Social Networking
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What are they?
Social Networks are web-based tools that allow users with similar or overlapping interests to make contact and engage with each other. Users share material (e.g. video, photographs and personal information) and forge links between their material and the material of others. This linked material creates a community of individuals networked through items of common interest.
Most social networking sites revolve around ‘profiles’. These are spaces within which users can define their interests and showcase material that they consider interesting, personally or professionally. By attaching their profile to (or joining) a group, individuals expand their involvement in and exposure to related information. When affiliated to a group the user is able to automatically receive notifications of new content, events or other items of interest. Through their profile users are able to decide how they receive these updates; typically via RSS feed, email or SMS notification.
In many networks, users indicate how interesting or useful they find the material uploaded or draw it to the attention of other networked friends. This creates a viral spread of popular material and can lead to the exceptionally rapid dissemination of content.
The links between individuals are further strengthened through the use of chat, blogging and other communication tools.
The Educause Learning Initiative’s (ELI’s) 7 Things You Should Know About... series contains a useful guide to Twitter and Facebook. Common Craft have created a light-hearted animated introduction to Social Networking (audio required).
How can I use them with my students?
Social networks often provide useful tools for the creation of collaborative projects (e.g. WIKIs and discussion forums). Situating these tools in the context of social networks they already use can increase engagement and participation Similarly, students can use social networks as a repository of useful information that they have found. If this material is web-based then it is easy for them to notify their peers that they have something new and direct them straight to it.
Social networks also provide students with a swift and reliable method of contacting sources, authorities and others of interest who are beyond the normal student network – perhaps beginning a conversation with someone over-seas who can provide resources or direction in a particular niche area. On an informal level, Social Networks are excellent places for students to interact in a less structured fashion and can provide an excellent meeting place within which students are able to discuss items of common interest; whether these be directly related to their studies or more socially orientated.
Examples
- A facebook app for study groups described by Jane Hart
- Open University have developed a Course Profiles app for commentary on this see Social Communications blog and The Ed Techie Blog.
Where can I get them?
Most social networking tools are free to join on the web. The most well know ones include Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Twitter and bebo but the area is expanding all the time. A list of social networking sites is maintained on Wikipedia.
What else do I need to know?
When considering Social Networks, it must be remembered that it is the members of any given network who provide and control the content. It is this flexibility that makes such Networks popular because users feel that they are making a personal contribution. Consequently, any intervention by an outside party in the policing and direction of this content is often resented. The networks themselves are also usually commercial organizations so may host advertising etc which you would not want.
