Social Networks December 3, 2007

One of the activities for this course was to write a post about the implications of social networking on academic research and writing. I have included a brief reflection on the above implications, focusing more on what social networks are and finding your place in one.

I have to admit that I am a huge advocate of sharing, collaborating, and of developing new skills within 21^st Century challenges. I am constantly amazed by the potential of new online tools. When I think of social networking, I think of programs like MySpace, Friendster and Facebook. The digital immigrant, digital native scenario kicks in here as I am not really interested in sharing my personal life and pictures to this extent. The idea that my friends can share me with their friends is a little unsettling to me. It is the personal nature of these sites that I shy away from.

 

I decided to revisit the idea of social networking after reading a Nov.13, 2007 post by David Warlick called Participation Requested… He was presenting at a conference, two sessions over two days on Social Networking for Educators. David posed four questions about social networking that would be the focus of his presentation. He wanted to model the social networking process for participants. David created a wiki called Social Networking for Teachers. On his blog, (I imagine he sent out a few Tweets as well) the morning of the first session, he invited all of his readers to answer the following questions by editing his wiki.

1. What is Social Networking?
2. What are some of the differences between how our students use social networking and how professional educators use it?
3. What are your favourite social networking applications?
4. What’s the latest thing you learned from a social network?

The best example of social networking then evolved for the participants of the conference. David Warlick’s wiki was soon populated with the thoughts and opinions of social networking from all over the world. There is a geo-tagged map on the wiki to show where all of the contributors are located.

The definition of social networking that I can build on involves a support system, a community of people with similar interests, breaks down physical boundaries, supports learning as a social process, sharing information, collaborating, asking questions and building meaning through the process.

Vickie Davis (Cool Cat Teacher) made a comment at the Edubloggercon, we should no longer use the term social networking, rather “professional networking”, and “student networking” might be a better direction. She feels that social networking may have some negative connotations in an educational setting.

In a comment to David Warlick’s blog, someone insisted that he should really, really, really use Danah Boyd’s definition.

“A “social network site” is a category of websites with profiles, semi-persistent public commentary on the profile, and a traversable publicly articulated social network displayed in relation to the profile.”

Differences between how our students and professional educators use social networking, reiterates my personal concerns about social networking. Our students use it as an everyday tool to keep in touch with their network, educators use it for professional support and are less social. A group of future administrators were asked this question, “how to you social network”… they said… “go out with colleagues or friends”, “dinner parties”, “talk on the phone”, “exercise together” “email”. I then asked how their kids are socially networking. They said “cell phones”, “MySpace”, “FaceBook”, “Blogs”, “Text Messaging”…and more. They were very aware of the things that kids were doing, but weren’t yet employing them in their own lives.

Contributors to the wiki were asked about their favourite social networking application, I only see Facebook once in the list. Some of the applications that were listed: Twitter, Ning, Skype, Flickr, Blogs, RSS Feeds (Bloglines or Google Reader), Google Docs, UStream, De.lici.ous and Second Life. Was Vickie Davis’ opinion correct, to separate “Professional Networking” and “Student Networking”?

The final question was to state the last thing you learned from a social network. This is where I love the collaborative, sharing nature of the network. I have read, researched, and learned amazing amounts of information through my Bloglines account. I am using social networking for exactly this purpose. Ideas stated on the wiki ranged from personal – my good friend just had her second daughter- to professional – how these tools can be applied in my class, teachers in Shanghai and Canada are doing the same things I am doing, and profoundly, that I get more than I give.

Is there a difference between a social network and a personal learning network? A social network requires sharing information and ideas with each other, a personal learning network may not require as much social interaction. A social network is not inherently about learning, other than social skills.

 

I will reflect briefly on the implications of social networking on academic research and writing. The ability to communicate and collaboration at global levels must enhance and develop an issue. Research could be more creative and writing more informative. Adapting to the information and the way we send and receive it will be an evolving skill for all types of business in the 21^st Century. Educating people to use Creative Commons attributions, to recognition someone’s work will become a more important piece of the research.

In conclusion, I think that most people will operate within their comfort zone. Although I may not jump on the Facebook bandwagon, and my 19 year old son thanks me, I definitely see the implications of social interaction and learning. Learning is a social process. I will find the tools that I feel are best for each application, but I will promote networking as a strategy for learning. We are teaching our students to be life-long learners. Statistics show that young people will have several jobs throughout their working lives. People will have to learn new skills and techniques, networks will be invaluable. It appears that social networking is fast becoming a fixture in our society. The benefits that we see now, is just the beginning!

Citations:

Warlick, D (2007, November 13). Participation Requested…. Retrieved December 3, 2007, from 2 Cents Worth Web site: http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/

Boyd, D. (2006, November 10). Social Network Sites: My Definition. Retrieved December 3, 2007, from apophenia: making connection where none previously existed Web site: http://www.zephoria.org/thoughts/archives/2006/11/10/social_network_1.html

 

 

 

Manitoba Edubloggercon November 22, 2007

I am at the Academy Bar and Grill attending the first Manitoba Edubloggercon. There are approximately 50 people attending. The chatter is very interesting, sharing info, blog addresses, meeting people whose name I know but have never met….my network? How do I play a You Tube video on my Powerpoint presentation?
Someone from Frontier School Division brought an Asus EEE PC, it has a 7 inch screen and runs off flash memory.

Andy Kiel – pres elect of ManAce starts the evening off. We are using Dean Shareski’s twitter feed and are UStreaming the event. You can watch us right now!

Chris Harbeck – teacher at Sargeant Park, blog – Making It Interesting! Chris read a poem, thinking of William Shatner, I am Canadian…..I am a teacher(will create a slidecast). Release the Hounds wiki. He is an edublogger.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mb-edubloggercon – This is the UStream broadcast. There is a lot of chatter on the UStream -someone from Pert, Australia.
Clarence Fisher – from Snow Lake, drove his new truck down to Winnipeg. Even though he lives in a remote area, he is able to do everything he wants to do via web 2.0 tools. He blogs to dump the ideas out of his head, it is also a selfish act, people will comment on his block and say, have you thought of this? Talking about his professional blog – Remote Access. And his classroom blogs – Upload. He has started an international project – Thin Walls – not called a project. Matched with a classroom in California, they spend time working with the other class everyday. This project will not be completed in 4 weeks, it will continue all year. Clarence is taking about the tools that the teachers decided to use, however, the students have used the technology that they are familiar with. It works! The two classes have just finished reading The Outsiders, they are creating a wiki to hold a project that they have decided upon. They are using Google Docs, Google Presentations. Clarence will be introducing Twitter next week. Referred to Teen Life Project Wiki – loaded with brainstorming, chats, and collaboration.

John Evans – principal St Francis Xavier – Daniel Pink – A Whole New Mind = a good presentation has levity, and brevity. He is showing us through his wiki. John is highly recommending RSS feeds as the best PD Learning Experience. John loves wikis, he is using a wiki for his school webpage, so are several school in his division. Also developed a wiki on Wellness, he has travelled across the province making presentations. John also contributes to a blog called “Leader Talk”. John is using technology to share with teachers around the world.

Dean Shareski – Moose Jaw – bleeds green – go Saskatchewan! Has a research team that works for him all of the time. They do all of the work and he shares it. His network! Who is on your research team? RSS!! Everything new comes to him. Delicious, social bookmarks shares what people are reading. Thinks of Twitter as a personalizing of his network. Asks Darren, what his problem was last night? Demonstrated Skype with Alex Couros from Regina, prof of educational technology. Now connecting with Jeff Utrecht from Shanghai, he shows Jeff the room when he say….”Where are you?” What does the network mean to you? Jeff says that this is it…..he is talking to his network in Winnipeg. If a teacher asks him for a resource he goes to Twitter and ask the question and has an answer. Large resource team! Learning happens everywhere. Brian Crosby – What does your network mean to you? He also answers – This is it! Think about where we can go with this technology!

Darren Kuropatwa – shared his blog – A Difference. Was at parent-teacher interviews, told us a story using his Consumer Math 20S Blog. Darren asks his students to reflect on their learning at the end of every unit. Pretest assessment worth one mark on a test – Blogging on Blogging- BOB. Darren uses a Smartboard in his classroom, nothing is ever erased. He saves the information from his Smartboard and then puts it into slideshare and embeds on math blog. Slides and scribe posts are available to students at anytime. He also attaches podcasts of lessons. Once a unit the students have to add one website that has really been helpful for that unit, those links are put into Delicious. Convenor for K12 Online Conference, all the podcasts are still available, don’t miss them.

SAG or LIFT? November 18, 2007

Is anyone attending our provincial teachers conference? Please share if you are planning to attend something interesting!

I am going to race into Winnipeg on Thursday night to attend the Manitoba Edubloggercon. This is a preconference event sponsored by ManAce. There are some very accomplished bloggers that will be leading the discussion. Darren Kuropatwa, Clarence Fisher, Chris Harbeck, John Evans. I will try to live blog the discussion, maybe Twitter! There are 50-60 people registered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Your Interest! November 15, 2007

(via Blue Skunk Blog)

Check your blogs readability level.

Interesting, but I’m not sure about the reliability!

The XO Computer November 13, 2007

I have read two interesting posts by class members about the “Digital Divide”. The increasing gap between children with access to technology and those will limited or no access. I agree that continued exposure, discussion, practice, sharing of technology and the tools whenever possible is the best practice.

The one laptop one child program:

Initially started with the concept of producing a wi-fi enabled, open source laptop for $100, the project brought together giants of the tech industry to create something that had never been achieved before; a universally affordable computer for children in under developed countries in need of not just 21st century learning tools, but also access to information, the Internet, and each other. While the laptop was unable to be manufactured for $100, the parties involved finally settled on a design that would sell for just about $200. Even at that price, it’s not bad for a full-featured laptop that comes with it’s own office suite of programs, wi-fi Internet access, and a host of other features, including the ability to recharge the battery using a hand crank!

“The OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) project is making the computer available for purchase here in Canada & the United States! And while you make your purchase, you can give a FREE laptop to a child in a developing nation. For $399, you can purchase one of the laptops for your child (or yourself!) and send one off to another child in need. Up to $200 of that is tax deductible, so while you aren’t technically getting a free laptop, you are giving a free laptop, after taxes. Time is limited though, as the “Get One Give One” program is only running until November 26th, which means there’s only 14 days left to spread the gift of technology, information, literacy, and creativity around the world.

What a unique idea, for a pretty good price!

Above information and a picture found on today’s post of The Tech Savvy Educator’s Blog.

Is this an answer to the “Digital Divide”?

Some of you may follow Kathy Schrock (Discovery Education). She also comments on the XO Computer deal. She is participating in the program, one for a child in a developing country and one for her husband, who is biking across the US next spring.

Thanks to Vivian for her post, Pushing the Envelope. Would this be a computer that could make a difference in your world?

Yugma Possibilities November 1, 2007

Hello again, I have installed Yugma, looks interesting, would like to give it a try with someone. Just wanted to say that I finally got a chance to look at everyone’s blog and they are very impressive, I can see that I have work to do! I am sorry that I missed the Skype Adventure on Saturday. Elluminate Lite also allows similar features for free for small numbers in conferences.

I am presenting a full day workshop, called-Let’s Talk about the Possibilities-to a group of K-8 teachers. We will be looking at the Literacy with ICT continuum, some web tools, developing a collaborative project between students in our division and creating a focus for this year. This is the agenda, I would say it is optimist, but I like to be overprepared!

You will notice that the agenda is a wiki page, I now use a wiki to hold material and links for presentations. It works really well, as long as the internet is available.

Welcome to my ICT blog September 29, 2007

This is my first entry for our ICT for teacher course.  My understanding is that blogs are for opinions, ideas, feelings, reflections and comments. I have to admit that I will often puzzle over my comments, editing and reflecting too long. I am hoping that with practise I will be able to let go of my inhibitions!

I would like to share a cool video creating tool with you, it was presented to the web community at the end of August.  The program is called Animoto. You will have to sign up for a free account which will allow you to produce a 30 second video. Give it a try!