MODULE 6 Assignment: Research Ways Schools Are Using Social Networking for Teaching and Learning
1. (2009). Facebook classroom management & projects with student cell phones. From Toy to Tools. Retrieved from: https://www.diigo.com/bookmark/http%3A%2F%2Fcellphonesinlearning.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Ffacebook-classroom-management-projects.html?tab=people&uname=comi8903

This project uses Facebook in cell phones in the classroom as a part of everyday learning and participation.

2. Ally, M. (2012). Student attention, engagement and participation in a Twitter-friendly classroom. ACIS. Retrieved from: https://eprints.usq.edu.au/22703/2/Ally_Studentattention_ACS_2012_PV.pdf
In this project the teacher taught the students basics of Twitter e.g., how to set up an account, post tweets, hashtages, etc. The teacher then had the class participate in discussions via twitter. This seemed to increase the participation of the students.

3. (2013). Campus Interviews. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbHaNc5B7N8&list=PL7384A0116E6D6A43&index=4
One teacher had her students conduct campus interview via YouTube. I think this is creative and students really enjoyed the assignment.

4. Dujardin, F., Edwards, K., & Beckingham, S. (2012). Diigo: Social Bookmarking in a Professional Communication Course. Transformation in Teaching: Social Media Strategies in Higher Education. Informing Science. Retrieved from: http://blogs.chatham.edu/fellows/files/2012/03/Transformation_in_Teaching_Social_Media.pdf
This project was used in an upper level class. The students were taught how to use Diigo. The paper describes how Diigo increased participation, increased grades, and the students seemed to like the social media aspect.

5. (2012). Facebook in the classroom. Retrieved from: https://www.diigo.com/bookmark/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eslteachersboard.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Flessons%2Findex.pl%3Fread%3D2793?tab=people&uname=comi8903
This website is an example of how a teacher was able to incorporate Facebook into his classroom. There are many great examples here.

6. Golden, M. (2013). Using social media and collaborative work tools. Retrieved from: http://agb.org/sites/agb.org/files/u16/Social%20Media%20%26%20Collaborative%20Tools.pdf
This PowerPoint expresses how one teacher used and describes how to use multiple social media as a collaborative tool in teaching.

7. Mazer, J. P., Murphy, R. E., & Simonds, C. J. (2007). I'll See You On "Facebook": The Effects of Computer-Mediated Teacher Self-Disclosure on Student Motivation, Affective Learning, and Classroom Climate. Communication Education. Retrieved from: http://www.gtaan.gatech.edu/meetings/handouts/MazerFacebook.pdf
This project was very interesting to read about. The teacher wrote a self-disclosure page, and the article goes on to discuss how this may help students to feel better and more comfortable.

8. Mr. Featherstone. (2009). Facebook a character. Retrieved from: https://www.diigo.com/bookmark/http%3A%2F%2Fmrfeatherstone.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Funit-project-facebook-character.html?tab=people&uname=comi8903
This project was a fun one to read about. Mr. Featherstone had his students create a Facebook page based on their favorite character.

9. Retelny, D., Birnholtz, J., & Hancock, J. (2012). Tweeting for class: using social media to enable student co-construction of lectures. AMC. Retrieved from: http://socialmedia.northwestern.edu/files/2012/09/retelny2012_tweetingforclass.pdf
This project had students post discussion questions before the class lecture. Questions were discussed and more students were able to participate in a "safe" environment.
10. Young, J. (2013). Professor encourages students to pass notes during class - via twitter. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from: https://www.diigo.com/bookmark/http%3A%2F%2Fchronicle.com%2Fblogs%2Fwiredcampus%2Fprofessor-encourages-students-to-pass-notes-during-class-via-twitter%2F4619?tab=people&uname=comi8903
This article expresses how one professor chose to use Twitter in his class. He feels that the class discussions are richer because there is a constant stream of communication.

Casey, this is a great resource. I never really realized how many social media sites there were. I also like the idea of accessibility. Everything being in essentially one place and easy to manage. I also did a review of this resource. I also like how he was using technology to give us examples (i.e. using a podcast). Thank you for sharing!

This article helped to synthesize all of the other articles I read on PLNs. It states, "Personal Learning Networks are systems that help learners take control of and manage their own learning. This includes providing support for learners to: set their own learning goals, manage their learning; managing both content and process, communicate with others in the process of learning and thereby achieve learning goals."
I especially like how this article goes into depth about what a PLN is and why it is important to your own personal learning. This particular article is geared toward educators and created their own PLNs. Below I found this list to be helpful on what exactly an educator could add to their own PLNs:
Here are some ways that educators are using their PLNs:
- Professional development - learn from content-area specialists
- Locate resources for your classroom, such as free websites and software
- Get lesson plan ideas from master teachers
- Learn about new technology and how to integrate it into your teaching
- Find collaborative solutions
- Find interesting links to education news

Although this article is a bit of a how to it goes more in depth of what a PLN can do for a student instead of how. This article discusses the uses of Twitter in the classroom and its benefits on students using it. Here it is expressed that students can move away from "other" internet sources that do not help them learn and begin informative, useful discussions on a platform they are familiar with.
This article discusses how Twitter can be a great resource for student "conversations about research, trends and resources within their fields of study." I always thought of Twitter as nonsense and people looking for attention on what is going on in their lives; however now with the understanding that conversations and resources being shared can happen via Twitter I am changing my mind.

This article is very interesting if you get a minute to read it. This article discusses a PLN from a student's perspective. One student states, "My PLN has RSS feeds to tie everything onto my iGoogle page, such as new blog posts, updates on the wiki, and so on, I also have a feed from Google News so I can get live updates from the Web on recent examples of the topic I'm working on. It basically does the research for me."
The comment from the student above is very interesting. I never thought of my PLN as doing work for me, but in a sense that is exactly what a PLN is. It is a quick and easier way to find information from people and other sources. Students have the neatest thoughts!

I know Wikipedia is not a scholarly resource; however, most people will look here first to get a quick overview of a certain topic. I think that Wikipedia is a great starting place for research to gain a better understanding initially.
According to Wikipedia, "A personal learning network is an informal learning network that consists of the people a learner interacts with and derives knowledge from in a personal learning environment. In a PLN, a person makes a connection with another person with the specific intent that some type of learning will occur because of that connection." To my understanding this means that I would use Facebook, for example, to make a connection with a certain person. Whereas, a PLE is the technology used not the connections made.

This YouTube video explains what personal learning communities can do for you. For example, you have a friend that is exceptionally gifted with technology, but one day he leaves and your network for technology is gone. This is a good reason to create a learning network of other professionals that have similar skills that you can borrow knowledge and in turn give them our knowledge.
The narrator states that personal learning communities are two way streets - give and take. He states that a good way to keep in touch with collages is Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail. This is important because you don't have to bug your connections, but you can read their blogs or other resources.

This article is an overview on Connectivism and how it applies to today's learners. It explicitly discusses how other learning theories may be a thing of the past and no longer understand today's learners. The reason for this is the shift in technology and the application of that technology in all aspects of our lives. The article also goes in depth discussing how Connectivism not only applies to today's learners but to the learners of the future.
Connectivism in its own right is progressive in thought - just like the technology being created for learners of today. The image below describes in one word what the learning theory encompasses. I think this image is very insightful in that Connectivism is concerned with distributed knowledge or knowledge gain from multiple sources and mediums all make connections.

This article discusses the learning theories of Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism, and Connectivism. These learning theories help educators shape ideas of how to structure a classroom based on research and different types of teaching and learning environments.
These learning theories try to help make the learning process better by trying to understand where learners are coming from, how they learn, why they learn, and so forth. Connectivism theory stems on the belief that learners learn best when they can connect to something they already know, or they have experience with, when learning something new - for example, using Facebook as a means to write a short essay about Shakespeare. This type of medium they feel comfortable with.

This article discusses Connectivism. Connectivism is a learning theory. This theory encompasses the idea that people learn in multiple ways. Connectivism is especially concerned with technology and its use toward "being able to do something." According to this article Connectivism also understands that motivation is a key element in learning, and learners will learn more if they can "connect" to other resources that they are familiar with while learning new material.
The Connectivism theory centers on what is already known to help learn the unknown. This connection can help to maintain learning, and tools that help learners make connections are a large part of the Connectivism theory.

This website discusses the learning theory of Lave and Wenger. This website discusses how communities of practice are a way to improve knowledge. They state, "People see [communities of practice] as ways of promoting innovation, developing social capital, facilitating and spreading knowledge within a group, spreading existing tacit knowledge, etc." This statement really encapsulates what I think a community of practice is.

The article continues by defining communities of practice stating, "Communities of Practice can be defined, in part, as a process of social learning that occurs when people who have a common interest in a subject or area collaborate over an extended period of time, sharing ideas and strategies, determine solutions, and build innovations." This seems to be a great definition. People working toward a common goal or interest are able to share through an online medium.

The Project Management institute practices "communities of practice." Through this website I found that the institute meets online to discuss ideas with other professional. They collaborate through "wikis, webinars, discussion forums, and blogs." I thought it was especially useful information because they added how they collaborate. They also encourage others to join their communities and learn from others.
Another interesting aspect of this article is the statement, "Participate in as many communities as you like. The more you get involved, the more you'll enjoy your PMI membership." This was useful for me to understand a little more about communities of practice. I now understand that it requires a good amount of involvement to be successful.

This is my future blog that will be incorporate information about all things English. I will begin to put information about fun English lessons, games, tools, etc. I hope you enjoy this link.