This week, my group facilitated the class's learning about social networking in adult education. We did so through the site Schoology.com, where we set up a private group. Schoology.com was surprisingly easy to use, allowing us to host discussions, share resources, and create group updates (much like posts in a Facebook newsfeed). It was fun to connect with my classmates outside of our traditional learning management system (LMS), and it was the perfect setting for a conversation about the role and potential for social networking in education.
The class consensus seemed to be that social networking is here to stay in education. Social networking sites (SNSs) may never completely replace traditional LMSs--though, some SNSs like Schoology, Edmodo, and others seem to have the potential to do so--but the ability for learners to connect, discuss, and share through social networking certainly adds value to the learning experience. Because of this, I expect to see more traditional LMS systems incorporate social networking components, and I will certainly consider the ways that I might use social networking to enhance my own learning and my teaching in the future.
As always, my classmates shared some fantastic resources and insights this week. Perhaps one of my biggest takeaways this week has been the reevaluation of the education potential in SNS sites with which I am already familiar. For example, I learned that several of my classmates have adult education boards on Pinterest. While I have had a Pinterest account for a couple of years now, the little bit that I've used it has been limited to cooking and crafts; it never dawned on me to use Pinterest to catalog a host of education-related resources. I am now following several of my classmates' education boards and look forward to creating my own!
Another example is that of LinkedIn. I have been vaguely familiar with LinkedIn, but I haven't really explored the site and do not yet have my own account. Fortunately, several classmates were able to share their own experiences using the site, as well as the fact that there is a LinkedIn group for Colorado State's AET program. What a great way to connect beyond the classroom! As a result of this week's discussions, I intend to set up my own LinkedIn account shortly so that I may better network with my classmates, past and present.
I truly enjoyed facilitating and learning this week! I feel that I learned far more than I taught; though, I suppose that's how it should be--facilitating, learning together, building ideas. A sincere thanks to my wonderful group members and classmates! Now, on to webcasts, podcasts, and webinars...
The class consensus seemed to be that social networking is here to stay in education. Social networking sites (SNSs) may never completely replace traditional LMSs--though, some SNSs like Schoology, Edmodo, and others seem to have the potential to do so--but the ability for learners to connect, discuss, and share through social networking certainly adds value to the learning experience. Because of this, I expect to see more traditional LMS systems incorporate social networking components, and I will certainly consider the ways that I might use social networking to enhance my own learning and my teaching in the future.
As always, my classmates shared some fantastic resources and insights this week. Perhaps one of my biggest takeaways this week has been the reevaluation of the education potential in SNS sites with which I am already familiar. For example, I learned that several of my classmates have adult education boards on Pinterest. While I have had a Pinterest account for a couple of years now, the little bit that I've used it has been limited to cooking and crafts; it never dawned on me to use Pinterest to catalog a host of education-related resources. I am now following several of my classmates' education boards and look forward to creating my own!
Another example is that of LinkedIn. I have been vaguely familiar with LinkedIn, but I haven't really explored the site and do not yet have my own account. Fortunately, several classmates were able to share their own experiences using the site, as well as the fact that there is a LinkedIn group for Colorado State's AET program. What a great way to connect beyond the classroom! As a result of this week's discussions, I intend to set up my own LinkedIn account shortly so that I may better network with my classmates, past and present.
I truly enjoyed facilitating and learning this week! I feel that I learned far more than I taught; though, I suppose that's how it should be--facilitating, learning together, building ideas. A sincere thanks to my wonderful group members and classmates! Now, on to webcasts, podcasts, and webinars...