Comments on: Benefits of Social Networking http://bethstill.edublogs.org/2009/07/11/benefits-of-social-networking/ ' I am entirely certain that twenty years from now we will look back at education as it is practiced in most schools today and wonder how we could tolerated anything so primitive.' John W Gardner Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:07:02 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Josh http://bethstill.edublogs.org/2009/07/11/benefits-of-social-networking/comment-page-1/#comment-196 Josh Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:53:58 +0000 http://bethstill.edublogs.org/?p=165#comment-196 I think it is important to have some control over the social networking if you are making it a required part of a class. I know Gaggle and 21Classes (blogging platforms) have some great teacher control features (I know there are others...those are two that I've used). Nings have some notification features as well, but I don't know the extent of "student" accounts. I would encourage using Gaggle because it offers you email, blog and discussion boards, with teachers being able to set up their own security levels. As far as administrators go, they need to be engaged in it, not just exposed to it. They can easily block it out and play solitaire on their Blackberry if they aren't interested. They have to be engaged if you want them to truly by in. I think it is important to have some control over the social networking if you are making it a required part of a class. I know Gaggle and 21Classes (blogging platforms) have some great teacher control features (I know there are others…those are two that I’ve used). Nings have some notification features as well, but I don’t know the extent of “student” accounts. I would encourage using Gaggle because it offers you email, blog and discussion boards, with teachers being able to set up their own security levels.
As far as administrators go, they need to be engaged in it, not just exposed to it. They can easily block it out and play solitaire on their Blackberry if they aren’t interested. They have to be engaged if you want them to truly by in.

]]> By: dogtrax http://bethstill.edublogs.org/2009/07/11/benefits-of-social-networking/comment-page-1/#comment-195 dogtrax Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:30:18 +0000 http://bethstill.edublogs.org/?p=165#comment-195 So how do we explain to folks who don't get "Twitter" that it has value for our students? The biggest fear of social networking, even microblogging, still seems to hinge on so many teachers and administrators needing to feel "in control" of the network when it comes to student use. Or am I wrong? I think we need to make this learning more visible for administrators so they can buy into the value. We need to show them the possibilities and explain the rationale and write up the results. Kevin So how do we explain to folks who don’t get “Twitter” that it has value for our students?
The biggest fear of social networking, even microblogging, still seems to hinge on so many teachers and administrators needing to feel “in control” of the network when it comes to student use.
Or am I wrong?
I think we need to make this learning more visible for administrators so they can buy into the value. We need to show them the possibilities and explain the rationale and write up the results.
Kevin

]]> By: Kelly Hines http://bethstill.edublogs.org/2009/07/11/benefits-of-social-networking/comment-page-1/#comment-194 Kelly Hines Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:25:03 +0000 http://bethstill.edublogs.org/?p=165#comment-194 Your work with the ISTE Newbie project is inspiring! I'm hoping more and more people will see the leadership potential in social networking and the real life connections that take place because of it. Thank you for being an inspiration! Your work with the ISTE Newbie project is inspiring! I’m hoping more and more people will see the leadership potential in social networking and the real life connections that take place because of it. Thank you for being an inspiration!

]]> By: Josh http://bethstill.edublogs.org/2009/07/11/benefits-of-social-networking/comment-page-1/#comment-193 Josh Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:22:08 +0000 http://bethstill.edublogs.org/?p=165#comment-193 I agree that social networking really has becoming more important than any conference. Conferences still are important, and they definitely can benefit from social networking. I think it's great seeing administrators in those networks and hope it keeps up. Great post Beth! I agree that social networking really has becoming more important than any conference. Conferences still are important, and they definitely can benefit from social networking. I think it’s great seeing administrators in those networks and hope it keeps up.
Great post Beth!

]]> By: Adam DeWitt http://bethstill.edublogs.org/2009/07/11/benefits-of-social-networking/comment-page-1/#comment-191 Adam DeWitt Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:31:20 +0000 http://bethstill.edublogs.org/?p=165#comment-191 I agree. I am a principal in middle school and have always embraced technology as tool to improve our instructional practices. We need innovative teachers to consider moving their skills over to the administrative side. The last administrative conference I attended shed light on this issue. While I sat at my table, the one of only two admins with laptops up and running. I also imagine that I was in youngest 1/3 of the participants. Good teachers make good admins. Twitter has broadened my PLN exponentially! Thanks for the challenge. I agree. I am a principal in middle school and have always embraced technology as tool to improve our instructional practices. We need innovative teachers to consider moving their skills over to the administrative side. The last administrative conference I attended shed light on this issue. While I sat at my table, the one of only two admins with laptops up and running. I also imagine that I was in youngest 1/3 of the participants. Good teachers make good admins. Twitter has broadened my PLN exponentially! Thanks for the challenge.

]]> By: treagan http://bethstill.edublogs.org/2009/07/11/benefits-of-social-networking/comment-page-1/#comment-190 treagan Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:57:51 +0000 http://bethstill.edublogs.org/?p=165#comment-190 I continue to be amazed at the way in which you simultaneously grew your PLN and at the same time, grew a community of caring tech geeks to send Richard Byrne (http://www.freetech4teachers.com/) to ISTE. This is a great example of building a community of caring PLN members! Well done! I continue to be amazed at the way in which you simultaneously grew your PLN and at the same time, grew a community of caring tech geeks to send Richard Byrne (http://www.freetech4teachers.com/) to ISTE. This is a great example of building a community of caring PLN members! Well done!

]]> By: Dennis Richards http://bethstill.edublogs.org/2009/07/11/benefits-of-social-networking/comment-page-1/#comment-189 Dennis Richards Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:29:14 +0000 http://bethstill.edublogs.org/?p=165#comment-189 Great story of passion and community for learning and learners! Regards Great story of passion and community for learning and learners!

Regards

]]> By: Mary Beth http://bethstill.edublogs.org/2009/07/11/benefits-of-social-networking/comment-page-1/#comment-188 Mary Beth Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:49:35 +0000 http://bethstill.edublogs.org/?p=165#comment-188 Beth, Great point. What I actually thought of while reading your post was the way the world pulled together on Twitter to broadcast the events of the Iranian election. Students should learn the power of social networking as a way to advocate and mobilize people. Thanks for the perspective! Mary Beth Beth,

Great point. What I actually thought of while reading your post was the way the world pulled together on Twitter to broadcast the events of the Iranian election. Students should learn the power of social networking as a way to advocate and mobilize people.

Thanks for the perspective!

Mary Beth

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