1. Turning Social Networks into an Academic Learning Space Dr. Andrew Simoncelli Nicholls State University

2. “ The traditional classroom concept will disappear, replaced by “Learning spaces” Real time, any- time learning”- Blog

3. Buzzwords  Generation M 8-18 year-olds  Web 2.0  Wiki Allows visitors to add, remove, and change content  Blogs User-generated entries are made in journal style  RSS (Really Simple Syndication) Family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated digital content  Social networking

4. Statistics on Social Networks  1.1 Billion Internet users worldwide  8-18-year-olds spend 6.5 hours a day using electronic media 8.5 hours worth due to multitasking  55% of American youth 12-17 use online social networks (pewinternet.org)  60% of students consider themselves Internet “content” producers  Movies and music promotion  Fake sites for objects  Chair, butter etc.

5. Social Networks  MySpace 171,214,194 users (4/14/2007) Bought by News Corp in ’05 for $580 mil.  Facebook Used in educational communities 4,852 people in the Nicholls State network  Friendster Original network 40 million users  Club Penguin Aimed to 8-14-year-olds

6. Most Popular sites on the Web (US) 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Source: http://www.alexa.comhttp://www.alexa.com

7. Do You have a site on?

8. Social Networking Dangers  Predators  Employers looking at sites  More than a third of teachers said MySpace and other social networking websites have disrupted their school’s learning environment (NEA Today, March 2007)

9. Social Networking Dangers  Are you worried about employers, family members, or teachers seeing your site?  Yes: 6%  No: 94%

10. Blocking out Sites  Wikipedia for research??? University of Pennsylvania, UCLA  U.S. Schools  LA Schools limited restrictions for bandwidth concerns

11. How often do you update your personal content on these sites?

12. How much time do you spend on these sites daily?

13. How much time do you spend on schoolwork daily?

14. Blogging  Basic lecture is an audio blog  Turning blogs into learning aids Hangletonweblogs.org  Enhance real-world learning environment  Interschool group projects Weblogs.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/georgia  Uses infinite time for discussion  Academic Research Huminif.uib.no/~jill/txt/researchblogs.html

15. Blogging  Do you post a personal blog on these sites?  Yes: 36%  No: 64%

16.  Free encyclopedia that anyone can edit  1.5 million entries  In a six month period Wikipedia tracked more than 1,000 changes in the biographies of U.S. House and Senate members made by their staffers to delete unflattering material or enhance their entry

17.  Do you use Wikipedia for academic research?  Yes: 56%  No: 44%

18. What is your favorite form of communication with friends?

19. What is your favorite form of communication with teachers?

20. What is your LEAST favorite form of communication with friends?

21. What is your LEAST favorite form of communication with teachers?

22. Why do you go on these sites?

23. What is missing from CMS?  More personal Opinions, pics, music, communication  Communicate with friends non students or classmates  Creativity and personal customization  Interaction  Ease of Use  Non-academic

24. What is missing?  Students create content  Personal opinion  Peer-to-peer interaction  Constructivism  Flexibility

25. What can I do?  Turn discussion board into blog Own words  Turn lectures into blog Tests and assignments  Allow students to create and share content  Transform syllabi into interactive global learning tools

26. What can I do?  Use Internet to fullest capability Hyperlinking  Online Resources  YouTube videos Provide content and can also stimulate the interest that makes the curriculum relevant  Brooklyn College Library 2530 friends in 7-months Marketing and announcements  Realize that nothing is cool forever Academia may kill the networks

27. Turning Social Networks into an Academic Learning Space Dr. Andrew Simoncelli Nicholls State University