Journal 7---Web 2.0: NETS V

Reynard, R. (2009,July, 15). Beyond social networking: building toward learning communities. The Journal, Retrieved July 31, 2009, from http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/15/Beyond-Social-Networking-Building-Toward-Learning-Communities.aspx?Page=1


This article addressed the ways that teachers can utilize social networking sites to create not only a community of peers but also a community of learners who interact and teach each other. She feels that since students today are at ease with multitasking, educators should use several different tools, like blogs or wikis to keep them engaged, and most importantly, utilize the content that the students have added. She cites a study done with children grades 4-10 that showed that the idea of being comfortable presenting their own information to the community was a positive consequence of learning the technology itself.

To whom is this article valuable?

As this technology is somewhat new to older teachers, articles like this are valuable in showing them how to use these sites; but as new teachers join the education field, they will have grown up with these computer skills and will naturally incorporate them into their curriculum.

Is the fact that students grow from interaction amongst themselves a new idea?

This fact is not a new one; teachers have created interactive learning communities within their classrooms with class discussions for a long time. However, as there is only so much time in a school day, the use of these social networking sites can increase the amount and quality of participation of the students, as they will have additional time to think and respond to the questions or issues.