Horizon2007:Shortlist 1c
From Horizon Project
Time-to-Adoption: One Year or Less
Social Networking: The Reason They Log On
Undoubtedly the most pervasive aspect of Web 2.0, the focus on social networking is driven from outside our institutions. Interest in social networking is especially high among students, and they already use these tools extensively for personal reasons. Because of students’ tremendous interest, colleges and universities are increasingly going to be seeking ways to employ similar strategies. Although there are not yet many institutional examples of social networking, there are easily dozens of examples that are familiar to students and used by them on a daily basis; institutional uses will emerge very quickly because these approaches clearly appeal to students.
Social networking is all about making connections between individuals. Conversations that take place in social networking contexts are inherently social, and most likely related to social activities and interests. These topics foster deep connections between people when they are shared and discussed: forming such connections is the heart of social networking. As danah boyd has noted, online spaces like Myspace and Facebook give students a safe place to gather, in much the same way that young people of previous generations hung out at the burger joint, the roller rink, or the mall. Social networking is second nature to students already and the impetus for us to use it is coming from them. For them, it is ubiquitous now; our challenge is to apply it to education.
Relevance for Teaching, Learning & Creative Expression
- Shared user profiles are a way for students to combat the feeling of being “just a number.” The easy ability to form affinity groups (friends) encourages community and self expression.
- Provides virtual spaces where students can interact and gather.
- Students love these things —social networking approaches are engaging.
Examples
- Allegheny College sets up a MySpace page: http://syndicateblog.petersons.com/wordpress/index.php/mike-richwalsky-on-allegheny-colleges-myspace-and-other-online-social-networking-plans/
- Stu.dicio.us is a notetaking tool that lets students take and share notes, quickly link to Wikipedia and Google entries for keywords, keep track of assignments, and more: http://stu.dicio.us/
- Students share and seek opinions about 770,000 professors from 6,000 schools: http://www.ratemyprofessors.com
For Further Reading
social network sites: my definition (danah boyd, Many2Many, November 12, 2006). Describes social networking and offers examples. http://many.corante.com/archives/2006/11/12/social_network_sites_my_definition.php
Mashable! (Pete Cashmore, retrieved November 15, 2006). Mashable! is a blog focused exclusively on social networks—a meta-collection of social networking sites, with commentary. http://www.mashable.com
How University Administrators Should Approach the Facebook: Ten Rules (Fred Stutzman, Unit Structures, January 23, 2006). Describes current trends around Facebook and recommends measures for university administrators. http://chimprawk.blogspot.com/2006/01/how-university-administrators-should.html
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Discussion
Add your thoughts, suggestions, examples to add here, and indicate who wrote it-- e.g. [Alan]
