SMART-5

Social Networks

I began social networking a long time ago. When I was in middle school I got a Myspace account and used that to keep in touch with my friends from school outside of school and in touch with my relatives that live in Indiana and Nevada. I also used email to keep in touch with a few of my Aunts from out of state. I loved Myspace; it gave me a way to talk to people without tying up the home phone line (I did't get a cell phone until I could drive), or costing tons of money! Then when I was a freshman in high school I began using Facebook. At first I thought Facebook was difficult to navigate, but as the days went on I learned to love it even more than Myspace. Eventually Twitter was introduced into the picture and I tried that out a little bit. I never really liked Twitter though. Eventually I deleted my Myspace, then deleted my Twitter for a time. I discovered Tumblr then and I used Tumblr, which is a kind of picture/video/audio/etc. blogging site where you can reblog what others put up or add your own posts. Then I went back to Twitter thinking I might like it better, but I had no luck and I still have it, and don't use it. I used Facebook to stay in touch with my youth group and keep base with them on things we were doing throughout the months because I have interned for the past four summers. Facebook is the best social network that I have come in contact with, and I have kept it for the longest period of time outside of email. I have had one of my email addresses since middle school and I still use it today.

When envisioning the role of social networking in 21st century learning environments I can see using a safe social networking site to have each of my students put themselves in the role of a historical figure. I see myself acting the role of Christopher Columbus and giving each of my students a role on my ship. Then my students will form a profile putting themselves in the shoes of the role I have given them. We will then interact with one another as if we are actually on the journey to discovery. I think that putting each student in the role of someone else on the crew and ship that a lesson like this will really stick out in each of their minds as they go through school. I want them to be able to remember lessons for the rest of their lives and be able to say, "I love this subject because of this awesome lesson I did one year!" This type of an endeavor would have to last for a pretty lengthy so that there would be ample interaction to cover the different encounters from the trip. Something like this would also take a lot of research and preparation on behalf of the teacher, so it would be a big commitment. I think if a teacher were willing this could be a great way to incorporate 21st century skills through social networking in the classroom.