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Top Ten Social Networks for Education by David Kapuler

Aug 31

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8/31/2010 9:26 AM  RssIcon

I'm a huge advocate of Web 2.0 in general, and social networking in particular. Here are my favorite networks for education that targets technology literacy.

1.  Twitter  - Far and away one of the most popular social networks around. This micro-tweeting platform is used worldwide and especially in education (search hash tags, edchat or edtech).
2.  Classroom 2.0  - Created by Steve Hargadon and used by thousands of educators on a daily basis. This site alone changed the way I viewed education and ignited my passion for Web 2.0.
3.  Facebook -nuff said!!
4.  Plurk  - A social network similar to Twitter with a timeline view and fun karma-based platform.
5.  Educator's PLN - Built by Thomas Whitby, this social network is one of the fastest growing around and some of the top technology based innovators can be found here.
6.  Learn Central  - Sponsored by elluminate, Learn Central is an ideal place for educators to host or learn through its virtual conferences.
7.  ISTE Community  - International Society for Technology & Education is a great place for educators to collaborate on technology issues.
8.  Edutopia  - A very popular organization created by the George Lucas foundation.
9.  Collaborative Translation  - Created by well renowned educator James O'Reilly, CT is a great place to learn and share innovative ideas.
10.  IT4ALL  - Integrating Technology 4 Active Life-Long Learners is a nice place for educators to share best practices for technology integration.

David Kapuler is an educational consultant with more than 10 years of experience working in the K-12 environment. For more information about his work, contact him at dkapuler@gmail.com and read his blog at cyber-kap.blogspot.com.

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9 comment(s) so far...


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Top Ten Social Networks for Education by David Kapuler

The list of tools for communication is great, but I would like to also read how each can be used in education and more important how to supervise the tool selected to be used in school. How can the teacher police the social network to make it save and properly used?

By Art Weidner on   9/2/2010 10:56 PM
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Top Ten Social Networks for Education by David Kapuler

As an English teacher, I have found that the best social network for me has been English Companion Ning. There's something like 20000 English or language teachers using the forums and discussion areas to get ideas for the classroom. There's a technology group within the site too.

By Kimberly Wagner on   9/5/2010 3:07 AM
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Top Ten Social Networks for Education by David Kapuler

Thanks for the honorable reference, but meanwhile I had to migrate away from Ning to here: Collaborative Translation on Grouply http://collaborative-translation.grouply.com/ Collaborative Translation on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=162154980619

By James O'Reilly on   9/5/2010 10:46 PM
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Top Ten Social Networks for Education by David Kapuler

I belong to a number of these and always like us mentioning the alternatives - each person can find their own home / home base / community. However, my biggest drawback regarding many of these communities is the dearth of "content" - what teachers can download and use "today" in their classes. I know that is what teachers also need. I wish they'd do more in the way of content/resource sharing. Our community EFL Classroom 2.0 leads the way in this regard. Closing in on 20,000 members, we are the best kept secret on the web. Lots for a teacher of any subject. About policing. I make sure on our own, that we have trusted members there, 24/7. It is also private, off googles grid. That's the best assurance. Facebook imho shouldn't be on your list if it is about education. Facebook is mostly about promotion and stimulation, not thought. With exceptions but that's my opinion. Cheers, David

By David on   9/5/2010 2:40 PM
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Top Ten Social Networks for Education by David Kapuler

Great list of resources for tech literacy and teachers connecting with other teachers. Also add a global social network, ten times or more as big as any mentioned above! www.epals.com has teachers from 200 countries, 600,000 members. Without a free membership, check out the Teacher Forums (topics include technology) and also the Student Forums. Only those vetted as adults can post in the Teacher Forums, and the site has TRUSTe certification of child privacy (unlike all 10 sited above).

By Rita Oates on   9/8/2010 10:49 AM
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Top Ten Social Networks for Education by David Kapuler

I am the founder of the Professional Learning Network called Technology Integration in Education found on Linkedin and Ning with nearly as many members as the Educators PLN site mentioned above. In response to a request for more resources listed above in the reply postings, I encourage you to check out my Ning site at http://www.technologyintegrationineducation.com. Here we have more resources listed than you could ever imagine. I will be a featured up and coming educator in next months issue of THE Journal magazine. How Tech & Learning missed my site here on this list is a shame. I hope others will read these comments and take advantage of joining my site as well.

By Greg Limperis on   9/10/2010 1:35 PM
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Top Ten Social Networks for Education by David Kapuler

I would like to learn more about how to work with social network. I would like to get the constitution of social network.

By sunny neupane on   9/18/2010 5:21 PM
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Top Ten Social Networks for Education by David Kapuler

I have an interest in teaching high school math on the internet. Can you help. THANKS:

By Roy Shroyer on   9/24/2010 2:32 PM
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Top Ten Social Networks for Education by David Kapuler

This is an outstanding list. I would add our site as a valuable resource for teachers sharing ideas, new grants, nominations for special needs students, Cyber Summit on 21st Century Skills and over 5,000 teaching ideas created by teachers. Thanks for starting the discussion! Felicia http://www.weareteachers.com

By Felicia Adams on   9/8/2010 3:10 AM

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