Journal 1

Social Networking for the K-12 Set
by Jim Klein

In this article the author discusses the value of social networking amongst schools in a district. It enables mass communication amongst schools, reduces district and school costs, allows messages, ideas, lessons, podcasts, projects and collaboration amongst teachers to be spread at a rapid rate. With teacher guidance and approval, it also allows students to publish work, see other students work--even at a completely different school within the district, and work as a team without having to sit face to face. Klein states "One of the key benefits of this initiative has been improved communication and the establishment of a sense of community."

What would hinder some districts from using this initiative?
Perhaps cost and the initial set up and training of the program is one reason. Maybe another reason would be fear that it simply would not be used enough to qualify cost, or each school already has a system in place and do not want to change.

How could social networking help students succeed?
Most of todays students are very adept at technology and I believe they would find social networking to be much more fun and easy than some might think. With teacher's approval, collaborating with peers online, sharing thoughts, projects, lessons learned is yet one more way students can learn and succeed in the technology age.