This article reviews and synthesizes current practices and thoughts on how Web 2.0 allows for participatory/networked learning. It references Gee 2004's affinity spaces, Jenkins et al. 2006's participatory culture and Wenger 1998's communities of practices. I found the author's components of Web 2.0 spaces to be useful especially for whenever I may need to explain the essentials of a social network. These components were listed as presence, modification, user-generated content and social participation. I also found the author's use of the DJ metaphor to explain re-appropriation and remixing of content to be helpful.
Billed as an "education 2.0 social network for your class," Diipo reminds me more of Edmodo and some Blackboard applications rather than Pinterest or your standard social network. That's a good thing. Diversity and competition are wonderful for this kind of environment. Like Edmodo and other tools of that ilk, Diipo offers plenty of 'community' tools such as a group discussion area, direct messaging, student project management, class rosters, microblogging, a knowledgebase, and the ability to upload and share files. That last one is my favorite and seems to be one of the most useful ways to start with Diipo. Don't want to use Dropbox or unsure about other cloud-hosted services? Diipo (to me at least) has shown itself to be a simple and secure way to effectively upload and share digital resources for your class only.
Visit this presentation website to learn how educators can use Web 2.0 tools to communicate and collaborate with peers and learn about some of the newest tools teachers are using to support their own professional learning goals. Contains links to a number of PLN resources.