appeal), and logos (logical argument). The discussion should focus on how these techniques can influence user behavior and decision-making, encouraging students to be more aware of the intent behind social media content. Possible activities include comparing techniques across different platforms, role-playing to understand the creator’s perspective, and creating a presentation on their findings to share with the class.

Reflecting on Persuasive Technology – Recap: Persuasive Tech Impact – Discuss: Social Media Experiences – How has social media influenced your decisions or feelings? – Share: Applying Lessons Learned – Think about ways to use social media more mindfully. – Reflect: Personal Media Use – Consider how your online habits align with your values. | This slide aims to consolidate the students’ understanding of persuasive technology and its effects on our daily lives, particularly through social media. Begin with a brief recap of the key points covered in the lesson. Then, move to an open discussion, allowing students to share their personal experiences with social media, focusing on how it has influenced their decisions or emotions. Encourage students to think critically about how they can apply the insights from today’s lesson to use social media more responsibly and mindfully. Finally, prompt them to reflect on their personal media use and consider if it aligns with their values and the person they aspire to be. This reflection can help them make more informed choices about their digital interactions.