Social Networking

I have to admit, my mother would make fun of me for the fact that she is on Twitter and I had NO clue how it even worked. My brother, an entrepreneur, is always asking me to sign up for the latest social networking thing, and of course I do, to make him happy. But I have never really thought much of them, until now. This class has opened my eyes to so many resources that I joined and became a part of but never used.

Social Networking is such a neat tool. It can be used for almost everything and anything. It can be used to build a business, make friends, show off talent, or share opinions. Social networking is not only for adults and teens it is also for kids! As an elementary school teacher, I found this amazing. I really enjoyed the article "Social Networking Goes to School" by Michelle R. Davis. In the article she commented on how children are using webkinz and interacting with other children, that it only "makes sense to engage them this way". I completely agree. However, nothing is ever that easy. To begin with, many children in low socio-economic areas do not have access to computers and the internet. Another hurdle to jump, which Michelle mentions in the article, is that many schools ban websites such as facebook, twitter, and other social networking sites. I see both the pros and cons of both sides. Which is another reason I have come to love blogs. Blogs can be safe, easy and effective. They can also give you "nearly real-time" answers and allow you to interact with others. I believe that a school or classroom could have a facebook page to allow parents and students alike to comment and share ideas and opinions. There are just so many options, such as edmodo, that are out there, but I have yet to research or even come across.

Social Networking is an integral part of my life. I would like to say that it isn't, but i would be lying. I moved from Michigan to Tennessee and I keep in contact with many people on Facebook. I think it is a wonderful tool to keep in contact with your friends and family. I no longer document every second of my life (as i did when I was in high school when FB originated) but I do like to make some comments as well as comment on the lives of others. As a professional, I believe there are other sites to join. I liked LinkedIn as a site for professionals sharing and collaborating. I could also see myself using Ning in the future. I am a creature of habit and when i find something i like and know how to use, it is difficult for me to venture off to the unknown.