Social Software in Middle and High School Instruction

A Webliography for Educators

 

This webliography provides an introduction to social software and the possibilities for its use in the classroom.  It is intended as a starting point for exploration by teachers, administrators, and interested others.  Teachers are cautioned to thoroughly review all sites and links before sharing or recommending them to students, parents, or other educators.

 

 

 

General information

 

A Day In The Life Of Web 2.0 (http://www.techlearning.com/showArticle.php?articleID=193200296)

Article/podcast that imagines possibilities for web 2.0 technologies and social software to enhance connections between students, teachers and administrators.

 

Listen to the natives.  (http://www.ascd.org/cms/objectlib/ascdframeset/index.cfm?publication=http://www.ascd.org/authors/ed_lead/el200512_prensky.html)

Article by Marc Prensky in Educational Leadership, 63(4), 8-13.  Makes compelling arguments for engaging and collaborating with students through technology for 21st century learning.

 

Social networking Websites and teens:  An overview.  (http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_SNS_Data_Memo_Jan_2007.pdf)

A Pew Internet & American Life Project Data Memo.  Includes survey data regarding teen patterns, activities, and motivations for using social networking websites.

 

When Kids Network Online: The Benefits and Risks (http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.aspx?r=1120)

Article by Kristin Stanberry in GreatSchools.net – The Parent’s Guide to K-12 Success.  Provides a definition and overview of social networking, and its potential benefits and risks students, including those with learning disabilities.

 

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News/current issues

 

Educational technology (http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/blogger.html)

A blog about “news, techniques and theories of effective use of technology in education.”  Provides commentary, insight and links to everything from scholarly research to teacher message boards.

 

Internet filtering: The effects in a middle and high school setting.  (http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/win2005/Internetfiltering/index.html)

Research article in Meridian: A Middle School Computer Technologies Journal, 8(1).  Explores the effects of Internet filtering through the experiences of students and teachers.

 

The School Library Media Specialist:  Information access & delivery: Internet access & filtering issues. (http://eduscapes.com/sms/access/filtering.html)

Overview and links to information about Internet filtering and access issues in the school library media center.  Includes discussion and links about the history, background, issues and alternatives to Internet filters in schools.

 

Weblog-ed:  Learning with the read/write web (http://weblogg-ed.com/)

Will Richardson ’s blog about web 2.0 technology in education.  Also includes links to other educational blogs, resources, and his wiki, “weblogged,  Insight on current issues from a former high school teacher, and rich collection of resources in the blog and wiki.

 

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Tools and examples

 

Classroom 2.0 (http://www.classroom20.com/)

A social networking site for educators interested and using social software and web 2.0 technology in education.  Includes discussion forums, blogs, wiki, and groups organized by interest/topic.

 

Educational wikis (http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/)

Articles, examples and discussion forum about the use of wikis in education.  Extensive annotated list of links to wikis created in classrooms around the world.

 

The Secret Life of Bees (http://central.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/bees/)

Example of an American literature classroom blog used to discuss the book, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.  Students contributed summaries, analysis and artwork.  Students were able to have a virtual question and answer session with the author.

 

Web 2.0 for the Classroom (http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listweb20s.html)

An extensive list of websites and social software for teachers.  Created with AT&T’s Filamentality, this webpage also serves as an example of an online teaching/research tool.

 

WebQuest.org (http://webquest.org/index.php)

            Authentic-learning lessons and projects using web-based inquiry.  Examples included on the site:  career planning, diet/nutrition analysis, and business/development.  Includes a database of WebQuests, and instructions and templates for developing WebQuests.

 

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