Title: Social Networks
Course: 21 Things for Students > Section: Social Networks

Social Networks

Hosted on Vimeo.com

Introduction

A cyberwise agent knows there are a lot of great web sites to go to for searching out information. In the Digital Footprints Mission you learned about locating information about people online. This Mission is about the use of digital devices for communication and how a social network can be used effectively. This understanding and your own experience can be helpful in your investigations and for learning new things from other agents, friends, relatives, and your SSI Chief.

Your challenge is to learn about social networking, explore your own PLN (Personal Learning Network = groups you belong to such as classmates and friends) and think about how this can be helpful to you. You will earn the Networking Agent Badge when you have completed this Mission.

Quest 1: Life Online

Schooltube Video entitled:  "Networked Student"
(Select arrows above for full screen viewing)

Video Briefing: Connectivism is shared in this video: 'A theory that presumes that learning occurs as part of a social network of many diverse connections and ties.' The connections (and media tools used) are the key elements to take note of. The following online tools are mentioned: Google Scholar, Social Bookmarking cloud tools, Blogs, an RSS Reader to subscribe. Check out the ability to subscribe to online courses through iTunesU, and about the social networking tools available to you at your school (check with your SSI Chief).

Introduction

Investigate and practice your skills of learning online (critically important).

You will need to create an account to save and submit your answers, or your own document so that you can track your success. Check with your SSI Chief.

*Note, if accounts are not allowed, you can go still through the Life Online by clicking on VIEW  button when you go to the page, to see the self-paced Lesson.

Steps:

1. To get started click here and create an account

2.  Read or view the videos on the 9 pages which open in a separate window

3. Take notes and save them on each page (or use this template document) as you proceed through the life online materials

4. Those with an  account can click on REVIEW YOUR WORK when finished with the 9th page and reflect on what you just learned. Save the template document or screenshot to your secret file space and share with your SSI.

5. Note:  you will create the final presentation as directed (9th page) in the next Quest. Save to your secret file space and post/share your presentation with your SSI.

 Check this Quest off on your Tracking Document

Quest 2: Presenting

Below is a flash video from Vimeo and is titled "Why Do We Connect?"

Video Briefing: this short 3 minute video explores reasons for social networking and looks at a PLN as an environment for  P L N (Participate Learn eNrich).

Introduction

Your challenge will be to create a presentation of your ideas about online communication and personal networks now that you have completed the Life Online Quest. Our Agency needs your ideas to share with new recruits. You might be selected as "Agent of the Month" and your presentation could be featured in the Showcase!

Steps:

1. Select a topic you are interested in which you saw in the Life Online videos or materials in Quest #1.

2. Sole Agent or Team Work? Check to see if you will be working with a partner, team, or on your own.

3. Time to create your presentation, and there are a ton of great options for your creation. Below is a chart of a few of the Web 2.0 tools we suggest, but you may have discovered something even better or have your own application.

Chart

Some Helpful Tutorials

a. Glogster from Schooltube, by discovery learning

b. Google Presentations video on schooltube - or Link to our Suite Tools Presentation Mission

c. Prezi - from schooltube

d. VoiceThread from schooltube

 4.  Be sure to check the sharing settings in any program you use online, and then share your presentation with your SSI Chief.

Check this Quest off on your Tracking Document

Quest 3: Blogs

Introduction

What is a Blog? This is your task. Is this an organization that will take over the world? Is it a new piece of equipment? Here are some clues as you begin this Quest. Clues: online, web site, information, sharing, posts, web log, sometimes subject specific. We have provided some links as you plan your investigation strategy. Once you have discovered what it is, you are to infiltrate and create your own blog. We will tell you in advance there are many different Blog groups (sites) so you will need to check with your SSI Chief on which one to infiltrate.

Step 1: Start with some research. Which of these resources will you select?

1. Common Craft Video

2.  Google student blog example

3. Techie Kids blog from Michigan  singing the Genre Song

4. Guide for Student Bloggers - legal rights

Step 2: Now that you have an idea, check out the communities in Edublogs by reading A-C first, then click on the link

A. When you reach the Edublogs site, click on the link for Community shown below.

B. Locate the Blog Directory and click on Student Blog

C. Scroll through the student blogs, and spend some time checking out a few of them. These are by students of all ages, and some teachers.

D. Edublogs.org

Step 3 (Optional pending the directive from your SSI Chief)

A. Sign up for a blog account at Edublogs (or alternate)

B. Visit the tutorials for the blog site such as the "Getting started with Edublogs" area.

C. Add elements to your Blog, such as images, audio, your favorites, some web links to great places, etc.

D. When you have finished this investigation, share your link with your SSI Chief

Check this Quest off on your Tracking Document

Quest 4: Safe Profile

Facebook Report from Schooltube.com

Special Agent Briefing

Did you ever hear - "Watch what you say!", well how about, "Watch what you post." What social web sites have any information about you? Did you do the 3. Digital Footprints Mission ? You already know that what you post and the pictures you post are NEVER deleted from the Internet, even when you delete the information or page right? Even the information you post in a social network site is fair game to others. Estimates are that over 7.5 million kids under that age of 13 have accounts on a social networking site like Facebook.

Steps:

1. Watch the following two videos at this Netsmartz site ( www.nsteens.org ) about "Profile Safety".  How observant are you? Solve the following questions:

In "Profile Penalty" - What was Ted worried about and why did he stay up all night?,

In "Post to be Private" - How did Slick know about a party?

2. Watch the following video about Facebook Privacy Settings and write down three things to share with any friends who said they have a Facebook account.

 Is Your Privacy Protected?

3. Data Collection Tasks

Create a survey about social networking (PLN).  You may wish to use an online survey tool (Google Forms, Survey Monkey)or another online survey tool - or you may use paper.  Check with your SSI).  You do not need to ask for names.

Ask the 10 participants:

*if they have a FaceBook or social networking page (PLN)
*describe what their profile says
*if they would feel OK if their parents 'friended' them on their site;
*for those that have a PLN, if they have checked the privacy settings for their social network site (you are now the expert about privacy settings, so help out your fellow classmates and friends stay safe).

        When you are done, review your data results and share a screenshot
        with your SSI Chief.

4. Your last task is to think about all of this, and write a reflection. Include your findings from your survey, what nefarious agents can find out about you online, and what safety measures you can and do take. Check with your SSI Chief about where to post your reflection - in your own blog or in a word processed document.

 I have completed this Social Networking Mission and am ready to check it off on the tracking document

Social Networks Question

Which is a social network?

- twitter
Feedback: Great job!
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- PDF Reader

Social Networks Question

How can you easily subscribe to news articles online?

- Check your favorite blog every day
- RSS Reader
- Bookmark your news sites
- Print news articles out every day

Social Networks Question

What is Glogster

- A Word processing program
- A Spreadsheet program
- An Interactive Poster program
Feedback: Great job!
- A Database program

Social Networks Question

What is a blog?

- A presentation program
- A Writing and Response program
Feedback: Great job!
- A Database Program
- A Spreadsheet Program

Social Networks Question

How old do you have to be to have a Facebook account?

- 13 and older
Feedback: Great job!
- 12 and older
- 11 and older
- Anyone can have an account

Social Networks Mission Completed

Congratulations you have completed the Social Networks Mission.

To receive your Badge or certificate for completion from your SSI Chief :

1.  Take this Social Networks Quiz .  The password for the quiz is social21 .  Do your best!

2.  Take a screenshot of your quiz results to show your SSI Chief.

3.  Please take this short survey to share your ideas on how to improve these activities and this 21things4students resource.

4.   Show your completed work for this mission to your SSI Chief to receive your Social Networks Badge.