Social Networking

To some degree, I do believe we self-select our social networks. From Facebook to MySpace, Google+ and LinkedIn, there are quite a few options when considering a social network site to be a part of. I believe individuals decide which SNS is appropriate for them based on their needs or what they desire to gain from the SNS. If networking with friends and family is the primary goal one might choose Facebook or MySpace. If the goal is to network professionally, one may aim more towards LinkedIn or one alike. It is possible to even have multiple accounts to satisfy multiple needs or desires both personal and professional. "The popularity of these sites translates into vibrant communities with strong communications networks, especially through the use of tools such as instant messengers, chatrooms, Weblogs, and discussion boards that, among other things, increase the rapidity of discursive exchange. On the other hand, there are the commercial interests and the efforts to appeal to the broadest base of participants" (Byrne, 2007, p.20).

From what I gathered from the readings, for teenagers, the desire to be a part of a SNS is more about finding their identity and finding an escape from their structured life to express themselves freely. "The power that adults hold over youth explains more than just complications in identity performance; it is the root of why teenagers are on MySpace in the first place. In the United States, the lives of youth – and particularly high school teenagers – are highly structured" (Boyd, 2007,p.18) "Regardless of whether teens in the United States have the time to engage in public life, there are huge structural and social barriers to them doing so. First, there is an issue of mobility" (Boyd, 2007,p.18)

Byrne made a good point in her writings that "On social networking sites, community members serve both as producers and consumers, and have an equal ability to influence and to be heard" (Byrne, 2007, p.20). I feel that for teenagers this is a powerful idea! So often, teenagers feel they are not being heard or are unable to express themselves to give their opinion. These sites allow them to take their ideas and share them with whomever they choose.

Which brings me to privacy settings. I feel they are an important aspect to any SNS especially for teenagers. Having the right privacy settings is key to being able to express yourself comfortably and safely. Boyd states that, "Those who are more engaged on Facebook are more likely to modify their privacy settings more frequently. This makes sense given that those who regularly post content may be more conscious of their audience, i.e., who might see the content they are publishing and also how this content might be perceived." (Boyd, 2010).

I hold a personal Facebook account which is separate from my professional life. However, when I think about Social Networking, I have a hard time not thinking about it's use and it's opportunity in the classroom. Rheingold couldn’t have said it better when he stated, “no matter what we think of them (SNS), they aren’t going away. Now, we need to start empowering ourselves to use social media well.” (Blankenship, 2011, p.42). “Web 2.0 tools such as social network sites now shape how young people connect, socialize, and learn” (Ahn et al., 2011, p.1). Like it or not, we are a part of a digital nation and I feel it is my responsibility as a teacher to not only provide learning experiences which utilize these new media resources, but also teach my students proper ways to operate these media. “For example, youths utilize Facebook for information sharing, access YouTube videos to learn new concepts for school, and participate in online communities that further their interests” (Ito et al. as cited Ahn et al., 2011, p.1).

There are many benefits to the use of social media in education. “Social networking media engages the user in the content and allows them to be included as an active participant as they construct a learning landscape rooted in social interaction, knowledge exchange, and optimum cognitive development with peers” (Baird & Fisher, 2006, p.24). Howard Rheingold muses that the benefits of social media to students is, “Plenty: greater engagement, greater interest, students taking more control and responsibility for their education” (Blankenship, 2011, p.40). Social media “inspires new creativity in the way that subjects are taught” (Blankenship, 2011, p.40). Mark Blankenship describes social media as, “so dominant in the classroom that it’s hard to imagine any professor or student making it through a week without them” (Blankenship, 2011, p.39).

While I do agree that it is possible to not participate in social networking both personally and professionally depending on your job and situation, I also believe there are great opportunities afforded to us all if we embrace them fully!

References:

 Byrne, D. N. (2007). The future of (the)“race”: Identity, discourse, and the rise of computer-mediated public spheres. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Series on Digital Media and Learning, 15-38.

Boyd, D., & Hargittai, E. (2010). Facebook privacy settings: Who cares. First Monday, 15(8), 2.

Boyd, D.(2007). Why youth (heart) social network sites: The role of networked publics in teenage social life. MacArthur Foundation Series on Digital Learning – Youth, Identity, and Digital Media Volume (ed. David Buckingham). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

 Blankenship, M. (2011). How social media can and should impact higher education. Education Digest, 76(7), 39-42.

Ahn, J. Bivona, L. DiScala, J. (2011). Social media access in k-12 schools: intractable policy controversies in an evolving world. Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 48(1), 1-10.