Thing 12 Social Networking

To begin, have a look at this online video presentation on social networking.

What is social networking?
Social networking is a broad term referring to the entire Web 2.0 phenomenon, but what we will be focusing on this week are usually referred to as social networking sites.

Many of you will already be using or aware of sites, such as Facebook, Myspace or Bebo.

To use these sites, you need to set up an online account (yes, another login & password) and then build a profile to reflect yourself and your interests. You can then add friends and contacts who can see your profile and with whom you can share photographs etc. There are many other features and activities such as joining various groups, writing public and private posts, chatting online, playing games and setting up birthday reminders for your friends.

Each site has its advantages and disadvantages - if you are not using one at the moment, it’s worth taking a look at a couple to see what you think.

Popular social networking sites include facebook and myspace and, for teens and younger adults, bebo. Sites with a professional networking or business focus include LinkedIn and, in Ireland, igopeople. Others you will hear about, and that are being used in a university context for teaching, are Ning, and Elgg.


How universities are using social networking sites:
There are lots of examples of social networking tools being used in higher education in Ireland. Academic departments, students' unions and university societies have set up Facebook or Bebo pages and actively use them to update people about activities and events. In TCD, the Trinity Access Programme uses Ning to create an online classroom environment for students - participants refer to it as "their own Bebo". UCC's Science Society uses Facebook for online student discussions, and NUIG's Facebook group has proved popular, with membership exceeding 1,700 people. UL has many groups on Facebook, including the UL Alumni Association and the UL Club. (you will need to be signed into Facebook to access theUL sites). To join any of these groups you will need to first set up a Facebook account. Meanwhile, you might also like to check out the following links:


Discovery Rescoures:

Social Network Sites: Public, Private, or What?

Imperial College London on Facebook (you will need a Facebook account for access)

The Pedagogical Potentials of Social Networking Sites

AWAI: The Power of Social Networking to Fast-Track Your Success

Discovery Exercise:

1. Take some time exploring mySpace, facebook & bebo.

(Optional)
2.If you are interested, join one social networking site, create a profile for yourself, add 3 friends, and search for an old colleague, college or school friend or family member who lives abroad.

Note: exercise 2 is optional - not everyone will be interested in joining a social networking site.

3. What did you learn or do that surprised you? Did you identify ways that you might be able to implement features or components of this tool in your work?

4. And finally write a blog post about your experience. How could your department use social networking as a tool? What are the advantages of having a social networking account? Would you be interested in getting together with colleagues and setting up a social networking account for your department?