SOCIAL NETWORKING
So for my first technology project, I decided to create a social networking site which was a really great experience even though I'm already really familiar with the popular sites out there. It was fun to play around and get familiar with it and it is totally something I would use in my own classroom.
Check out THIS LINK if you'd like to see the network I created. Now, for some answers to questions...
- I learned a great deal about social networking even though I would already consider myself comfortable with the concept as I mentioned above. What I didn't realize until completing this assignment was the possibility of having unique social sites outside of Facebook and Twitter. I also learned the great capacity it has to make everything very private and basically in its own little virtual world. This aspect is great for the classroom allowing students to interact and see the kind of content that is available on other sites but in one centralized and secure location. Basically, I learned that it is a fantastic tool for me as a teacher to implement in my classroom.
- This technology can be used to address quite a few instructional problems. It is hard enough to keep the students engaged completely in class, but even harder these days to engage them in homework or learning outside of the classroom. By making this a social and inviting experience, it will draw much more attention and activity from all class members. Another aspect it can address is the problem with large classes and not enough one on one attention. This type of social network provides a forum for students to voice their opinions, discuss and gives them an easy and accessible way to contact me as the teacher with any private concerns. Social networking is very useful in these ways and more.
- Several activities that I could use this technology for would be...first, discussions about the readings we do in class and the historical events we learn about would be much easier and more fair through the forum section of the social networking site. Second, I could provide visual homework options through the pictures and videos that are easy to post for me and easy to access for the students so they can learn visually while being engaged in the process. And third, I can post quizzes or other important links for them to complete through the site as well.
