Retasking+Social+Networking


 * //Central Issue Revisited//**

Clark, Logan, Luckin, Mee, & Oliver (2009) took a look at 11-16 year olds and their use of web 2.0 tools. Their findings were summarized in the article "Beyond Web 2.0: mapping the technology landscapes of young learners."

Here are a few highlights from this article (any bolding was added by us for emphasis):

" When asked what features they might want from a social site, learners’ responses showed a strong desire for the suggested chat tools, photo uploading, gaming and Web page construction features. What is evident from learner responses is their willingness to engage withWeb 2.0 technologies and these features generally" (p. 62)

" Most learners (94%) associated computer access directly with Internet use, and Internet sites represented a primary focus of the computer node in learners’ maps. **The majority of these related to social networking (82%**), downloading and gaming sites. **Most learners focused on leisure, entertainment and social networking activities** and **only 41% (** // **n** // **=** **21) directly mentioned school work, homework or research**." (p. 64)

" **Learners do not appear to ‘see beyond’ the immediately obvious functionality of the technologies and there is little evidence of transfer**. **Few learners consider alternative uses** of specific features or functionalities other than with multifunctional devices, or alternative audiences or purposes. In a parallel wave, **the school institution appears to be slow to realize the potential of collaborative, communicative interactions, and the open and flexible potentials of learning ‘beyond the classroom walls’**. Institutions need to consider the implications of elements such as social networking and mobile devices, which are part of young learners’ everyday ‘life worlds’, and to see that what is needed is a supportive negotiated response through which **the institution guides the learner towards a more critical, reflective appropriation of these technologies**." (p. 68)

Quotes taken from: Clark, Logan, Luckin, Mee, & Oliver (2009). Beyond Web 2.0: mapping the technology landscapes of young learners. //Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 25(1), 56-69.//


 * //Educators' Honest Impressions of Social Networking//**

It is true that many educators are "rookies" at looking through pedagogical eyes at networking tools such as Facebook, My Space, and Bebo. The links in this section are to blogs of educational social networking rookies. They share their learning process, their impressions of the tools, and the potential implications these tools may have on their professional lives. They are a must read if you truly want to get a realistic look at retasking social tools for schools.

//Warning: The blog postings can be long but they are fantastic...rich! They are honest looks at this issue and they often include humour and great resources.//

"Mark's Neighbourhood (Exploring Social Networking)" Click here "A Social Networking Assignment" Click here "Mabel, Your Cows Are Out! Social Networking Revisited" Click here "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Social Networking" Click here "Sink or Swim" and "Social Networks...How many friends do you want?" This is a two part posting Part 1 [|Part 2]

The above postings show that retasking social networking tools isn't the easiest task. There are safety issues, technological considerations, and skill deficiencies that can complicate things. I also appreciate that these and other colleagues consciously recognize that many social networking sites weren't designed with education in mind BUT educators (teachers, librarians, etc.) have the power utilize them in creative ways.


 * //Social Networking in Action//**

Just because many people use social networking tools in basic ways doesn't mean that others aren't pushing these tools to the max. It is important to keep in mind that social networking isn't isolated to Facebook, MySpace and Bebo. There are more tools such as: **//Whyville//** Elgg Club Penguin **//Webkinz//** Second Life and my favourite...Ning.

Social networking tools are being used to: media type="youtube" key="JRhvnTHAqek" height="385" width="480"media type="youtube" key="x5G8whTbpJQ" height="385" width="480"
 * create study/tutoring groups.
 * create media and socially rich networks around topics of interest.
 * facilitate online professional development opportunities.
 * allow students to get involved in authentic global citizenship experiences.
 * create new and more flexible opportunities for students to connect with each other and their professors.

"“I must say…this Second Life experience is great! My special ed students are learning this virtual world much quicker than I. Not only are they hands on, they are learning critical thinking skills, navigation, cooperation, among many other skills, and attendance is almost perfect (a big thing for us). The students are teaching me and the confidence that gives them is beyond great. I have one student with major speech issues. He has a very hard time communicating… so he doesn’t. But in Second Life, this kid becomes alive! I’ve never seen him smile so much and get so excited about school. My whole class has asked for library passes during lunch. Who gives up lunch? Kids that are having fun while learning in Second Life!! All teachers should get their students in..make the time, it won’t be lost.” (A quote from a special ed. teacher in Suffern Middle School who is using Second Life...Click here)

Ning is a fantastic networking tool as it empowers you to design your own network and link your network to others. It is highly social. It allows you to incorporate all forms of media and web 2.0 tools. Tons of educators and students use it to socialize and learn at the same time. Check out this conferenceif you haven't already and enjoy Ning's goodness...oops correction. **Check out the goodness created by people who harnessed the power of social networking for educational purposes :)**

​ Danger! Danger! ​ We don't want to ignore the challenges to social media. There are risks and users must be aware of the risks. Cyberbullying, privacy, online predators and other issues are real. Very often concerned adults will jump to the conclusion..."Kids on social networking sites are prime targets for predators. Schools are supposed to be safe places. Why would you want to make our children into prey!"

We don't want to make a definitive stand on this issue but we have been challenged over the last few months to look at the facts. We have been challenged to use facts to guide practice instead of solely relying on perception. Basing decisions on uninformed perceptions can close doors to great opportunities and leave greater, REAL risks unexamined.

Parents, youth and leaders in education need to make sure they ask some hard questions as they incorporate any technologies:
 * What are the real benefits of the technology?
 * How are people using the technology outside of school?
 * What risks are associated with the technology?
 * Are there versions of the technology that can help manage risks?
 * What can we do to prepare everyone involved to harness the benefits/minimize the risks?

Charge from Will Richardson:

"I’m thinking none of this stuff is going away any time soon, and that if we are really concerned about these perceived negative shifts, we’d better start teaching kids to deal with them, right? All the hand-wringing in the world isn’t going to make them better or make them go away. Maybe we can use these as starting points for developing skills and literacies and habits in kids that they’ll need to maintain a healthy relationship with the Web, the same types of skills and habits we need to develop in ourselves. If we do that, we have to start early, with our youngest kids, and we have to make it a part of every curriculum, not just a unit in English class."

Danah Boydis a phenomenal researcher who has a large body of work that parents and leaders in schools should access. Her writings directed us to the following videos that look at the issue of teens, social networking and online predators. Click on Danah's name at the start of this paragraph for more resources and the whole video discussion can be found on YouTube.

media type="youtube" key="Ok05pxbYLJI" height="385" width="480"

media type="youtube" key="krEhAotjkH0" height="385" width="480" (This second video goes into specific behaviours that puts teens at risk and you may be surprised. It points to deeper issues that have nothing to do with the technology itself. Research is pointing out that our perceptions have been wrong. Please watch these videos!)

Fantastic New Resource: If you want to dig further into Facebook, how teens use the tool, and if it is even worth trying to retask this tool...click here.

Considering the advantages, dangers, and relevance of social networking sites (SNS) to our students, consider whether or not the risk is "worth it." We could forever argue points for and against SNS use in schools, but each of our teaching situations is different. Consider the policies, needs, and attitudes of your teaching context, and make an argument either for or against the use of SNS in your school. Taking into account your own research and experiences, please share some ways that teachers could retask social networking sites in your school.