What I am thinking is that Diigo can replace complicated and expensive Learning Management Systems.
For example by using the following you can create/publish your own content online and for free. You can also facilitate discussions and assessments...
Essentially your course/unit/assignment could be built online and facilitated through Diigo.
http://pen.io/ "Pen.io is a super fast way to publish content online." It can be used to instantly publish a syllabus, an assignment, give a "clue" for a webquest, or just about anything that you want to post online.
http://embedit.in/ This site allows you to embed PDFs or documents online. Students can view the online version, download it, or print it.
http://voicethread.com/ This site allows you to post slides or video. You can then add video, audio, text comments/instructions for students...and they can do the same.
And, now thanks to Dorothy...I have been introduced to wallwisher.com. My immediate thoughts are that this site could be great for formative assessments. Students could post answers to "exit tickets" here, ask questions that they would like answered in the next class/unit/assignment, etc.
Diigo allows you to essentially access "traditional" information via Pen.io and Embedit.in, direct student to the exact webpages/videos/games that you choose (with your comments and highlights), find and participate in a discussion/assessment via Voicethread, ask questions/share information via wallwisher, and... You tell me what else it can be used for!
Marie, my primary use and focus with Diigo is the social networking aspect that you mentioned. There is definitely truth to the statement that "Chance favors the connected mind."
I've created a group for Vermont / New England educators to share research, ideas, grant opportunities, conferences, etc. in Diigo. At the heart of the group is the idea of transformational pedagogy.
Members include individuals from the VT DoE, school administrators, teachers, future teachers, parents, non-profits, colleges, and others involved/interested in improving the educational experience and outcomes of Vermont and New England students.
This is an open invite to anyone interested in exploring the research and success stories behind topics such as authentic assessment, thematic instruction, integrated learning, student engagement, student voice, external learning opportunities, and more.
Really, Marie, a large part of what we are doing is grounded theory research. We are sharing data and stories so that others in the field can then begin to create their own ideas and theories about how that information might be applied to the improvement of education in their schools.
"…we are learners together in this learning community and we are our own best resource: Our collective knowledge is an invaluable asset." from Faculty Learning Communities: Benefiting from Collective Wisdom