By:Brittney Vandervate

W200

Social Networking in Education

• What is Social Networking•Online Education: Studies Shows Social

Networking a Boon for EducationBy: Johanna Sorrentino

•Social networking in the classroom: Learning by Stealth

By: Julie Lindsay

•Social Networking in the ClassroomBy: Anne Collier

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• A social network is a group of individuals that are tied together because of something they

hold in common.• Social networking is a way for people across

the world to meet new people or stay in contact with people they already know.

What is Social Networking

Online Education: Studies Shows Social Networking a Boon for Education

By: Johanna Sorrentino

Brief Summary:

Social Networking is taking over an it may not be a completely negative thing. Studies show that kids and teenagers are using social networking more than anything else. Studies also show a complete shock to many! Kids are using social networking for educational purposes. Educators are learning that social networking is the future of the classrooms and the “old school” ways are moving out. It is also being said that with using social networking in education students are trying even harder.

“If someone is going to react other than the teacher, a child is much more likely to take an assignment seriously,” Flynn says. (director of education technology for the National School Board Association)

Summary Continued:

Social networking is helping kids so much more than just academically, it is helping students learn life skills that they will use for a lifetime. Social networking is helping more than just students when it is used in educations. Parents are now able to keep an eye on and be familiar with what is going on in their children’s classrooms

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Personal Reflection

This article really opened my eyes to using social networking in education. I found it very interesting to know how many students are already on their own using networking for educational purposes. I also think that everything that was said in this article opened a good idea and made very valid points. After reading this article I think that social networking in education is and excellent idea to help not only student but also parents.

Social networking in the classroom: Learning by Stealth

By: Julie Lindsay

Brief Summary

Education does not end as soon as children walk out of the classroom. Teachers are realizing that it is important to interact with their students even out side of the classroom. I has been very common for students to seek out to teachers via email, but now there are so many more ways to communicate with you students outside of the classroom. With the way technology is used in the 20th century this is now acceptable. Teachers who use networking in their classrooms now have a completely new way of educating student. Although it is excellent to use social networking in the classroom it is important to acknowledge what it useful to education and what is not.

Summary Continued:Using networking in education forces students and also teachers to step out of their comfort zone. Schools have now blocked networking sites because of the fear of non-educational uses. As educations it is important that these are used in classrooms so that students can be taught how to use them properly.

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Personal ReflectionI felt that this article is very informative to future and current educators. I think it is very important to know how to use social networking in a positive way only. I also think it is good for teachers to hear that it is okay to step outside of their comfort zone. I thought it was very interesting to hear a teacher begin her class by saying “now log onto your blogs.” I feel that I would love to be able to run my class in this way instead of doing all book work. I agree that maybe networking won’t work for all students but then again neither does book work and teachers don’t back away from that.

Social Networking in the Classrooms!?By: Anne Collier

Brief Summary

Debates are now occurring regularly on whether or not social networking is acceptable for the classrooms. In this case the pro-networking case won. It was made clear that it is wonderful for students. They can use networking to post their school work and get feedback from outside viewer and not just their teachers. This has often encouraged students especially when they are receiving unexpected feedback from their parents.

Summary Continued:

It is shown that debates are needed about this topic and both sides of the issue need to been sought out. Debates like this can be very informative to both sides. This debate showed that networking's such as Facebook and MySpace may not be appropriate in all classrooms but there are networking cites that are wonderful for all classrooms!

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Personal ReflectionI liked this article because it shows that social networking in classrooms in an controversial issue that needs to be addressed. It has its pros and cons but is seen that when

Using it correctly it is needed. I think that after reading this having a debate is important because it can educate people who may not know much about it and show them why it is important in education.

ConclusionThroughout all of these articles I learned the pros and cons of using social

networking in the classrooms. I feel that after reading more about it I strongly agree with it being used in education when it is used appropriately. I also learned that it is important for educator to inform students on how to use these networks completely. I think that after reading these articles that social networking in education is becoming more and more popular and in

the future will be accepted by all.