Social Networking/Media Tools
Connecting thru Learning
At the core, social networking/media services are web-based applications to build networks among people with similar interests, backgrounds or real connections (family, friends, work colleagues, etc.). These tools are also about consuming and creating information. In the educational setting, this means connecting learners to and around learning. Using social networks/media educators can help learners develop a personal learning network that enhances and supports their educational experience.
Note: Privacy can be a concern when it comes to social networks/media, however, informing learners and carefully managing settings can alleviate most issues quickly and easily.
Social networking/media tools you are probably most familiar with are Twitter and Facebook, but new social networks/media are regularly emerging
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Note: Privacy can be a concern when it comes to social networks/media, however, informing learners and carefully managing settings can alleviate most issues quickly and easily.
Social networking/media tools you are probably most familiar with are Twitter and Facebook, but new social networks/media are regularly emerging
Learn More
What is the purpose/value of social networks/media?
For Faculty/Employees
Using social networking/media tools educators can build community, teach content, notify learners of important information/resources, connect learners to the wider world, and encourage learners to share, discuss and study learning topics.
For Students
One of the biggest advantages of social networks/media is that learners already know and use many of these tools. They have wide and vast appeal and are salient to their day-to-day lives personally and either already are, or will one day be, important professionally.
For Faculty/Employees
Using social networking/media tools educators can build community, teach content, notify learners of important information/resources, connect learners to the wider world, and encourage learners to share, discuss and study learning topics.
For Students
One of the biggest advantages of social networks/media is that learners already know and use many of these tools. They have wide and vast appeal and are salient to their day-to-day lives personally and either already are, or will one day be, important professionally.
Resources
Twitter is a free, web-based micro-blogging service where learners can follow or share messages or “tweets”. Twitter has many educational uses, but some of the most common are to follow experts, send announcements or start a topical or study guide related to the course subject
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Facebook
Facebook is a free web-based social networking/media service that originally began in 2004 as a way students to keep in touch after leaving college. Now the service boasts over a billion members who are connected as “friends.” Facebook Groups for classes, clubs and program is one of the more useful ways to leverage Facebook for education providing a space to provide information and engaging discussions around content.
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Instagram is a social networking/media service that centers around sharing photographs. One of the most popular social media sites today, there are some unique ways it can be leveraged for education. For example, sharing learner work (in a private feed), featuring a student of the week to build community, taking and sharing photos of the steps in problem-solving and documenting lab work, generating writing through visual storytelling, and simply asking questions/promoting dialog around images.
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Toolboxes
Every Teacher’s Must Have Guide to Facebook (Edudemic)
Using Facebook and Tumblr to Engage Students (Chronicle of Higher Education)
The Teacher’s Guide to Twitter (Edudemic)
Tweeting in Higher Education Best Practices (Educause)
Effective Use of Instagram in the Classroom (Infographic)
Picture This: 5 Ways Teachers Can Use Instagram in the Classroom (Emerging EdTech)
Using Facebook and Tumblr to Engage Students (Chronicle of Higher Education)
The Teacher’s Guide to Twitter (Edudemic)
Tweeting in Higher Education Best Practices (Educause)
Effective Use of Instagram in the Classroom (Infographic)
Picture This: 5 Ways Teachers Can Use Instagram in the Classroom (Emerging EdTech)