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INTRODUCTION

Social networking is nothing new. We have been networking for years in many forms. Today, social networking has moved into cyberspace with the advent of social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. Have you wondered what all the fuss was about? Do you understand the world of online social networking? This adventure will introduce you to social networks through a site that allows you to define your own networks.

The following series of adventures will allow you to explore several aspects of the wonderful world of social networks.

Adventure 1: Orientation to Social Networks
Adventure 2: Your students and social networks
Adventure 3: Explore the world of NING
Adventure 4: Set up an NING account and join a group

ADVENTURE 1

Objective: This adventure will introduce you to the world of social networks

DIRECTIONS

Social Networking in Plain English: a quick tour of social networking

This short video does a great job of explaining how social networks work. Watch Social Networking in Plain English the move on to one of the adventures below.

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ADVENTURE 2

Objective: This adventure will allow you to get a glimps of social networking and your students

DIRECTIONS

If you teach 8th grade and above, chances are you have students that are active in social networking. The PEW research organization has reported that nationally:

  • 93 percent of teens use the Internet
  • 48 percent of Internet users visit video sharing sites (a form of social network)
  • 64 percent of teens create online content (much can be found in social network sites)
  • 55 percent of American youth are active on social networks like Facebook and MySpace

Are your students on Facebook? While you will not be able to view profiles without a Facebook account, you can find some of your students online in Facebook. Simply go to www.facebook.com and search for one of your students. Were you able to find anyone? Were you surprised at who was maintaining a presence in a social network?

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ADVENTURE 3

Objective: Explore the world of NING- Social Networks that you define

DIRECTIONS

Ning is a social networking site where you can define your network space. Simple go to www.ning.com and explore many of the open networks. Below are a few of suggested sites for you to explore.

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ADVENTURE 4

Objective: Setup your own Ning account and join a group

DIRECTIONS

Simply go to www.ning.com and set up a free account. Now go to one of the sites below and join the group. Introduce yourself and join in the conversation. We would really like you to join the NAIS Conference Discussion site. This will allow you to interact with others that have attended this year’s conference. Sharing a common experience gives everyone a common reference point for conversations. Share what you have learned. Read what others have learned. Join a group within the NAIS Conference Discussion NING. Welcome to the world of connections, degrees of separation. Welcome to the world of social networking.

NAIS Conference Discussion: http://naisnet.ning.com/ When you have joined this network, consider joining one of the groups listed below. Each of these are part of the NAIS conference Discussion Network.

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