TechTool2

=Tech Tool 2 (Communicate): Social Networking Sites (Diversity Resource) =



===A social networking site is an online service that allows social connections to develop among people through interactive ways. I am going to focus on three different social networking sites: Ning, Facebook and Twitter. ===

===Ning: An online platform for people and organizations to create customized social networks. Groups can customize their networks in various ways: appearance, features, forums, blogs, etc. Ning also allows groups to integrate with other social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. An example of a popular educational network on Ning is Classroom 2.0. You can check out Ning by clicking here. ===

===Facebook: A social networking website that connects people with friends and others. When signing up for Facebook, you need to create a personal profile or group page where friends can be added or interacted with. You can join common interest user groups and exhange wall posts, photos, videos, websites, links and tags. You can check out Facebook by clicking here. ===

=== Twitter: A social networking and microblogging website that allows individuals, groups, etc. to share 140 character messages or "tweets" to followers. Tweets can be quick and frequent updates of information that are easily accessible to attain. Any twitter member can follow a wide range of tweets from authors, teachers, schools, non-profits, magazines, newspapers, websites, and even other students. You can check out Twitter by clicking here. ===



===Social networking for education can also be called Educational networking. You can check out a list of social networks used for educational purposes by clicking here. Social networking can be used to engage and relate to students in various ways. Facebook & Twitter can be used for classroom assignments to promote communication. Groups can be made within social networking sites for individuals to posts information. Students can share information that they find interesting, educational, and useful through posting videos, pictures, articles, website links, music, etc...See the example below of my own Facebook post where I share an Educational event with my peers. There is also a twitter example below where I receive updates from newspapers and magazines I follow about Occupy Seattle. __As long as the teacher is creative, social networking can really draw students in through the commonality of technology use__. Accessing and sharing information in useful ways is a crucial 21st century skill that all students need to learn. ===





Article titled "Social Networking Goes to School" by Educational Week: Digital Directions
=== Article titled "Social Networking in Schools: Educators debate the Merits of Technology in the Classrooms" by The Huffington Post ===