Social Networking as an Educational Tool summary

     This is a summary of my summary about how social networking can be used as an educational tool.

    As Internet gains popularity, educators look for ways of utilizing internet tools as educational tools. Of course, in the past there have been attempts of utilizing other forms of media for educational purposes, with some working and most failing. But it is nonetheless worth trying. The primary focus of educators trying to utilize internet tools is on Web 2.0 tools. These tools have some redeeming qualities, and these qualities have been used for boosting the success of these tools. Some of the examples include but are not limited to Amazon, Wikipedia and Podcasts. 

    The primary source of social networking online is user generated content. By creating their own content, users are able to interract with other users, be it one sided or not. User generated content also creates great opportunities for teachers. But, to utilize these opportunities, teachers need to shape their courses accordingly. 

    Although the implications of Web 2.0 for education are great, Web 2.0 learners also have some distinct features. These features are both positive and negative, and teachers need to understand Web 2.0 learners before trying to hone their courses to their students. 

    There are also criticts questioning the "ethics" of social networking as an educational tool. Some of these critics prefer traditional values, some of them question the accesibility of user created content and at the extreme level, these critics say that Web 2.0 learning cannot be "real" education.

    Along with the changing learning environment, research environment also changed with Web 2.0. Because of the digitalization of sources, the nature of research has undergone an evolution. This evolution led to certain consequences as well. 

    Web 2.0 research shows that there are certain design choices teachers can take in order to make the courses better for the Web 2.0 learners. These design choises are chiefly collaboration and student centered courses. These choices are a result of the research into Web 2.0 learners. Apart from design choices, teachers can base their lessons on constructivist theory, as research shows that consructivist theory is compatible with Web 2.0 learning.