Social Networking

     After searching through all of the resources available in the social networking lab I have come up with quite a few ideas in which social networking can benefit my classroom. Honestly, I had only been using social networking websites for personal use. I have a Facebook account in which I connect with old school friends, family members I haven't seen in years, and other people whom I would just like to keep in contact with. I just recently started using Twitter for personal use, I have been following a few friends and a plethora of celebrities.
     I was excited to see the numerous networks available for educators. I've always thought that networking was a wonderful way to stay informed. Apparently, I forgot to network professionally online because, looking back, I see many missed opportunities for learning. Through the lab I just completed I joined the MACUL Space site, LinkedIn, recently created a professional Twitter account, and will soon create a professional Facebook account. I think it will be a wonderful opportunity to share the knowledge I have and to gain the knowledge and advice of others from these social networks.
     I am very excited to implement a social network into my classroom for the upcoming year. I definitely am interested in using Edmodo. I also want to check more into Ning. I think these will be great for my students to work together online and collaborate with each other. This will be a wonderful opportunity for them to see first hand how social networks can be beneficial to their learning. At this point, I think the value they see in social network sites is simply keeping touch with friends and family. I hope that the new things they are about to experience in my room will help broaden their horizons; so to speak.

-JP