thing22

=Thing #22 - Explore social networking in education=



**Introduction**
A **social network** is an online environment in which people connect around relationships, content, shared interests and ideas. During this course, we have already encountered a number of sites and tools that incorporate social features such as tagging, commenting, user profiles and online groups, to add value. Human beings have always been social learners, and, increasingly, we learn in digital networks as well as "real-life" networks.

Networked learning is based on the belief that //when one of us gets smarter, we all do//. When used effectively, online social networking can play a powerful role in both classroom and lifelong learning. As [|Steve Hargadon] describes, "'Social Networks' are really just collections of Web 2.0 technologies combined in a way that help to build online communities."

You may already be using [|Facebook] (or a similar site) personally or professionally, or, like many "skeptics," you may view it as, at best, a waste of time and, at worst, a sign of the decline of civilization. Whatever your view, your students (especially in grades 5-up) are definitely connecting via social networking sites and, increasingly, so are professionals, parents, hobbyists, educators, social activists, and all manner of people and groups looking to share, build and organize around content, conversation, relatioships and ideas.

A 2007 study by the [|National School Board Association], entitled " //Creating & Connecting: Research and Guidelines on Online Social -- and Educational -- Networking// " found that that 96% of kids ages 9-17 with Internet access have used social networking technologies, and that 50% have used those technologies to talk //specifically about schoolwork//. [|The final report] (only nine pages with lots of graphics -- not required, but **definitely worth a read** ), in addition to presenting some really interesting findings, offers guidelines and recommendations for school boards regarding the uses of social networking in schools. **It's worth considering** -- **if we don't model productive, responsible uses of social networking tools for our students, how will they learn to be productive, responsible users of these tools?**

As you watch this overview of social networking by the Common Craft guys, think of it as a community where we can LEARN, GROW and CREATE together. Try substituting " //find jobs, meet new friends and find partners// " with " //explore ideas, build understandings, and share resources// ."

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If you're still trying to wrap your brain around this concept, here's a written overview: [|What Is Social Networking?]

Social Networking in Education
Increasingly, educators are beginning to leverage the positive aspects of social networking (including Facebook ) to support both professional and student learning. [|Ning] is a service that allows anyone to easily create and manage a social network for any purpose. Ning sites may be private (viewable only to members) or public, and the site creator/administrator has lots of control over how users join and how they can participate/contribute. Ning offers a free "Ning mini" version for educators.

In early 2007, Steve Hargadon created Classroom 2.0, a Ning social networking site for educators "interested Web 2.0 and collaborative technologies in the classroom." The site currently has over 57,000 members sharing ideas and resources, asking questions and discussing ideas and concerns about using these new technologies to support teaching and learning. Exploring this site is a good way to learn more about Web 2.0, and to get a feel for how a social networking site can be used in education.

**Discovery Exercise**

 * Explore Social Networking in Education**. (~60 min)

**¤ NOTE:** You are NOT required to join the Classroom 2.0 network to explore its resources.


 * Visit Classroom 2.0 **. Have a quality look around (see tips below). If you don't spend some time exploring, you won't really get a feel for the site or the potential for this type of tool in education. For examples of more specialized educational Ning sites, you might also (or alternatively) want to explore ISENet (Independent School Educators), English Companion (English Teachers), Global Education Collaborative.


 * As you complete the exploration exercise, consider how you might incorporate social networking to benefit:**
 * Your own professional development / lifelong learning
 * Classroom teaching and learning
 * Personal interests, hobbies, community, family, social causes, etc...

If you begin to feel overwhelmed by the amount of content, remember that you are __not supposed to keep up with everything__ on a site like this, but rather to skim, explore and focus on those areas which are of real interest to you. //In networked learning, the important ideas always come back around//.


 * ‡ HELP: **Tips for finding your way around ** [|Classroom 2.0] **
 * **Welcome** - Read the Welcome message in the center of the main page.
 * **Forum** - (click //Forum// tab at the top of the page). Here you will find discussion categories with threaded discussions under each. Find a couple of discussions that interest you and read some of the posts and replies.
 * **Groups** - (click //Groups// tab at the top of the page). Here you will find special-interest discussions and resource sharing. Find a group that interests you and explore the discussions and other content for the group.
 * **"Finding Interesting Discussions** - (left sidebar on lower half of //Main// page) Click a link to find all discussions tagged by **tool**, **subject** or **area**. Or click a **tag**anywhere within the site (e.g. at the bottom of a discussion post) to view all resources tagged as such.
 * **Latest Activity** - (down a ways on Main page) See the most recent activity by all members of the site.
 * **Videos** - (click //Media// tab, then //Videos// at the top of the page). View videos uploaded and shared by site members.

**Learning Activity**
Write a blog post reflecting on your exploration of Classroom 2.0 (and/or other networks). What were your overall impressions? Did you find any discussions or resources of value? Do you have any ideas for using social networking in your own professional or personal learning, or in classroom learning? Please include "Thing 22" in your post title.