Project 5: Lit – Foundations to HOT!

e-Learning Resources: Texts and Articles a brief review:

It’s no secret social networking sites have caught the attention of educators. There is the occasional educator who is currently using technologies afforded to them by computer-mediated networks. Many classes function in a purely online environment. The research afforded here does not seek to address the exclusive online educational system. Rather it is looking to explore the mixed course. One that contains direct contact with students combined with online components. In this area of education there are many who are not using available social networks in their courses. Yet, there is no shortage of research swooning professors into education-by-social-networking. Even if the conclusions are nothing more than; Just Do It! It seems clear, user-or-not, all educators are wondering

1) Why should they use social networks within education?
2) How should they use social networks within education?

These questions, though simple, lead to some very complex answers, if there are answers at all. These are outcome-based questions. So perhaps in simplest form educators are pondering the big picture: What is the benefit of using social networks in educational settings?

Of course, one can’t just dive in and be ready to explore all that using a social network in a class affords. Educators need to step back and understand the role of e-Learning, the benefits of e-Learning along side traditional lecture formats. These foundational elements will serve as a driving force behind the implementation of any technology driven educational system. And perhaps that is the danger of the latest e-Learning craze. Everyone is telling educators to get in, but many educators don’t seem to know how. Nor do educators fully understand the benefit of doing so within their educational philosophy. E-learning is not a one-size-fits-all application.
At the mistake of suggesting all educators understand the concepts of e-Learning there are a few must read publications. The tech savvy will breeze through some of the contents, but concepts and systems explored are basic understandings that any educator looking to integrate social networking with education must comprehend.

1) Coming of Age

Available as a free download: fullmeasure.co.uk/Coming_of_age_v1-2.pdf

This introduction to the new World-Wide-Web (or Web 2.0) offers critical information on technologies and terms related to e-Learning. From blogs, to photo sharing, podcasting, RSS feeds, social bookmarking and wikis this reading explores the foundations of e-Learning. A fair criticism of the text is its limited discussion of social networks, due in part to its age and something soon to be rectified in version 2. Despite that shortfall it offers quick reading and continued reference of key technologies found within social networks.

2) Evaluating E-Learning (The Astd E-Learning Series) (Paperback)

by William Horton (Author) “Does your e-learning work?…” Available from Amazon

Whether or not the benefits of integrating social networking into course work are a clear part of your implementation, this basic overview of evaluating implementing such systems cannot be understated. This reading is an excellent companion to have along as you ask yourself why you are combining education and technology.

3) Ning in Education

Online resource: http://education.ning.com/

Ning offers users the ability to create custom social networks. In doing so they have opened doors for educators more readily than networks such as Facebook and there is well-developed network of professionals discussing the integration of the social network and classroom. Becoming a Ning member and introducing yourself is an important step to engaging within social networks.

What’s HOT!

Once educators have a solid foundation of materials on what e-Learning is and the potential they are basically equipped to proceed. The first obstacle they will encounter is which of the social networks to use in their educational setting. Currently, there are several hot button conversations churning with reasons to choose one over the other. And while in the end the selected network is not as important as the content and purpose it serves, equipping yourself with the knowledge to select one over the other is important. Recent blogs to e-Learning technology (http://elearningtech.blogspot.com/) have suggested a buzz around Facebook as the educational social networking tool. Respondents follow the masses mentioning Facebook is the social network to turn to because it’s where the students are. Other posts describe advantages to other social network systems and knowing the key advantages and disadvantages of any given system will assist in selecting the one that best meets the desired outcome – better student learning.

A new, quieter buzz regarding the use of social networks in education finds a voice in assessment. A recent post appearing on EduBlogger Word (http://edubloggerworld.ning.com) presents questions about available assessment tools for online technology and networking site considered for implementation in school systems. As the assessment head begins to loom over classroom designs that include networking tools several articles ask if social networking is a friend at all. These blogs, stories and conference papers are written by the educators themselves and represent the current trends and ideas in social network integration. Interacting with these sites and blogs provides a critical, direct-link to the source of the research. There can be few more valuable resources to read and study than these blogs and Ning sites.