Group items tagged

GROU.PS is a social applications platform that gives you all the tools you need to keep your online community connected. More formally, we call our product a social groupware - some also call it DIY social network, or white label social network. But technically speaking, we prefer the term social operating system to describe what we do here. GROU.PS gives you a bunch of modules that you choose from and mash up very easily! You can enrich your site with blocks too; blocks allow you to copy/paste 3rd party widgets into your site.

ConnectSafely is for parents, teens, educators, advocates - everyone engaged in and interested in the impact of the social Web. The user-driven, all-media, multi-platform, fixed and mobile social Web is a big part of young people's lives, and this is the central space - linked to from social networks across the Web - for learning about safe, civil use of Web 2.0 together. Our forum is also designed to give teens and parents a voice in the public discussion about youth online safety begun back in the '90s. ConnectSafely also has all kinds of social-media safety tips for teens and parents, the latest youth-tech news, and many other resources.

Built for tweens, Everloop is the next step beyond social networking, to what we call social looping. Tweens really shouldn't be on open, social networks. Everloop's "social looping" platform - the first of its kind -- creates a privacy loop around kids' connections. It's totally free. And kids are free from anonymous intruders. They can participate in collaborative learning and school projects, share information about their sports teams and clubs, play games, customize their profile pages, and communicate in real time with friends they know who are part of their loop. There is so much negativity around kids and their online behavior. But we all know that good things come from collaborating with each other, sharing information, and connecting with people who have the same interests we have. So at Everloop, we're recognizing that kids want to be online, and our goal is to get kids' online time focused on connecting with a purpose. Through the partnerships we're signing, Everloop will be the platform kids groups use to actively promote, entertain, and inform. Loaded with educational resources, entertainment opportunities, and apps, we'll foster content sharing, innovation, and entrepreneurial development. All within a private loop. As kids interests grow, their loops can intersect with other loops - but never without the knowledge of their parents, who have their own console login and can monitor behavior at whatever level they decide is appropriate for their children. They are always informed before a child tries to expand his or her loop, and they are always in control.

If you're like me, you act differently on different social networks. You share certain things on Facebook that you wouldn't share on Twitter. You post stuff on Pinterest that you wouldn't post on Path or share on instant message. Because of this, it's important for students (and teachers and everyone else!) to remember the proper social media etiquette that you should follow while sharing online.

In many schools and learning organizations, professional development is still an "event." It's something that happens a few times a year, imparting isolated chunks of information and strategy to educators. This type of learning is often not pervasive enough to inform everyday practice. Social media has the ability to change that. And teachers are starting to take this to heart.

During 2008, we've tried to bring you the best how-tos for achieving more with social media tools: everything from Google products to blogging to online video to productivity and beyond. Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon, Friendfeed, and Delicious all got the How-To treatment. Today, as the year draws to a close, we bring you a hand-picked selection of Mashable's social media How-To articles in 2008; some holiday reading, perhaps, or something to refer back to once you restart the daily grind in 2009. Enjoy!

This position statement focuses on the critical role of media literacy in the social studies curriculum. The statement addresses the following questions. First, why and how has media literacy taken on a significantly more important role in preparing citizens for democratic life? Second, how is media literacy defined, and what are some of its essential concepts? Finally, what is required to teach media literacy and what are some examples of classroom activities?

"Is there a right and a wrong way to teach social media in schools? Some administrators think so. Many schools across the country have banned the use of social networking platforms, but others are transitioning to a more proactive approach. Many experts and school officials say that abandoning the more reactionary responses to social media is the first step toward implanting a more effective digital literacy education."

Schoology provides an enterprise level learning management system and configurable social network. Instructors and students can easily create, share, and manage academic material through a social networking interface. By incorporating learning management tools into a social environment, Schoology provides a means for teachers, students, parents, and administrators to seamlessly communicate and collaborate on academic issues.

Social Studies Central is intended to provide resources with a focus on the Social Studies, to support teachers as they improve their instruction and to help educators engage kids in learning. You will find lesson plans, new web sites, links to standards and assessment advice, technology integration resources and information about workshops and staff development.

"Welcome to Pennsylvania Social Studies! This site is an unofficial resource designed by the Social Studies Advisor at the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist teachers, administrators and private citizens negotiate the changing landscape of social studies education in the Commonwealth. Please feel free to explore the site's pages, as new information and page content will be posted as time and urgency permit. Of course, we welcome suggestions for ways to make this resource more useful to you. "

"What is a PLN? If I had to define what a 'Personal Learning Network' is, I would keep it simple and broad: n. - the entire collection of people with whom you engage and exchange information, usually online. Personal Learning Networks, or PLNs, have been around forever. Originally, they were your family and friends, maybe other educators you worked with, but as the internet and web 2.0 tools have become nearly ubiquitous, PLNs can include tons of different communities - social networking sites like Facebook, blogs, Twitter, wikis, social bookmarking tools, LinkedIn, and so many more. Basically, anyone that you interact with is apart of your PLN, whether they are social contacts, professional peers, or experts in their field. Most of the 'learning' takes place on-line now, because it is simple to find and connect with others with similar interests from around the world."

"Social media may have started out as a fun way to connect with friends, but it has evolved to become a powerful tool for education and business. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter and tools such as Skype are connecting students to learning opportunities in new and exciting ways. Whether you teach an elementary class, a traditional college class, or at an online university, you will find inspirational ways to incorporate social media in your classroom with this list."

examples of social networks for educators articles on the benefits of social networks for teachers

LearnCentral is a new social learning network for education, sponsored by Elluminate. More than a social network or a learning community, this free, open environment represents the next logical step of combining asynchronous social networking and the ability to store, organize, and find educational resources with the live, online meeting and collaboration provided by Elluminate technology. Not just for Elluminate customers, LearnCentral is for any educator who is passionate about teaching and learning and wants to find and connect with like-minded colleagues to share content, develop best practices, and collaborate on a global level. While still in its early stages, LearnCentral has the potential to make a significant historical difference in how educators work together for professional development in their own careers.

WasupCrowd provide you the secure account and more chances to meet with old and new friends, with lots off romantic, funny, Technical, etc. feature are included. WasupCrowd (Social Media) is basically used as you are using some social media apps or website. And you can also share the most memorial movement, with you friend, relative. And best of the things you can share any type of news, links picks with the groups or individually also. and you will get ammazing gifts after you create the better profile. WasupCrowd (Social Media) is providing fututre in your hand. So,WasupCrowd is the best opportunity to get updated with time.

Spruz allows you to create a free social website to attract others with similar interests, strengthen customer relationships with your business or rally behind a cause. Looks to be a good Ning alternative

imbee is the first free social network designed for young people! imbee is your personal spot on the internet. It's full of fun things to do like * Create a blog * Upload pictures * Make trading cards * Create and join groups imbee is a parent approved, teacher endorsed social networking site appropriate for kids and 'tweens.

"Summer has officially started for many of you! I know that you will probably be relaxing for the first few days, but eventually you may feel the need to be inspired and motivated for the upcoming school year! Social media provides us with incredible opportunities to choose the way we want to develop professionally. You can choose the topic, the medium, and who you want to learn from. You can choose the way you like to learn, because social media provides us with several multimedia experiences, such as webinars, LMS, live video, and more. The experience is usually dynamic and motivating because you are learning with others around the world! Additionally, you will be developing your Personal/ Passionate Learning Network (PLN)."

Welcome to Access, Analyze, Act: A Blueprint for 21st Century Civic Engagement. This curriculum is designed to help you discover the power of social media for teaching media and information literacy, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and technology skills while developing students' understanding of the political, social and economic issues facing our country at election time.