Social Networking in Schools

What is a social network?
According to Wikipedia it is "a network service focusing on building online communities of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others. Most social network services are web based and provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as e-mail and instant messaging services." The most popular examples of these services are MySpace and Facebook.

These sites are integral part of our student's lives and could make a homework or classroom assignment more authentic or engaging. Twenty-first Century Educators need to be able to assimilate social networking into their classrooms so learning can occur inside and outside of the classroom.

Micro Social Network:

Even though Facebook and Myspace are the most popular social networks doesn't mean they are the best for your classroom. I would like a recommend a Ning. Ning is a social network with a twist; teachers can create and control their own social network. Teachers can post class content, syllabus, student projects and even a place to meet virtually while school is not in session.

There is also a Ning community for teachers to share ideas with other educators (http://www.classroom20.com/ )

Excellent article on Ning from CNN

How to Make a CD/DVD Cover for Practically FREE!!

As the end of the year approaches many teachers are making CD/DVD yearbooks for their classrooms. Here is a simple way to create a protective cover so students can take them home without damaging the disk.

Step 1: Download Google Picasa

Step 2: How to Print


Step 3: How to fold

Web 2.0 Awards by CNET

Are you having a difficult time deciding which Web 2.0 tool is best for your classroom? Here is a good resource to browse through. These 100 sites were voted on by users and Web 2.0 aficionados so they are good quality sites. There are 10 websites in 10 different categories so peruse through them and find something good for next year!

The 11th category is Editor's choice make sure you check out those too.

http://www.cnet.com/html/ww/100/2009/winners.html

Are You Already Thinking About Next Year?

Here is a great and free opportunity for you to consider. Classroom 2.0 (http://www.classroom20.com/) is a website for teachers who want to implement Web 2.0 strategies in their classroom. They are hosting a webinar on how to create your own classroom Wiki. Even if you are not interested in Wikis there are a lot of great ideas for your classroom, I would strongly encourage you to join the Classroom 2.0 network. The best part about this is that you can take the class from the luxury of your own home because it’s a webinar. The Class is tonight at 7pm. (Sorry for the late notice, but I just found out about it myself.) Don’t worry if you miss this one, Classroom 2.0 has a weekly webinar for educators.

Here is the link about the Class “Go Wild with Wiki’s”
http://live.classroom20.com/classroom-20-beginner-series.html

Here is the link to join the class tonight at 7pm
http://tinyurl.com/qe27on

Archived Classes
http://live.classroom20.com/archive.html

Classroom Wikis in BISD
http://acftscience.wetpaint.com/?t=anon
http://alejandro-mace.pbworks.com/
http://porterpanther4thgrade.pbworks.com/
http://birdvilletech.wikispaces.com/

NASA's Ustream Channel

Watch it in your class or embed it on your website. Great resource for live NASA footage. The best part is that it's in HD. Here is the link to NASA's Ustream channel. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/spacevidcast

Adding Themes to Google Forms (Google's Survey Tool)

One of the good things about Google is that they are consistently improving their product. Here is a short video on adding a little bit of color to your Google Form. (Google's Survey Tool)