MySpace & Facebook How can we use them?

Test Your Social Networking Knowledge 1. Posting information on a social site allows anyone to see your information? (Y/N) 2. You can connect with anyone in any country at anytime? (Y/N) 3. These sites allow you to post pictures, videos, songs, quizzes, political preferences, and things to sell. (Y/N) 4. Students have lost potential jobs or been fired because of what is posted on their social network sites? (Y/N) 5. These sites are very dangerous and open the door to predators? (Y/N)

Answers to Quiz 1. No, on both of these sites, you can block anyone you like from viewing anything on your site. You must approve them before they can view your site. You can also remove someone as your friend at any time. 2. Yes, You can find and add anyone to be your friend at any time anywhere in the country, provided they are part of the network as well. 3. Yes, You can post more than just written information about yourself. You can sell things, post pictures, get involved politically, find out about events and much more. 4. Yes, We need to encourage students to communicate with one another, but in a professional safe manner. They need to be aware that these sites are no longer just for “kids” 5. No & Yes, There are tons of security measures for these sites, that you have to be aware of and use to avoid danger. It’s the same thing as advising kids not to walk down a dark alley at night alone. They should be careful what they post, who they invite to be their friends, and meeting people. For the most part, these are very safe sites when used correctly.

What is Myspace? MySpace It is a place for you to post pictures, news, information and to communicate with others Myspace is alternative way to /communicate with others, beyond just an . You can create a page and background that represents you and show “friends” what you are up to; it also allows you to keep up with friends lives as well.

What is Facebook? Facebook was created by college students for college students to communicate. It has now expanded to allow anyone to join in, but all pages have the same format – you can only customize the applications It again, allows people to communicate with others through means of pictures, quizzes, games, etc. Facebook also has an online market for your area, and includes different events that are taking place in your area.online market Facebook really works to build community in whatever you select allegiance with – it keeps you posted (look at all of these things you can add!) community

Why do kids use them? They are communicating Sharing pictures Posting information about what they are doing or where they are going Meeting new friends or rekindling friendships with old friends To join groups or communities of people who have similar interests

What information is included on these site? As much or as little as you like! You decide Most include basic facts: education, age, birthday, general location, music, TV, and film interests and general interests You can also add in picture slideshows, videos, music videos, quizzes for friends, maps of where you’ve been or would like to be, and tons more (these are all additional applications that you can add.)

How can we help kids? 1. We can make them aware of the fact that there are dangerous people online – just as there are dangerous people everywhere in the real world – it’s like warning kids about strangers 2. We can help them create sites that are informative and fun, but safe enough for a prospective job to view. 3. We can teach them about the dangers of the internet. 4. We can empower them by letting them teach us about the internet. 5. We can engage them in school by using these social sites in the classroom.

Group Aspect One of the biggest features on these sites is that you can create groups. You could essentially create a group for your class where you could conduct discussions, share files, music, etc. Here is an example of a group I’ve created that joined to together 300 different people.group You can decide who gets to be a member and see what happens in the group.

Ways to use it: Business Ed. Create a company/business and develop a site Create a resume English Create a site for a character character Create a site for a novel Set-up an online book discussion Have students develop online book clubs/groups with other students Develop a site dedicated to poetry, short stories, etc History Online book discussion Create a site for a historical figure Create a site for a historical time period Create a site for a historical event. Science Create a site for an element on the periodic table Create a site for an ecosystem, climate or region Develop a group to help save the Earth Develop an experiment, create a site for it and use the site to monitor your results Math Create a site for a formula Have kids create quizzes online using skills Create an online forum for your classroom to help one another Foreign Language Develop an online group/class for students where they are required to check in and chat with one another in the language Online book discussion Create a site for a state or country Find schools in other countries to connect with and set up an online pen pal center Have students research jobs and career opportunities in foreign companies P.E. Have students create a site for a wellness program or group Have students develop a site for a sport that teaches us how to use it, rules, etc. Have students develop a fitness club or group Music Have students create a music website for themselves – like a resume with their music and talents: upload podcasts, music, etc Have students create an online showcase for their class Have students create a site devoted to an artist or movement Art/Tech Ed Have students create a website for themselves – like a resume with their art and talents: upload pictures of artwork, projects, etc Have students create an online showcase for their class Have students create a site devoted to an artist or movement Have students set up instructional websites on how to create things Misc. Create a site for your business, sport or club Create a site to support an organization or cause that the school is involved in. Create a site for the school to announce events, show pictures, set up surveys, engage students in school

Now... You try Go to either or and create a site on your own. Explore what is out there, what dangers kids face and what ways we can be tapping into this social networking to work with and help kids You can either create a fake site or a real one. If you are not comfortable putting yourself out there, create a generic persona and address

Steps: 1. Go to one of the sites 2. You are going to need an address. Again if you want to create a fake site or use a different address from your normal one, you must create a new address first. (I recommend gmail or yahoo.) 3. Go to the site and create a profile. Begin entering in information 4. Look for other people you know.

Wrap-Up What were some things you learned? How can we use this in our school? In our classroom? What were some negatives about the sites? What were some positives about the sites? How do you feel about the sites? General thoughts or reactions?