Bridging the Technology Gap: Blogs, Wikis, & Social Networking

Bridging the Technology Gap

Blogs, Wikis, and Social Networks

Corinne Thomas, CFCSEducational Technology SpecialistVice President of Communications

“Most young people can’t remember a time without the Internet. But right

now, many students’ learning experiences in school don’t match

the reality outside of school. We need to bridge this gap.”

- Arne DuncanUS Secretary of Education

“Digital Natives”

• Used to receiving information quickly

• Like to parallel process & multi-task

• Function best when networked

• Thrive on instant gratification & frequent rewards

Marc Prensky, Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants

Pew Research Center

“Digital Natives”

E-Mail

TODAY:87% of teens use

e-mail

PCs

TODAY:60% of teens have a

desktop/laptop

Pew Research Center

“Digital Natives”

Cell Phones

TODAY:75% of teens use

cell phones

the Internet

TODAY:93% of teens use the

Internet

Pew Research Center

“Digital Natives”

Instant Messaging

TODAY:68% of teens use instant messaging

PDAs

TODAY:Around 20% of teens

have their own PDAs

Pew Research Center

“Digital Natives”

Blogs

TODAY:Around 54% of teens

read blogs

MP3s

TODAY:74% of teens have

an MP3 player

What Technology Is NOT

• Technology is not a Cure

• Technology is not the End-all

• Technology is not a Savior

Technology IS…

…a TOOL

Myths about Technology

Myth: Technology is always expensive

Fact:Some technologies are…but a lot are

FREE

Ira Socol, Universal Design Technology

Myths about Technology

Myth:Technology is an Add-On to Life

Fact:We use technology every day!

Ira Socol, Universal Design Technology

Myths about Technology

Myth:Technology is any tool invented after I

was born

Fact:Technology has been around since the

dawn of time

Ira Socol, Universal Design Technology

TOOL

Technology IS a…

…and can be an EFFECTIVE TOOL.

BLOGGINGGiving people the power of the media

Start a Blog!

• Wordpress.com• Blogger.com (though Google)• Tumblr.com• Through your organization/institution

If you don’t want your own…COMMENT on others’ blogs!

RSS Reader

WIKISCoordinating and organizing group input

What Are Wikis?

• Websites that can be modified or contributed to by users

• Name taken from the Hawaiian word for “quick”

• First wiki software was called “WikiWikiWeb”

Start a Wiki!

• Most learning management systems have built-in wikis

• wikispaces.com• pbworks.com (specifically for edu)

• Join a wiki

SOCIAL NETWORKSConnectivism across boundaries

44%

29%

18%

9%

Social Sharing on the Web

FacebookTwitterYahooMySpace

TechCrunch - February 2010

Activity0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

9%

Popular Social Networking ActivitiesPosting MessagesDownloading MusicDownloading VideosUploading MusicUpdating personal websites/profilesPosting PhotosBloggingCreating/Sharing Vir-tual ObjectsCreating new charactersCollaborative ProjectsSending Sugges-tions/Ideas to WebsitesSubmitting Articles to WebsitesCreating Polls, Quizzes, Surveys

#1 Rule for Social Networking

Don’t post ANYTHING you would NOT want

to be SEEN by EVERYONE in the WORLD.

Social Network Basics

• Create Your Profile

• “Friends” or “Contacts”

• Friends of Friends/Contacts of Contacts

• Network away!

Facebook

• Update

• Share

• Read

• Lists

• Groups

Twitter

• Updates in 140 characters or less

• Follow anyone

• “Trending Topics”

• Searches

LinkedIn

• Professionals

• Online resume

• Networking by Profession or Company

APPLICATIONS TO FCSWe can…and should…make a difference

“Today, the AAFCS strives to improve the quality and standards of

individual and family life by providing educational programs, public policy,

and through communication.”

- Our FocusAmerican Association of Family &

Consumer Sciences

TOUCHING LIVES.Connecting Professionals.

• PEOPLE will always be more important than technology

• Teach students to learn for LIFE, regardless of the technology available

For more information or to view a copy of these slides, please visit:

www.cgthomas.com/resources