•


Ning.com (www.ning.com/) - The original “social network in a box” option. While it isn’t free, the cheapest solution at $25 a month gives you full control of your very own branded social network for 10,000 members, including photo sharing, video sharing, groups, forums, calendar, and more! Might work well as an in-house student social network that’s a bit more of a walled garden when compared to Facebook.


COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS


As I explored different social networking options with my class- rooms over the years, one lesson I learned early on is that parents want to know what’s going on before you even mention the word to your students about your own Facebook Page or Twitter account. It may be different at the secondary level, but for me, using wikis at the elementary level meant sending out a letter or email to all the parents explaining the purpose of the networking (in my case, collaborative group work from home), and why I felt the tool was appropriate for me and my students.


Most of the time parents won’t have problems if you’ve taken the time to work with students about establishing strong classroom and learning environment guidelines. You can take those same face-to-face guidelines and apply them directly to your virtual space, and explain to parents about how your network will help enhance what you’re already doing in class. Does that mean stu- dents might still make some poor decisions when using social media or networking for learning? Sure it does, but you’ll have


a clear expectation of what learners should be focused on, and parents will be able to participate in the monitoring and facilita- tion of your online learning space. A simple sample letter can be found on the “Your Personal Learning Network” Blog (http:// plnteach.global2.vic.edu.au/resources/sample-letter-to-parents- re-blogging/).


The most important component of establishing and maintaining your own online socially networked learning space for students is to remember to carry over the strong relationships, established guidelines, and expectations from your face-to-face instructional time. Remember to have a clear focus of what you want to get out of the tool, and make sure to choose a tool that will allow your students to participate as much as they like, but remember you might need to step back in order to let some of that discus- sion and participation happen. Social networking is here to stay, and this is the best time to explore and help shape best practices for your colleagues, school districts, and students. While the tools we use today may evolve quickly, the goal of focusing on the outcomes should help you weather any change in the social networking world.


Ben Rimes is an Instructional Technologist for Mattawan Schools where he facilitates the integration of technology in the classroom. You can find him on Twitter (@techsavvyed) or follow his blog (www.techsavvyed.net).


Continuing your education can be key to your success! Lawrence Technological University Can Help!


Explore these innovative programs: • Doctor of Management in Information Technology • Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering • Master of Science in Computer Science • Master of Science Education * • Master of Science in Information Systems • Master of Educational Technology * † • Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering


• Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering


Also discover “fast-track” graduate certificates in: • Bioinformatics • Health IT Management • Instructional Design, Communication, and Presentation • Instructional Technology * • Robotics Education * • Workplace Technology *


* Scholarships provided to all participants † Also available online


AMERICA’SBEST UNIVERSITIES


[ Waive your application fee at www.ltu.edu/applyfree ]


U.S. News & World Report®


Lawrence Technological University | Office of Admissions 21000 West Ten Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075-1058 | 800.225.5588 | admissions@ltu.edu | www.ltu.edu


AMERICA’SBEST UNIVERSITIES


U.S. News & World Report®


Princeton Review®


BEST COLLEGES in the Midwest


MILITAR FRIEND S C H O O


G.I. Job


BEST COLLEGES in the Midwest


Princeton Review®


Lawrence Tech offers over 100 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs in Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Management.


G.I. Job MILITA


FRIEND S C H O O


10


|


Winter 2013


|


MACULJOURNAL


2 2 2 2 2


1


0 0 0


0


0


1


1


1


1 1


0


3 3 3 3 3 3


2


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32