Comments on: Social Networks – why? http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2007/12/17/social-networks-why/ Discussions on education and learning Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:15:24 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Time to network - forget about the social « Educational Discourse http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2007/12/17/social-networks-why/comment-page-1/#comment-2674 Time to network - forget about the social « Educational Discourse Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:07:49 +0000 http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2007/12/17/social-networks-why/#comment-2674 [...] 19, 2007 Since Monday I’ve been having conversations about teachers and their lack of participation in social networking. I’ve been reflecting on the whole idea [...] [...] 19, 2007 Since Monday I’ve been having conversations about teachers and their lack of participation in social networking. I’ve been reflecting on the whole idea [...]

]]> By: kwhobbes http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2007/12/17/social-networks-why/comment-page-1/#comment-2673 kwhobbes Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:50:44 +0000 http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2007/12/17/social-networks-why/#comment-2673 David, you're right about the outskirts. As we move toward being more connected, there has to be some way that those of us who choose different things can continue on with the conversation. I know that on twitter I follow and respond to nearly everyone who contacts me. I feel that it is important to do this. It sometimes takes me a while to get caught up on the tweets but I then know what is happening. I'm thinking that not all people do this and you really don't know who is getting your tweets. Dean - yep. I guess I just see that teachers are being asked to do so much without anyone saying "Hey, that's enough. Let's really take a look and see what we can do to make things manageable." It's not happening. People who are using the various tools are doing so because they have a burning desire to do so. We need to be better at deciding what it is we expect of these people. Right now the only way I see some of them being able to do what the many on the edge are doing is by giving them those cool capes with the "S" on the back. Heidi - you are right about the social networks being important. However, I'm not sure that is where the students in elementary, middle years and high school are going to make these connections. I've had a school website and blog for over 2 years. It is sent out with each newsletter. I've had no parent read or contact me and the stuff I get is from disgruntled students who want to vent without being known. It may become important in the future but right now, parents and students aren't there. The students are on the social networks but they don't want to contact teachers from school. Really, would you at that age? I agree that we need to do a better job with the networking but this has to be done in a way that doesn't continue to add to the stress that teachers already have. With my staff, we are doing small things in the hope that they will lead to greater leaps in the future but Rome wasn't built in a night. David, you’re right about the outskirts. As we move toward being more connected, there has to be some way that those of us who choose different things can continue on with the conversation. I know that on twitter I follow and respond to nearly everyone who contacts me. I feel that it is important to do this. It sometimes takes me a while to get caught up on the tweets but I then know what is happening. I’m thinking that not all people do this and you really don’t know who is getting your tweets.
Dean – yep. I guess I just see that teachers are being asked to do so much without anyone saying “Hey, that’s enough. Let’s really take a look and see what we can do to make things manageable.” It’s not happening. People who are using the various tools are doing so because they have a burning desire to do so. We need to be better at deciding what it is we expect of these people. Right now the only way I see some of them being able to do what the many on the edge are doing is by giving them those cool capes with the “S” on the back.
Heidi – you are right about the social networks being important. However, I’m not sure that is where the students in elementary, middle years and high school are going to make these connections. I’ve had a school website and blog for over 2 years. It is sent out with each newsletter. I’ve had no parent read or contact me and the stuff I get is from disgruntled students who want to vent without being known. It may become important in the future but right now, parents and students aren’t there. The students are on the social networks but they don’t want to contact teachers from school. Really, would you at that age?
I agree that we need to do a better job with the networking but this has to be done in a way that doesn’t continue to add to the stress that teachers already have. With my staff, we are doing small things in the hope that they will lead to greater leaps in the future but Rome wasn’t built in a night.

]]> By: Heidi Cool http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2007/12/17/social-networks-why/comment-page-1/#comment-2672 Heidi Cool Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:58:11 +0000 http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2007/12/17/social-networks-why/#comment-2672 I do Web development for a university. I feel compelled to use and understand social media to understand the role it plays in the overall Web mix. In the process I've made great connections on Flickr, Pownce, etc. I've also started posting notes on my Facebook account whenever I make a new blog post because that's where all the students are. And the staff and faculty are beginning to catch on. Yesterday I got my first Web question via Facebook from a faculty member. Usually these come via email or as a comment to a blog post. Today I needed to contact someone I know on Pownce and debated whether I used regular email or sent a private Pownce message. As the lines of communication blur, it may not be that teachers have to use these tools, but it will help them understand when students suggest oh, just send it to me on MySpace rather than handing out an e-mail address. In higher ed we're finding that the social networks are where the students are. So even if teachers don't need to network with each other in places like Pownce, it probably will help them to reach the kids if they understand what all that Twittering is about. I do Web development for a university. I feel compelled to use and understand social media to understand the role it plays in the overall Web mix. In the process I’ve made great connections on Flickr, Pownce, etc. I’ve also started posting notes on my Facebook account whenever I make a new blog post because that’s where all the students are. And the staff and faculty are beginning to catch on.

Yesterday I got my first Web question via Facebook from a faculty member. Usually these come via email or as a comment to a blog post. Today I needed to contact someone I know on Pownce and debated whether I used regular email or sent a private Pownce message. As the lines of communication blur, it may not be that teachers have to use these tools, but it will help them understand when students suggest oh, just send it to me on MySpace rather than handing out an e-mail address.

In higher ed we’re finding that the social networks are where the students are. So even if teachers don’t need to network with each other in places like Pownce, it probably will help them to reach the kids if they understand what all that Twittering is about.

]]> By: Dean Shareski http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2007/12/17/social-networks-why/comment-page-1/#comment-2671 Dean Shareski Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:23:05 +0000 http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2007/12/17/social-networks-why/#comment-2671 There you go again...standing up for teachers! I also appreciate your voice and you know that in principle, we likely agree on almost everything. Part of your posts that are most compelling are your descriptions of the reality of daily life in schools. They help frame the discussion from theoretical, which I espouse, to reality. You describe an environment that is typical. That said, part of my belief is that these structures, confinements ought not only to be challenged but if used properly, social networking would help to resolve some of these issues. When done properly and effectively they save time. There's a book out called "The Age of Speed". I haven't read it but heard the author discuss that it's all about leveraging technology to make things better which has always been its promise but in reality, places like schools haven't always seen that. He used the example of learning to ride a bike. Until you can go fast enough, you can't ride properly. If you pedal too slowly, even though you're nervous, you keep falling down. It's not until you move really fast is the ride smooth and safer. Most teachers aren't there and won't until they move faster which while I understand is difficult in our current circumstances, is what must happen There you go again…standing up for teachers! I also appreciate your voice and you know that in principle, we likely agree on almost everything. Part of your posts that are most compelling are your descriptions of the reality of daily life in schools. They help frame the discussion from theoretical, which I espouse, to reality.
You describe an environment that is typical. That said, part of my belief is that these structures, confinements ought not only to be challenged but if used properly, social networking would help to resolve some of these issues. When done properly and effectively they save time.
There’s a book out called “The Age of Speed”. I haven’t read it but heard the author discuss that it’s all about leveraging technology to make things better which has always been its promise but in reality, places like schools haven’t always seen that. He used the example of learning to ride a bike. Until you can go fast enough, you can’t ride properly. If you pedal too slowly, even though you’re nervous, you keep falling down. It’s not until you move really fast is the ride smooth and safer.
Most teachers aren’t there and won’t until they move faster which while I understand is difficult in our current circumstances, is what must happen

]]> By: David Truss http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2007/12/17/social-networks-why/comment-page-1/#comment-2670 David Truss Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:22:36 +0000 http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2007/12/17/social-networks-why/#comment-2670 Kelly, I think your last point is very true! In many ways I feel like I've been in an online community for a very long time, and yet often feel on the 'outskirts'. I took it personally at first, but realize now that I too choose other things, like family, as a bigger priority. The networks you speak of seem to require continued focus and attention, where I meander in and out as I have time. ...'having time' is the ultimate killer to more people engaging in technology. I think Warlick makes the point better than I can: http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/2007/12/04/my-apologies -structural changes are needed! As for networks, WE are connected and I would consider the relationship fully developed though we have never met f2f:-) Kelly,
I think your last point is very true! In many ways I feel like I’ve been in an online community for a very long time, and yet often feel on the ‘outskirts’. I took it personally at first, but realize now that I too choose other things, like family, as a bigger priority. The networks you speak of seem to require continued focus and attention, where I meander in and out as I have time.
…’having time’ is the ultimate killer to more people engaging in technology. I think Warlick makes the point better than I can:
http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/2007/12/04/my-apologies
-structural changes are needed!
As for networks, WE are connected and I would consider the relationship fully developed though we have never met f2f:-)

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