According to Green and Hannon (pamphlet, Their space: Education for a digital generation: 2007)
Social networking refers to the aspect of Web 2.0 that allows users to create links between their online presence such as a webpage or a collection of photos. These links may be through joining online groups or by assigning direct links to other users through lists of "friends" or contacts (p. 13)The idea of social networks has become such a part of our society that colleges now have classes on social networking and Web 2.0. These are full courses - not just special presentations or units of other courses. University of Arizona teaches this from a business standpoint. These courses help develop leadership, communication, and community building skills. The final project is to work with a group of students from a local high school and separate them into micro-communities.
Why is Social Networking a Useful Tool?
When you think of social networking your probably think of Facebook.... or along the growing list of ones popping up on a frequent basis - Twitter, LinkedIn, Orkut, Friendster, etc. Often these will have people grouped together who enjoy similar ideas, products, or services.A study by the National School Boards Association (2007) explored online behaviors of US teens and tweens...
- 96% of students with online access used social networking technologies, such as chatting, text messaging, and blogging, and visited online communities such as Facebook, MySpace, and WebKinz;
- 81% said they had visited social networking website with the past three months; and
- 71% said they used social networking tools at least weekly.
Educators have been reluctant to use social networking tools as part of their teaching (I think - because we tend to think immediately about Facebook... and in some places there are policies that make us apprehensive) Some have started thinking of the idea - what if we could create our own social networks, we could be in control and organize and control our "space". The idea of Ning emerged (there are other similar products.)
- Further students reported that one of the most common topics of conversation on the social networking scene was education.
I teach an advanced computer programming class. Students earn their way into this class by taking three previous semesters of computer programming. In this class, they design their own project, do their own research, and create a final product. Students are working at their own pace, but their needs to be communication between the student, the teacher, and other students (who may have the class other periods.) I created a Ning social network. Students keep a blog (journal of their daily work), can post questions (things they are having trouble solving), or just post ideas. I now have alumni that are involved as well. Students can check and post anywhere they have an internet connection. To start - they have to have an invitation from me. I do this by having them email me a questionnaire to start the course. I then send them an invitation to join the Ning. They get in and set up their account. I then have to confirm before they can actually do anything. I confirm and then they can begin to post. I could also include parents in this Ning process by sending them invitations as well (I have not done this - but I know of teachers that have included this step). Now I just need to remind students occasionally ... "Have you Ning'd today?"
Another example - LibraryThing is a social network of about 1.5 million people who love books. You can join, post a catalog of books you enjoy and then connect with other for suggestions and conversations about books.
When do Teachers Use Social Networking?
Teachers can use social networking for learning, professional development and content sharing. Here are some examples:
Although it is interesting that the School Board Association found that most kids that use social networks talk about education topics - school districts have very strict rules about the use of social networking during the school day. The question needs to be addressed: Will students learn better and develop better skills through traditional methods or will they learn better through learning environments that include Web 2.0 tools? There have been some studies done to look at the skills (Social/Personal; Cognitive/Physical; and Technical) that are developed through the use of Web 2.0 tools.
According to one educator (published in the web 2.0; how-to for educators - p 86)
Teaching was an isolated experience. Learning more so, ... the power was in the hands of the "experts" ... Finally, production, performance, presentation, product, OBJECTIVES are happening and energizing all learners. This is the goal of true education, to share with others, ourselves. And in that process, to burn brighter (learn). Social networking allows that to happen. It is like for years, we were just reading about driving, now in the classrooms, we can drive/demonstrate/do/experience. This is social networking, or the future of it. Not merely chat but performance, high speed performing vehicles ... purring cars.
Examples of Professional Development
This list will be quite lengthy - but check some of them out - you might find something that you really connect with.- BLC/MELC Middle School Teachers in Action - They are working on developing a library of multimedia learning resources and facilitating interaction between teachers. It is expanded to high schools now.
- TERC/MCPnet -- MSPnet (the Math Science Partnership Network) provides the MSP program with a web-based, interactive electronic community in order to build capacity and enrich the knowledge base of each individual MSP project as well as the MSP learning community as a whole.
- DO-IT -- Nation Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education offers a community for educators, students and mentors an opportunity to exchange information. DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) provides computers, assistive technology, and Internet connection for home of disabled college-bound teens who have been accepted into the DO-IT Scholars program.
- Fireside Learning - Conversations about education. They invite teachers to "sit by the fireside and share your thoughts."
- English Companion Ning - A virtual book club. Also a great support for personal and professional growth.
- Teacher/Librarian Ning - A place for Librarians to work, share and help each other.
- EFL Classroom 2.0 -- Teachers of English as a Foreign Languague have a place to learn ways to improve their practice.
The following are a little more narrowly focused -
- Math Teachers
- Art Teachers
- Biology Teachers
- Math Teachers using Smartboards -- also has other great technology ideas
How are teachers using Social Networking for teaching and Learning
Take these ideas and adapt to what you are already doing in your classroom.
- A teacher uploaded a song to the classroom Ning site - ask students to interpret the lyrics.
- A math teacher uses Ning to post homework and a "problem of the week".
- An English Teacher had students create blog posts on a Ning site while in character of some literary character. (could also do this as a Social Studies teacher as an historical figure)
- Project Peace - designed to teach English through singing. Teacher joins network - students then create videos, podcasts, and other projects to post online and can view other projects from around the world.
- Rolling on the River - Centers on the study of rivers and other bodies of water.
- Flat Classroom - Transforming classrooms through global collaboration. Teachers can post ideas of connections they would like to start.
If you are interested in starting a Ning (or something similar in your class) I have some additional information (things to consider, rules from other teachers, etc). This post was just getting too long for me to add more to it....
Still Learning - and lovin' it.
