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"Let’s face it: Social networking is here to stay. Whether it is Facebook or Twitter, or the next web application waiting to become a phenomenon, social networking is a part of our students’ lives. The only place where it isn’t usually present is in our classrooms. And yet, how many of us haven’t sensed our students itching to reconnect as soon as class is over? The moment they leave the classroom, the cell phones come out and the air is abuzz with various versions of, “Where are you?” or “What are you doing?”", reports eSchooll News
Imagine if we could harness this drive to connect for the purpose of learning. Is it possible to use social networking to further learning?
While doing research for my book, The Socially Networked Classroom: Teaching in the New Media Age, I spoke with dozens of pioneering teachers across the country and even around the world about how they are figuring out ways create a new media classroom while keeping their students safe and focused on learning. Their responses covered a range of examples, from social networking in a low-tech environment to teaching at the most advanced levels of technological innovation.Related links
William Kist's blog
About the Author
William Kist is an associate professor at Kent State University, where he teaches literacy education courses. A former high school English teacher, Kist has presented nationally and internationally, with over 40 articles and book chapters to his credit; his profiles of pioneering teachers were the essence of his book New Literacies in Action (2005). In November, 2007, Kist began a three-year term as director of the Commission on Media for the National Council of Teachers of English. Kist continues to work in video and film and has earned a regional Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music Composition.
His book, The Socially Networked Classroom, presents a snapshot of how teachers are currently using Web 2.0 to educate today’s students. Complete with real-world examples, lesson plans, sample assignments, and assessments.
