Social Network Blog Post
Tami Basso

Personally, I enjoy using Face Book on a daily basis. Many of the teachers I work with are my friends.  I work at three different buildings and don't get to see my friends everyday. I enjoy reading Face Book to find out what they are up to and how things are going. I feel in touch with my friends even though we don't see each other everyday.

I also enjoy using Face Book with my family. I like to see posts and pictures to let me know about what is going on in my relatives lives. It helps me stay up-to-date with my family.

I like being able to send a private message to a group that I want to invite to a special occasion. Each person can see what has been posted and can also comment on the postings. I enjoy using Face Book as a stress reliever. I also use it as time waster when I don't feel like doing anything else.

Professionally, I haven't used very many social networking sites. After looking at the examples of the many social networking sites for educators I'm very excited about joining more sites. A benefit of being in this class is finding out about the many social networking sites that specialize in specific subject areas. Currently, I'm interested in sites that relate to e-devices and teaching technology to elementary students. I'm also interested in social networking sites for library media specialists.

I like the idea I can post a question asking how to do something and that more than one person will respond. I like the suggestions that they offer. My family doesn't always want to answer all my questions so it is nice to know I have somebody I can turn to in my profession. I like the idea of being a part of a network that supports each other.

 I like the thought of having fast answers to my questions. I like that I can do other things while waiting for my answer. I can look at the site and see what answers were posted to specific questions. I like knowing that other people have similar questions to mine.

Social networks will benefit students in many ways. Students from Michigan can connect with students from a different county. The students can research information about their country. When the meeting takes place online students may share the information they researched.

Older students enjoy using Face Book as a huge part of their social lives. Many students post pictures of themselves. They communicate with each other about what is happening at school or about events they plan on attending.

Social networking sites can be used as professional development tools and as a social tools.  Both will help adults and students to be able to express their ideas electronically and share the ideas with people that aren't close by.