Social Networking

I joined a diigo group called technoLanguages. I decided to join this group because it combines, as the name implies, technology and language teaching and learning. On first look, the results seemed quite varied and overwhelming. Within two clicks, I was able to find links specific to the teaching of Spanish. The variety and quantity of resources continues to amaze me. I found links for iPhone apps, teacher blogs, culture and travel information as well as creative games. At times, I become frustrated when conducting a search because of the volume of materials available. It remains to be seen if I end up directly contacting other group members, but I like having that option. I appreciate the combination of electronic resources and the ability of connecting with the people behind them. Finding so many items in one place, and being able to locate them again is a benefit of diigo that I truly appreciate.

Connecting with family and friends and networking with new acquaintances are all appealing aspects of social networking. Sharing photos, discovering new interests because someone recommended something and becoming informed about any topic are also appealing benefits. For younger people, connecting electronically is second nature. Social networks are they way they make plans and share news and photos.  For older generations, social networks provide opportunities to develop professional contacts or promote a business. It offers a convenient way to find and reconnect with old friends and communicate with family who might live far away. In addition to Facebook, the Wikipedia page lists networks for every interest and age group.

Managing, storing and incorporating educational resources can be facilitated through social networks. We have learned that collaborative work is a growing trend, and social networking certainly supports this. Adding resources that until recently had been unavailable, enriches the classroom experience. A possible negative could be the temptation to plagiarize or even unintentionally  using someone else’s idea without proper acknowledgment. Students have become accustomed to having information available at no cost and often think that because they find music or video online, it is theirs for the taking. In collaborative work, it can be difficult to evaluate who is directly responsible for the contributions. Another negative is that the limits of what is private and what is public seem to be in flux. Is it possible to completely separate professional, classroom and personal information?

I have yet to join Facebook and probably would not have joined Twitter, diigo or Trello if not for this class. Many people have recommended Linkedin and I realize it is a reliable, professional resource. Our assignments have truly opened my mind to establishing an online presence. The majority of my family and friends use Facebook and I have visited their pages. In my case, I can see myself joining in the near future for social interaction with others. I have become a fan of diigo and am confident I will continue to add to what I already have. I know many teachers who have also share information through Pinterest – something else for me to explore. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites