Social+Networking

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Introduction
 Social networking is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the online community. Many of the Web 2.0 tools used today are based around this concept of a "social network"--engaging with users, sharing content, and changing content. It has shaped the way people now digest information and has created a rich collaborative environment.

In the education world, social networking is an important component to teaching, collaboration, and the sharing of ideas. At Beaver, we created a social network ([|iTeach]) with the purpose of promoting continuous professional development. The past year, iTeach has been used to foster discussion, urge colleagues to play around with new tools, and to discuss the way content is delivered to students.

This module will introduce you to the concept of social networking and how Beaver is using this tool.

Please begin by checking out this article [|"Social Networking a Boon for Education"].

Watch Common Craft's short video [|"Social Networking in Plain English"] media type="youtube" key="6a_KF7TYKVc" height="344" width="425"

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 * NOTE**: If you want to read more about the "Digital Student", check out [|"Living and Learning With New Media".]

Discovery Exercises
 Complete all 4 exercises.


//Already a member of iTeach, please go directly to Exercise 2. //

Joining the iTeach Ning is easy. 
 * Go to  [|iTeach Ning], click the join link in the upper right corner of the screen. Please use your bcdschool.org email address.
 * HELP**: [|How do I join iTeach? (video)]

__Exercise 2__
 If you haven't already customized your profile page at the [|iTeach Ning], let's get started.  
 * Click on "My Page" at the [|iTeach Ning] and upload a photo of yourself to use as an avatar at the site.
 * NOTE**: [|What is an Avatar?]
 * HELP**: [|How do I upload a profile photo to Ning?]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Add content about yourself to your profile page.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Exercise 3__
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> The Ning allows you to inform your colleagues about important conferences and events happening in the area or online. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Find an event or conference that you think your colleagues might be interested in.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Post the event or conference information to the Ning's Events Page.
 * HELP**: [|How to post an "Event" to the Ning.]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Exercise 4__
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> The Ning allows you to add blog posts that any member of the Ning can read and comment on. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Add a blog post about how one of the following topics to your page on the[| iTeach Ning]. The blog post should include: an embedded image or video.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Topics- differentiated learning, collaboration, or assessment.
 * HELP**: [|How to create a blogpost on the Ning.]
 * HELP**: [|How to embed images or videos in a blogpost.]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Stretching Exercises
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Start a Discussion Thread about a topic in education that interests you, or perhaps a current event in education you recently read about.


 * NOTE**: Be sure to title your discussion thread appropriately! Make sure your colleagues know what the discussion is about so they will click and engage!


 * HELP**: [|How to start a discussion forum.]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**NOTE**: There will be a number of Help articles for you along the way. However, you may want to keep the [|Ning Help Center] available throughout the module.

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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> All done with this module, don't forget to complete this form.

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