Social Networking And College Students

Today's college students have grown up with the internet. They are web-savvy and know their way around cyberspace. This can be a big challenge for teachers and administrators, who may not be as well-versed with today's technology. The emergence of social networks such as Facebook and MySpace has created a technical gap between teens and adults unlike anything that previously existed.

Because of the way teens use technology, it's becoming even more important that the adults in their lives catch up with the times. The value of technology in the classroom is growing, and social networking is central to communication.

Although some teachers are hesitant to use social networking because of privacy issues and the potential learning curve, it's the way of the future and a very valuable tool. This is how our students communicate - through Facebook, through Instant Messaging, and through the many portals on the web. It's time that everyone gets on the same page.

The problem that teachers and administrators will encounter is that for now, MySpace and Facebook are a place where students can talk freely, and teachers and parents are not always welcome. An adult presence is an intrusion to some.

Today's educators need an intuitive, safe, online environment that connects students, teachers, parents, and administrators in a responsible way. There needs to be a portal that is geared toward education and one that, while driven by teachers, is open to students, parents, and administrators.

Simply put, they need a social network for the classroom.

In a true Web 2.0 environment, students, parents, and administrators can all participate in the teaching process together. All parties can ask questions, share knowledge, and relay experiences. This is an active environment. This concept applies not only within a specific classroom, but across all classrooms that can now share a common learning environment - a common social network. For example, a lesson a few years ago was taught in a classroom. The lesson was introduced, a discussion followed, and the lesson ended. Students were then responsible for retaining the information presented and acting on it.

That same lesson today, taught in a Web 2.0 environment, goes something like this: The lesson is introduced and an online discussion follows. This discussion includes the viewpoints and experiences of students, teachers, administrators, and parents from around the globe. It includes comments and ignites new ideas and conversations. It is enhanced by images, audio, and videos which will also create new ideas and discussions

This same lesson, when taught the following year, already has the foundation of the previous year's information. The next year builds upon the previous two years, and so on. In the end, we have an ever-growing historical account of the ideas brought about by the lesson - a clearly superior situation to the way it had been taught ten years earlier.

Considering the speed at which technology is evolving, teachers should be encouraged to find and use a social network, and students should keep an open mind and embrace a new way of learning. This model, when used responsibly, will spark a revolution of knowledge.