So after my decision to avoid Linked In for now, I was impressed with the possibilities offered by Nings. I was glad to find the English Companion Ning (http://englishcompanion.ning.com/) to be quite useful, full of ideas and helpful strategies. Now this is something I can actually use, I thought. So, I joined, and now I'm just waiting for my profile to be approved by the Ning administrator. I'm looking forward to joining the Teaching Shakespeare group and maybe the Teaching Vocabulary group... ooooh, or the Teaching the Research Paper group (my 7th graders are just starting their research papers on the Olympics). I hope I can both contribute to this community and benefit from it.
On first glance, it seems that Nings provide a more focused area for discussion than a regular blog. When I initially got to the English Companion Ning, I immediately saw topics I would be interested in. I felt welcome without even doing anything. I related to the group because of the groups and topics available. I think this provides an example of the value of Web 2.0. It appears I can connect with teachers around the country, and even the world, who are teaching some of the same objectives that I am teaching, and perhaps struggling with some of the same conflicts that I have faced. The opportunity to learn from one another and help one another is evident here.
As for creating a Ning for students, as far as I can tell, I like this idea. I think students would welcome the chance to voice their opinions in a forum like this, and it would be especially helpful if teachers guided the conversation topic. Plus, it might make students aware of the public nature of writing for Web 2.0, and how important it is to present yourself truthfully. I am glad to have been introduced to the Ning and I hope I can think of productive ways to use it.
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It sounds like you found a number of Nings that could prove valuable for your area of teaching. The idea of a "focused blog" is appealing considering the vast amount of information on the web.
ReplyDeleteI hope the Ning "bouncer" lets you in! =)
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ReplyDeleteI like the idea of creating a NING for students in the MSG especially since they are too young to be on Facebook but could use some training with social media. Moodle is good but a NING would be even better for social media exposure.
ReplyDeleteWhat shocks me is that we don't have a NING yet for Sacred Heart Educators in this country and around the world. Do I have to make one myself??? It is free.