Thing 14 - Social networking

Social networking sites are online communities, perhaps representing the ultimate example of Web 2.0 and its emphasis on community and interaction. Facebook is the best know social site, and, for many, the ONLY social site. However social networking sites do not stop with Facebook and many opportunities for joining communities abound online and this Thing will direct you to some of the alternatives.

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To complete Thing 14 you must:
A. Learn about social networking
B. Join a social networking site
C. Reflect on Thing 14 in your blog.
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A. The world of social networking
There are many places to go online for information about social networking. Here are two suggested sites to visit for basic background and links to additional information:

A Primer on Social Networking
Social Networking Explained by About.com

Safety and privacy remain the most misunderstood areas of social networking. The Internet is a very public space where information about your online activity is only a click away.... Before joining a social site, take a look at the following articles on social networking safety:

11 Tips for Social Networking Safely
5 Easy Steps to Stay Safe (and Private) on Facebook.

Safety and privacy are not the only concerns regarding social networking. As educators, we are held to a higher standard of ethical conduct, especially on the web where all the world is watching. Before joining a social network, read this article by Andrea Yukna about professionalism on the Internet.

MySpace, Facebook, Ethics and You

B. Join a social networking site

Now for the real challenge: how to choose a site to join. There are "general" social sites like Facebook and there are "niche" social networking sites that cater to special interests. Check out the NHS Library FB (Face Book) Page for a look at how we are using social networking to reach our students.
NHS Library

Promote Your Page Too

Here are 3 suggested "niche" areas to explore for social networking opportunities:

About.com - top niche sites
Social Media Answers - comprehensive list of social sites with links and comments
Ning -the largest host of social networking sites (including an area for educators)

C. Reflect
What did you join? Why? Has your opinion about social networking changed since working on this Thing? What do you see as the educational possibilities (if any) for social networking?