Turning Social Networks into an Turning Social Networks into an Academic Learning SpaceAcademic Learning Space

Dr. Andrew SimoncelliDr. Andrew Simoncelli

Nicholls State UniversityNicholls State University

“The traditional classroom concept will disappear, replaced by “Learning

spaces” Real time, any-time learning”- Blog

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

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.

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

Most Popular sites on the Web (US)

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Source: http://www.alexa.com

Do You have a site on?

74%

23%

12% 15%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

MySpace Facebook Both Neither

n=242

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)

Social Networking Dangers

Are you worried about employers, family members, or teachers seeing your site?

Yes: 6%

No: 94%

Blocking out Sites

Wikipedia for research??? University of Pennsylvania, UCLA

U.S. Schools LA Schools

limited restrictions for bandwidth concerns

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

1

1614

20

0

5

10

15

20

Daily Weekly Monthly Over aMonth

n=51

How much time do you spend on these sites daily?

11% 13%

28%

48%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

<30 min 30 min-1hr

1 hour-2hours

2 hours ormore

n=236

How much time do you spendon schoolwork daily?

37%34%

15% 14%

0%5%

10%

15%20%

25%30%

35%40%

<30 min 30 min-1hr

1 hour-2hours

2 hours ormore

n=241

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

Blogging

Do you post a personal blog on these sites?

Yes: 36%

No: 64%

What is your favorite form of communication with friends?

0%21%

17%

2%

0%

60%

e-mailPhoneTextIMDiscussion BoardIn Person

What is your favorite form of communication with teachers?

18%

6%

2%

0%

4%70%

e-mailPhoneTextIMDiscussion BoardIn Person

Why do you go on these sites?

15%

27%

34%

24%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Meet newpeople

Communicatew/ friends

Post Personalcontent

Look atothers' sites

n=242

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

What is missing?

Students create content Personal opinion Peer-to-peer interaction Constructivism Flexibility

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

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

Turning Social Networks into an Turning Social Networks into an Academic Learning SpaceAcademic Learning Space

Dr. Andrew SimoncelliDr. Andrew Simoncelli

Nicholls State UniversityNicholls State University