What are your thoughts on social networking for educational purposes?

This seems like something that is talked about more than carried out. I for one have been blocked by school policies and then technology. It would be a great way to give the class a way to conect when they are not together. In a way, I almost wish that I was teaching an online course, where students had to coolaborate with and through web 2.0 technology. I'm am currently having good success with using google docs, and students are benifiting form sharing with me and eachother.

I do see this as being the future of education. I have an idea. Cut all the overhead with school campuses and put all the classes online allowing teachers to teach at home for more pay.


Is there a use? Why or why not?

There is a use. Beyond what I've already described you can give students a way to coolaborate and carry out assinments outside schoool boundries. You this can be a safe place to share and be known. It seems like people are more real in these settings, though their is always the risk of deception.


Compare and contrast Facebook, LindedIn, and Ning. Which would be the most appropriate for classroom use?

All have a way to leave information on ones site. You have a measure of persnalization. LindedLn is more aimed at non-educaton profesionals who want to network. The most similas are facebook and the last where facebook is more personal. All of theses allow you to share media. All have membership. I suppose that Ning would be the most appropriate for educational use because it is more modular where all the students could belong to the same site. I would be interest to see if this works at my school, and then may be I'll try it.

Microblogging

Edmondo, Twitter, and Microblogging are addicting. I don't know if I can explain why other than it seems to meet a social need. I particularly like the RSS function where breaking news stories can be feed to you. It is also cool when someone starts following you. I can't help but wonder why while feeling flattered in a way. There is something about knowing what others are doing and thinking about.



As far as education goes I was disappointed to find out that my schools web browser will not run Edmondo. I set up all my classes just to find out that version 7 of Explorer is needed. I plan on trying to get my tech department to update but suspect they have purposefully held back due to their security software.



I do see the educational benefit. I would love to be able to so easily share with my students and allow them to collaborate. It could serve as a way to work on a project together while in the privacy of their own home. I am interested in using this technology if and when I can set up a sister class in Japan, or Germany. I hope to use this technology with my class soon.