First blog

Social networking has become the new buzz word in todays society. Everywhere i go i can hear “Facebook”, “Myspace” and “Bebo”. Am i a user on these pages- NO. Reason- i believe that these so called social networking systems are not quiet social. People do not leave home, but instead log onto their webpage and communicate with their friends via the internet. Call me old fashion, but i believe that the best way of communication is face to face. The only reason why i would get Facebook or Myspace is if i had a company to advertise or if i had relatives or friends that lived overseas, as the internet would be a cheaper and more effective means of communication. Boyd (2007) states that using text, images, video, audio, links, quizzes, and surveys, teens generate a profile that expresses how they see themselves (Boyd, 2007, para. 7). Hence this actually supports what i am trying to say, its more about who is the most popular and has how many friends rather than real means of communication between people.

The only experience of social networks i have had  is when friends log into their accounts and look at other peoples photos. Which i found enjoyable, but i still stand firm on the notion that it decreases socialising, and promotes antisocial means of communication i.e- internet.

How could social networks be used in a learning context?

 As i am quiet negative about social networks, i dont believe these systems will promote education or learning for that matter. Additionally if educators were to try and teach youths on these social networks it would be very hard to enforce the learning as it is not a classroom function, and it would be hard to monitor the students actions.

Boyd, D. 2007, Social network sites: public, private or what?, The knowledge tree, viewed 23/04/08 <http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2007/edition-13/social-network-sites-public-private-or-what/>.