Journal #2 - Learning & Leading with Technology
“Social Networking for the K-12 Set” by Jim Klein
The very essence of the social networking arena is due to the open sharing of knowledge and creativity. This innovative practice promotes new thinking and exchange of ideas, but this sphere of open activity is also what gives the information a dubious or fortuitous character. Liability is lacking in the public arena and is a major concern to school districts. The author realized in order for social networking to be appropriate in the classrooms, there must be access restrictions and content control in place.
The need for accountability, control over content, and access control for and by schools is what spring boarded the IT specialists and curriculum specialist to develop a framework for its use in the school district. The network is accessible only by strict access controls. The platform is a community network for the soul purpose of sharing of ideas in a controlled environment with the flexibility to grow as ideas and uses compound.
According to the author the controls are built in to the stacks and are easily programmable to achieve the desired results.
The author says, “The open-source web application stack is based on software from the most popular software “stack” for developing Web-based applications in the open source-community- the “Lamp” stack. Lamp stands for Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP.” According to the author Linux can be swapped out without any affect on the operations. These applications can be run on other operating systems by installing a “WAMP” or “MAMP” stack to help maintain the same functionality. The most important aspect of these programs is the access to source controls that can be modified to fit the needs of K-12 teachers and for them to have control over what comes in and goes out of school computers.
Thus far the project has proven very successful. The amount of sharing and knowledge access is growing by leaps and bounds. Students are using the tools in very creative and innovative ways. The open access to ideas and knowledge have increased these particular students’ test scores. The most important part is students are being challenged and inventive in the classrooms.
I think social networking is a wonderful vision and concept. Open sharing of ideas, knowledge, creativity, and innovation in a challenging way, exemplifies a perfect learning environment. There is creation of community and better communication skills.
I am becoming more familiar with these technologies. I certainly think any tool that motivates students is worth its weight in gold. Humans are by nature social beings, therefore; to combine nature with technology in a learning environment is a very skilled and resourceful use of what is natural to us.
There is a lot of fuss in the health community about youngsters spending too much time on computers and other techno-gadgets and rightly so. Our youth are becoming obese and socially inept and withdrawn from their families. They are in a world that is impenetrable by parents and most adults… now social networking in the schools? One good thing is they are able to “socially network.” Like it or not... it is their future!
1. How is implementation of social networking in the classroom improving the educational climate?
Students are becoming riveted by its use in the educational environment. It taps and utilizes the critical thinking ability of students and offers an innovative platform for them to explore and communicate their ideas. A step further allows them to publish their ideas and get feed back from other students and vice versa. They are able to search the web, upload or download: files, images and podcast that are free from inappropriate material. Also mp3 audio and video can be posted as podcast, allowing students the ability to incorporate them in their communications and blogs. Young children are included by the ability to produce podcast and creative writing projects. Older students can work on group projects, search the web and access source feeds generated by the schools system from home or school. Teachers can post lesson reviews and other schools can post podcast. It allows easy sharing of ideas and communication between other districts, students, teachers and parents.
2. How can the teacher control social networking in the classroom?
Teachers have the capacity to customize the information to fit their classroom needs. The Open-Source, source codes provided in the software package can be modified so teachers can control every aspect of their classroom networking experience. Content, comments, and data posted by their students must be sanctioned by the teacher before it goes to the net. All of this is achieved by teacher-defined access controls on the system. Teachers have the ability to manage their student lists and passwords right in the online interface. The flexibility of this system is what makes it ideal for the classroom and teacher’s controls.
“Social Networking for the K-12 Set” by Jim Klein
The very essence of the social networking arena is due to the open sharing of knowledge and creativity. This innovative practice promotes new thinking and exchange of ideas, but this sphere of open activity is also what gives the information a dubious or fortuitous character. Liability is lacking in the public arena and is a major concern to school districts. The author realized in order for social networking to be appropriate in the classrooms, there must be access restrictions and content control in place.
The need for accountability, control over content, and access control for and by schools is what spring boarded the IT specialists and curriculum specialist to develop a framework for its use in the school district. The network is accessible only by strict access controls. The platform is a community network for the soul purpose of sharing of ideas in a controlled environment with the flexibility to grow as ideas and uses compound.
According to the author the controls are built in to the stacks and are easily programmable to achieve the desired results.
The author says, “The open-source web application stack is based on software from the most popular software “stack” for developing Web-based applications in the open source-community- the “Lamp” stack. Lamp stands for Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP.” According to the author Linux can be swapped out without any affect on the operations. These applications can be run on other operating systems by installing a “WAMP” or “MAMP” stack to help maintain the same functionality. The most important aspect of these programs is the access to source controls that can be modified to fit the needs of K-12 teachers and for them to have control over what comes in and goes out of school computers.
Thus far the project has proven very successful. The amount of sharing and knowledge access is growing by leaps and bounds. Students are using the tools in very creative and innovative ways. The open access to ideas and knowledge have increased these particular students’ test scores. The most important part is students are being challenged and inventive in the classrooms.
I think social networking is a wonderful vision and concept. Open sharing of ideas, knowledge, creativity, and innovation in a challenging way, exemplifies a perfect learning environment. There is creation of community and better communication skills.
I am becoming more familiar with these technologies. I certainly think any tool that motivates students is worth its weight in gold. Humans are by nature social beings, therefore; to combine nature with technology in a learning environment is a very skilled and resourceful use of what is natural to us.
There is a lot of fuss in the health community about youngsters spending too much time on computers and other techno-gadgets and rightly so. Our youth are becoming obese and socially inept and withdrawn from their families. They are in a world that is impenetrable by parents and most adults… now social networking in the schools? One good thing is they are able to “socially network.” Like it or not... it is their future!
1. How is implementation of social networking in the classroom improving the educational climate?
Students are becoming riveted by its use in the educational environment. It taps and utilizes the critical thinking ability of students and offers an innovative platform for them to explore and communicate their ideas. A step further allows them to publish their ideas and get feed back from other students and vice versa. They are able to search the web, upload or download: files, images and podcast that are free from inappropriate material. Also mp3 audio and video can be posted as podcast, allowing students the ability to incorporate them in their communications and blogs. Young children are included by the ability to produce podcast and creative writing projects. Older students can work on group projects, search the web and access source feeds generated by the schools system from home or school. Teachers can post lesson reviews and other schools can post podcast. It allows easy sharing of ideas and communication between other districts, students, teachers and parents.
2. How can the teacher control social networking in the classroom?
Teachers have the capacity to customize the information to fit their classroom needs. The Open-Source, source codes provided in the software package can be modified so teachers can control every aspect of their classroom networking experience. Content, comments, and data posted by their students must be sanctioned by the teacher before it goes to the net. All of this is achieved by teacher-defined access controls on the system. Teachers have the ability to manage their student lists and passwords right in the online interface. The flexibility of this system is what makes it ideal for the classroom and teacher’s controls.
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