Social sharing

Social Networking & Social Sharing

By: Sophia Jung, Mia Roditis & Julie Tran

Outline

Definition

3 Examples of the technology:‘Flickr’ – Julie ‘Italki’ – Sophia‘Experience Project’ – Mia

Questions

Definitions:

‘Social spaces designed to facilitate communication, collaboration and content sharing across networks of contacts‘ (Digizen, 2006).

‘Social networking and sharing happen when social software comprises a wide range of different types of activities such as internet discussion forums, social networking and social sharing sites ’ (Owen & Grant 2006:14).

‘The evolving world of Internet communication -- blogs, podcasts, tags, file swapping -- offers students radically new ways to research, create, and learn’ (Smith, 2007).

Example 1: Flickrwww.flickr.com

OverviewDeveloped in February 2004 by Ludicorp.

A web 2.0 application widely used by bloggers to upload and share photos online.

Photos are organised by a special tagging system that allows searchers to find images related to particular topics and subjects with ease.

A ‘Content-based social networking service’.

3 learning applications of ‘Flickr’:Learning by Example

Learning through Feedback

Learning by Scouting Locations

System Requirements/Restrictions

Functions on the site include ‘RSS’ and ‘Atom’ feeds.

There is reliance on standard HTML and HTTP features.

March 2007 – Introduction of Mandatory Filter System

Examples of use

A ‘photo repository’ for bloggers.

A tool for scouting locations.

A resource to practice for oral exams.

A feedback tool for photographers.

Benefits

Photographers who share their photos can receive free feedback and suggestions from other users.

Before making the actual trip, travelers can study certain aspects about a particular place through viewing photographs (e.g. types of culture, religion, etc.)

Photos and images are organised using a special ‘tagging’ feature, allowing searchers to find images related to particular topics with ease.

The photo sharing and uploading nature on Flickr can be very simple and quick.

Flickr provides both private and public settings for its users.. A user uploading an image can set privacy controls that determine who can view the image.

Disadvantages/Challenges

Video uploads are only available for paying members.

Fees are charged for extra storage and ability to create more ‘sets’.

Photos, images and videos can be lost if they are not organised accordingly.

Some tags can be misleading.

Flickr does not operating effectively under the web browser ‘Mozilla Firefox’.

Recommendations

Video uploads should be made available

for both paying and non- paying members.

A better tagging system, to prevent loss of photos and videos on the interface.

Example 2: Italkiwww.italki.com

Overview• Italki is a free social networking site that aims to assist users all over the

world how to learn a new language or further develop the level of the language they are currently speaking.

• there are over 400,000 members of Italki and they are from over 100 different countries.

• Italki allow users to enhance their language capabilities through a mix of casual and professional teaching methods.

• incorporates features such as Language partners, Language teachers, Answers & Questions, Knowledge and Groups

• The website allows users to create a learning environment online through the use of instant messenger applications such as text, voice and video.


• This website can be accessed and used by anyone anywhere

• It does not require any downloads

• Users must create a profile that represents them which then allow other users to accept of ‘add’ them as friends.

Examples of use

• Users can use this website to interact and meet new people across the world

• Learn new languages by interacting with other users through the form of groups, videos, pictures, wikis and instant messaging

• Provide part time job opportunities for teachers who wish to teach foreigners a new language.

Benefits• Helps students find native speaker to practice speaking in a foreign

language

• Increases the current level of knowledge a student has of a specific language

• Gives students the ability to communicate online in text, voice and video

• Uses social solutions to solve problems rather than through theoretical ways.

• Provides a platform for sharing free open-source language learning materials

• Provides overall new skills for learners


• Foreign language may not be taught correctly

• Payment must be made while using some of the features such as ‘learning by professional’

Recommendations

• Overall quality and features of italki was excellent. It was easy to access and the overall layout is simple to follow.

• Time efficient

In order to overcome challenges:• Use a wide range of resources when learning a foreign

language rather than relying on one person

• Users should take advantage of the features available to them such as the ‘knowledge’ and ‘language teachers’ feature which gives them lessons professionally.

Example 3: Experience Projectwww.experienceproject.com

Overview

According to Brown & Adler (2008) Social learning is based on the concept that our understandings of content is socially constructed through conversations and grounded interaction.

This feature is a site based on creating an environment for social networking, and allowing people to share their learning experiences. The site fosters creativity and allows learning and interaction in an informal free way for users to explore.


The site does not require any additional downloads to access any of the sections of the site.

There are however a lot of pop ups which some users may find distracting.

Examples of use

People can keep up to date with current events, communicate with others who have possibly had the same learning endeavors which they wish to undertake.

This site is fun, exciting, and interactive

Benefits

Experience Project is a beneficial site that allows for interaction, communication and learning pre, during and post peoples exploration.

This sight is up to date, current, utilizes the latest software and technology. Experience Project involves ‘software that supports group interaction” (Shirky 2003).

•Provides support for conversational interaction between individuals or groups.•Delivers communication between groups. •These mechanisms allow cohesion between interest groups. •Has new tools for knowledge aggregation and creation of new knowledge.•Delivers collaborative collecting and indexing of information.


Navigation through the site was easy and user friendly however it was cluttered, and the amount of popups that arose was distracting.

Whilst browsing through the site, as a user there were so many broad topics.

Recommendations

Effectively constructed wikis, sites, blogs and podcasts offer a way to enhance students learning experiences.

According to Khine and Fisher (2003) these technologies can deepen levels of learners' engagement and collaboration within online learning environments.

References:

Italki Inc. 2009. About Italki.com. viewed 23 march 2009http://www.italki.com/stat ic/about.htm

Berardi, S. 2008, How Flickr can make you a better photographer, Digital Photo Help, viewed 18 March 2009, http://digitalphotohelp.info/?p=171

Digizen, 2007, What are social netwroking services?, Digizen, viewed 18 March 2009, http://www.digizen.org/socialnetworking/what.aspx

Brown, J. Adler, R (2008) ‘Minds on Fire: Open Education, the long tail and learning 2.0’ Future Lab, Creative Commons Attribution, 14 March 2009http://connect.educause.edu/Library/EDUCAUSE+Review/MindsonFireOpenEducationt/45823?time=1237888053

Owen, M. Grant, L. Sayers, S. Facer, K. (2006) ‘Social Software and Learning’ in Open Education, Future Lab, Uniting Kingdom, 14 March 2009https://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2fwebapps%2fblackboard%2fexecute%2flauncher%3ftype%3dCourse%26id%3d_7245_1%26url%3d

Questions

Technology

Social sharing