Thanks, Ning.

I just got a call from my primary contact at Ning, letting me know one aspect of the support they've been so generous in giving to educators--the funding me as a consultant--has fallen victim to this economic downturn.

While I am of course, disappointed, it's been a great priviledge and pleasure to represent Ning to educators, and to represent educators to Ning. The build-your-own-social-network model has opened many doors to thinking about professional development and classroom work in the context of social media. I want to say it's been historic. I think it has been. I hope you'll consider leaving a comment here letting Ning know if you feel it's made a difference for you. I'd love to leave them with a parting gift celebrating what they've done.

I will miss the opportunity to get paid to work on something I truly love. Classroom 2.0, which is just about to reach 15,000 members, will stay unchanged as it's never been a part of the work I've done for Ning. It was, however, the impetus for calling Ning co-founder Gina Bianchini last year and suggesting that I could work for them. I felt that CR 2.0 would have a hard time growing and making a real difference for educators if I had to "monetize" it, so working for Ning would be a justification for my keeping it free. That turned out to be a great idea. Because I had paid work to do for Ning, I felt comfortable keeping CR 2.0 open to, and encouraging of, other educators starting their own networks. I believe that was a critical part of the broader adoption of social networking by those who were a part of it, and Ning deserves a lot of credit for that.

If you do a search at Ning.com for networks tagged with "education," there appear to be over 9,000 results. A look at http://socialnetworksined.wikispaces.com shows some of the depth and variety of educational networks that have been created. 15,000 members (almost) in CR 2.0. Over 3,000 members in Ning in Education. Most everyone I know in ed tech has created a network or two or more. Isn't that amazing when you think of how hard it was, even just a few years ago, to imagine social networking as a part of educational practice?

It's been a great ride. No doubt, there is still much fun ahead of us, but I'll miss my formal association with Ning.

Social Networking in Education Has a Milestone Day

Two big milestones...

Thanks to all of you who are using Classroom 2.0 and who have helped to show the value of collaborative social communities in professional development and education. As of earlier today we now have over 10,000 members... amazing!

Thanks for all of your great questions, discussions, and collaborations--and especially for your welcoming attitudes and the way in which you invite and help other educators to learn about Web 2.0 and colllaborative technologies.

And... Ning in Education just hit 2,000 members. What a day...!

Thanks to everyone there for your progressive exploring and use of Ning and social networking in education. It's great to be associated with you. Don't forget to add your educational Ning networks to the wiki at http://socialnetworksined.wikispaces.com/. If you need help doing so, feel free to email me.

Big thanks go to the folks at Ning (Marc, Gina, Athena, Bob, Kyle, and everyone else) who've helped to create a product that--while not intended for the education market--has been so helpful in showing that social networking can have a great and positive impact on education. Your support, your enthusiasm, and the ad-free program have been great!

Kind of spooky (and fun) that both networks hit such significant milestones with a few hours of each other.

Social Networking in Education

(Cross-posted from The Infinite Thinking Machine)

There's an interesting change afoot, and it relates to the use of social networking in education.

MySpace and Facebook are just two examples of social networking sites, but unfortunately, their early prominence has created a stigma around social networking that the technology itself doesn't deserve. The understandable concerns created by these early and popular networks have overshadowed some amazing changes that are taking place in educational environments when the tools of social networking are being used with students and teachers.

“Social Networks” are really just collections of Web 2.0 technologies combined in a way that help to build online communities. In December, Classroom 2.0, the social network I started for educators interested in Web 2.0 and collaborative technologies, won the 2007 EduBlog Award for “best use of a social network for educational purposes” and now has nearly 5,000 members. The twist here, of course, is that Classroom 2.0 is a network for teachers (yes, adults, those sometimes called "digital immigrants!) who are interested in the use of Web 2.0 in the classroom and who are using the site for personal professional development. The ability to have productive, engaging dialog with others in a community is a natural fit for all ages in education.

Because I do consulting work for the social networking company Ning (as part of which I run their http://education.ning.com site), I thought it would be interesting to try to find out the different ways in social networks are being used in education. So I started a single-purpose wiki for educators to link to and describe their social networking sites. I'm including a snapshot of the list as it is today, but it keeps growing and as it does so provides an interesting insight into the variety of ways that social networks are being put to productive educational uses. You'll have to forgive the length, but it helps to make the point. Personally, I think as the tools of online social networking and course management inevitably merge, we'll find more and more compelling educational uses for them.

Today's snapshot of "Social Networking in Education:"

Ning-based:

General:

• 12SCR - the greatest tutor group in GCUS, UK - A social networking area especially for 12SCR Tutor Group at GCUS, UK.
• Alabama Educator's Network- For teachers living in Alabama (Please join if you live in AL.)
• AsiaTeach.ning.com - Teaching and Education in Asia: Communities of Hope - Asian Educators discover and discuss common and unique challenges and experiences in Asian teaching contexts.
• Classroom 2.0 - Web 2.0 in the Classroom
• College 2.0 - Higher Education, Online Education and Web 2.0
• Comenius Programme Network A network for teachers accross Europe to seek support, share ideas and experiences to help ensure successful Projects
• Coming of Age - The Book on Web 2.0 in the Classroom
• eLatin eGreek eLearn - Helping Classics teachers (Latin and Greek) understand and incorporate technology into the classroom.
• EduBloggerWorld - International Edubloggers
• Fielfindr A portal to connect classrooms to the world: Global citizens can share talents and skills with students.
• Fireside Learning (ning) - "Conversations about learning. Sit by the fireside and share your thoughts."
• Gifted Education Ning space for parents and teachers started by Ginger Lewman to discuss gifted issues
• The Global Education Collaborative - Promoting Global Awareness
• International Collaboration - High school and university students worldwide collaborate and learn about each others' cultures and life styles
• International Classroom - Social network created for classes around the world. Space where pupils can share, talk about themselves ,show pictures and videos etc,and get to know each other's culture.
• ILTCE - Illinois Technology Conference for Educators - Learning Without Boundaries 2008
• ISEnet - Independent School Educators Network for k-12 educators & students
• Laptop Learning Community - Preparing Students with 21st Century Skills
• Learning 2.0 - Creating Collaborative Learning
• LITE - Leading Innovative Technology use in Education - Glenview School District 34
• MACUL Space - Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning. Educators Pre-K to 20.
• Michigan Classroom 2.0 Michigan Classroom 2.0 is for Educators interested in integrating technology into the classroom. A collaborative site where"beginners" and pro's can find a comfortable place to start being part of the digital dialog.
• Nanopaprika.eu - Network of NanoScience
• New Teacher Resources (A Supportive Community for New Middle School Teachers)
• Next Generation Teachers - Improving Teaching and Learning with New Technologies
• Online Projects 4 Teachers - Linking Teachers Together
• PBS Teachers - Using a private Ning network to Connect with our Teacher Advisory Group
• ProjectsByJen - PreK - 6th Grade Teacher Collaboration
• PSUCast PowerSchool users network.
• RBG Worldwide 1 Nation (ning) Afrikan Centered Cultural Development and Education
• School 2.0 - The Changing of Education
• Schoolwork Together - Space for teens from Israel and Dutch school to meet and discuss ideas for a common project
• SIGTE 2008 Book Discussion; Steering committee currently discussing book choices. Using NING as communication tool.
• Smallsteps - a class based network set up to support 14yr old design students with a design and make project centred around the topic of waste reduction.
• SPLICE - this is part of a JISC funded project run by CETIS at Bolton University to explore social networking for creative industries students, teachers and practitioners. SPLICE = social practices, learning and interoperability in connected environments.
• teachustech.ning.com - A network of teachers using technology
• We Are Teachers IMAGINE Network- Online Knowledge Marketplace
• WorkForce Educators - Distance Learning and Teaching
• World Englishes Project- Blended Learning Course about World Englishes in collaboration with Waseda University, Japan.
• WEBTAS (Web Teaching and Academic Support Learning Community)
• Web2learning (For Teachers interested in using Web 2.0 technology’ to enhance online teaching and learning activities)

Art:

• Art Snacks- Teaching Art
• Arteda.net Art Education in the Digital Age - lots of videos of Exhibits/Lectures/Artist from Boston and a Web 2.0 Hybrid Drawing class.
• Comic Art School Open community with resources for drawing and making comics.
• Drawing Faces - Course for drawing faces, portraits, cartoon heads and caricatures.
• Museums and Students - A network for museums and students to interact and learnAg
• UTA Film and Video Network - for art (film) students and faculty of the University of Texas, Arlington
• UTA Animation Network - for animation students and faculty of the University of Texas, Arlington

Classroom Networks:

• Across Generations Homework help, resources, projects from students, resources for students and parents.
• Big Dog Science - eighth grade science class network for student collaboration on chemistry projects
• CCM Music - a network to connect students and staff across music courses at City College Manchester, an FE and HE college in the UK. This is a closed network but a video tour is here.
• The Connected Classroom - Private network connecting 7 grade 4 classes in international and public schools around the world (looking for members in Japan, Australia and China).
• Creative Media Classroom - Private network for 11th-12th grade students taking Creative Media (an evolution from Creative Writing) as an elective at a college preparatory school.
• Dio Digital Learning Lab Classroom based interactive network at Diocesan School for Girls in New Zealand (Private)
• Flat Classroom Project - Planning, communication and collaboration Ning for the Flat Classroom Project
• The French Connection - Private network connecting 2 grade 6-7 classes in the US and France for communication, language practice.
• GCHS Theater Arts Online reflection space for GCHS theater arts students (closed)
• The Global Cooling Collective - Planning World Concerts, Creating World Change, Empowering Global Youths
• historycentral.net A networks for 7th grade history students in a small K-8
• Hurricane Maine - Network for my students but hope to open it up for collaboration
• IntroTV/Video - 9-12th grade TV/Video students use this as a place to upload their work (closed - due to copyright issues)
• Kerr Honors - 9th grade English Network for Reading Reflection (closed - could open up)
• Kingswear Network - a private UK primary (ages 5-11) classroom network but main page is public
• McCorrmick31 - 11th grade English Network for reflection on independent reading projects. (closed - could open up)
• Mr. Edge's English I Space at edgespace.ning.com
• newentenglishsixth - private Ning for 6th Form students of English Literature at Newent Community School, UK (closed)
• Odyssey of the Mind - A closed network for students at Odyssey Charter HS in Nevada. There are three teachers participating with about 30 students currently in the network.
• Readin' Writin' Techin' - Closed network run by four teachers in Southern NJ as part of a study group looking at ways Web 2.0 technologies can be used to generate interest in reading and enhance writing skills. Network has 14 members (four adults and ten students).
• Reading Revolution - This network is to promote student interest in reading books. The network is between a class in an inner city school in California and a class in rural Iowa. Students are encouraged to be social and talk about the books they are reading or want to read. Students make and post videos and podcast about their favorite books, authors and their communities.
• Second Grade - Private network for a 2nd grade class students and parents to share multimedia, to communicate and practice writing in an informal environment.
• TLGplace - Taking Learning Global, a place for students 15+ and their teachers to share inter-cultural experiences while learning.
• Truss2YPI - one of several private Gr. 10 class networks, "Learning about grassroots organizations in our community." see YPI
• WellesleyHigh - High School Faculty/Staff Network (closed)
• World Village - Private network connecting 3 grade 2 classes in Thailand and the US to learn about different cultures.
• Xtreme Learning - Private network connecting highly able students in 9 grade 5 classes in international and public schools around the world - focus on reading and literature.
• Learning Options Social Network - A private social network of students in a very small high school in northwestern Wisconsin, who are taking online classes through a variety of vendors for enrichment or credit recovery.

Conferences:

• CUE Community - Conference website for CUE.org and 2008 CUE Conference (with individual forum threads for every session and speaker pages).
• The Illinois Technology Conference for Educators- A social networking site for conference attendees, vendors and speakers. Educators following the conference from afar as also encouraged to join this ning. Stay tuned for handouts, pictures, and video of our 2008 event!
• Learning 2.008 Shanghai - Educational Technology Conference held in Shanghai in September for international teachers in the Asia region.
• MACUL Space - The Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning

Course Material:

• openlearn - Open University Course Material

English as a Foreign Language:

• EFL Classroom 2.0
• Inglês Verde e Amarelo - IVA is an established network of Brazilians learning English and English-speakers learning Portuguese of interested in Brazil.
• ListeningPlus A network for students who felt they wanted to keep in touch and practicing English after their online session at Casa Thomas Jefferson (Brasilia, Brazil) was over.
• Mexico English Teachers' Alliance :: META Web 2.0 - META is a social and educational network for English teachers that promotes learner-centered teaching methods and Web technologies in and out of EFL classrooms.

English as a Second Language:

• CSWE 3 Werribee - An adult ESL network for my class of new refugees and immigrants to Melbourne, Australia (closed - may open up)

English Education (Pre- and In-Service):

• FSC-KU M.Ed. (TESL) - (private) a network for those taking the Framingham State College Masters in Ed. program (IEP - International Education Program)
• Montclair State English Education - Support Network for Montclair State University (New Jersey) English teacher certification students—including pre- and in-service students and novice teachers during their induction period.

French

• fauxamis.ning.com - False friends alias words that look the same but have a different meaning in French and in an other language.
• frenchteacher.ning.com French teacher (closed network)
• frenchteachers.ning.com French teachers (open network)
• grammaire.ning.com - French grammar.
• vocabulaire.ning.com - French vocabulary.

Language Learning:

• Talkabout Primary MFL- for those teaching (or considering teaching) foreign languages in Primary schools (ages 3-11)

Leadership:

• Education Leadership - A community for educators to discuss effective leadership, to share best practices, and work toward - lead - a culture of positive change in education.
• SMS 5 Year Program Collaboration - A collaboration network for all preservice teachers at Suncrest Middle School in Morgantown, WV. Members are in the 5 year teacher education program, host teachers and associated administrators.

Libraries:

• Library 2.0
• TeacherLibrarianNing - A community for teacher-librarians and other educators

Professional Development:

• Digital Citizenship resources for educators.
• DuBois and Beyond: Private local Network for PD
• E2T2 Tech Mentor Grant
• Literacy Coach Network - best practices in literacy coaching
• OnlineProjects4Teachers - Linking Teachers Together
• PassionateTeachers A group of those teachers/educators who are passionate about teaching-learning new strategies to make learning a joyful experience.
• Pixels, Please collaborate and share resources, ideas, lesson plans, etc. amongst educators about how to use Digital Images in the classroom.
• Professional Development 2.0 - Educators Learn the 2.0 Way
• Readin' Writin' Techin' - Closed network run by four teachers in Southern NJ as part of a study group looking at ways Web 2.0 technologies can be used to generate interest in reading and enhance writing skills. Network has 14 members (four adults and ten students).
• Teachers 2.0 - Teaching in the digital age.
• The Teacher Collaborative - A social network of teachers and educators attempting to integrate technology into current curriculum practices by developing global project ideas and classroom partnerships.
• teacher/tearner: minds of our own - A private network of independent interdependent teachers learning. The goal for this network in 2008 is to become an even more valuable professional learning network. We are also accepting membership by educators who are interested in using and sharing the use of Web 2.0.
• Teachers as Writers - This is a place where teachers who are writers or wannabe writers can share their enthusiasm for whatever it is they have put on paper or want to put on paper. It's about encouraging people to write and "carve their niches in the edifice of time."
• Tech Camp for Educators-With literacy as a focus, technology will be infused across the curriculum as a tool for teaching and learning. This is a hands-on, practical class. This is a face to ce week long tech camp taught by Meg Ormiston.
• University of Chicago Charter Schools
• Virginia Independent School Teachers
• Web 2.0 4 Teachers - This network is for teachers and administrators who have attended my workshops and conference presentations that highlight the use of Web 2.0 tools. It provides a place for them to engage during and after the sessions.
• Western New York Powerful Learning Practices: A social network where teachers and administrators from various school districts explore and learn Web 2.0 tools.
• Vidsnacks: Video training for teachers wishing to incorporate video into their lessons.

Regional:

• Computer-based study strategies - for Teachers and students affiliated with the University of Oregon
• Edureshet - Israeli educators and web20 in the classroom
• Greenbush Education Service Center
• Profesores ELE en Holanda - for Teachers of Spanish as a Foreign Language working in the Netherlands (in progress) | Profesores de Español como Lengua Extranjera (ELE) que trabajan en los Países Bajos.
• School Matters - Knoxville, TN Area Network

Second Life:

• Sloan-C SL-NET (Higher Ed)
• Second Life Educational Videos

Spanish as a Foreign Language:

• Profesores ELE en Holanda - for Teachers of Spanish as a Foreign Language working in the Netherlands (in progress) | Profesores de Español como Lengua Extranjera (ELE) que trabajan en los Países Bajos.

Student Organizations:

• EARCOS Global Issues Network - Earth’s Hope is the theme of the EARCOS Global Issues Network Conference to be held in Beijing April 4, 5 & 6 at Western Academy of Beijing. The Global Issues Network is based on the ideas in Jean Francois Rischard’s book “Twenty Global Problems, Twenty Years to Solve Them.” Rischard identifies 20 urgent global problems and encourages the formation of small groups around the world to help solve them

Technology:

• Blended Learning and Instruction - Engaging students and teachers in active learning by using technology and combining online with face-to-face instruction. Members will share various 2.0 tools and ways of integrating technology effectively.
• Online Instruction - Teachers need ongoing support and information to facilitate online classes. Online Instruction caters to instructors who wish to discuss ways of developing, implementing, and providing learners with the most effective means of online instruction.
• Teaching 'N Technology - A brand new network designed for teachers and technology specialists to share strategies, ideas, and tools regarding technology integration.
• Technology Integration - Gathering perspectives and best practices from teachers, administrators, students, parents, Board of Education members, support personnel, vendors and others regarding technology integration in education. Site also available by visiting TechnologyIntegration.org.
• Video production and multimedia - Video is the language of the 21st century. Learn how to do it here.

Vocational:

• Etools and Tips for Educators - Vocational e-learning and training
• Mobile Communication - The social implications of mobile communication ( this site is focused on the academic analysis of mobile communication in society)SkillsTech Australia - Stonemasonry students, employers and teachers
• Vocational e-Learning Mentors - Vocational e-learning and training

Non-Ning Based:

General:

• me.edu.au - A social network for educators with an interest in Australia
• YouFig - Custom Collaboration Communities for Academia

Facebook-based:

• e-Learning in developing and developed countries - for AcademiaThe challenge facing e-learning in developing countries is an on going process that requires everyone's attention. Global learning and cultural exchange via e-learning can unite and contribute to co-existence and world peace.

Big News from Ning: Ad-Free Student Networks

I've been working with Ning as an educational consultant for a couple of months now, and run their Ning for Educators network. I really like both their model of "creating your own social network," and their responsiveness to the education community. While the big public news for Ning this week is their participation in and support of Google's Open Social platform (will have to save talking about that for another day), yesterday they made a quiet decision which will greatly benefit the educational community: to provide ad-free student networks to K-12 educators. (Update: see new notes and procedures below.)

Ning has been a great example of the how Web 2.0 applications can be free to use, supported by the ubuiquitous Google ad network. There are several upgrade options, the primary one being the ability to run an ad-free network, or to host your own ads, for $19.95 a month. While this is a reasonable cost, most educators exploring the (great) uses of social networking in education have a hard time jumping through the administrative hoops to get this approved, and up to now have only been able to experiment with Ning by using the ad-supported version.

Yesterday, in a flurry of email exchanges, Ning's Gina Bianchini and Athena Von Oech, Flat Classroom superstars Vicki Davis and Julie Lindsay, and I worked out the details of a trial program to remove the ad component from any existing or newly-created K-12 student-centered networks. If we can show them ad-free networks are something educators really want (that won't be hard!), they will continue the program and create a more automated, stream-lined process--but in the meantime, here is what you can do: (no longer current, skip to below)

1. Create your student network, if you don't already have one
2. Go to http://help.ning.com/?page_id=27
3. Use the subject line: "Ad Removal Request for grades 7 - 12 Education Network"
4. Put in your network ID at the beginning of the "Describe your issue" box, then just give a one-sentence description of your network usage. For example, you could put:
   "flatclassroomproject.ning.com - a global collaborative project founded by Vicki Davis (Westwood Schools, USA) and Julie Lindsay (Qatar Academy, Qatar) in 2006 to use Web 2.0 tools to facilitate communication, interaction and collaboration between students and teachers from all participating classrooms."
5. Email me at steve@hargadon.com if your network isn't ad-free within 72 hours (let's just say three *work* days!). [This is an update as of 1/18/08.]
   
6. Join the Ning in Education community to get help, hints, and tips for using Ning in educational settings
   
7. Consider thanking Ning by placing a "Ning in Education" badge on your frontpage by following the link on the right side of that network that says "Get a Ning in Education Badge!" You can then add the HTML code into a text box on your network.
   

Huge thanks to Ning, Vicki, and Julie!

UPDATE 11/1/07 6:00 pm:

Ning has had to modify this program for the time being because of COPPA concerns. For the time being, Ning is not COPPA-compliant so it is intended for people ages 13 and up, and this ad-free trial program will only be for networks geared toward students between the ages of 13 and 18 (grades 7 - 12).

I've pored over COPPA, and am trying to decide the status of private networks, with no ads, where teachers create login accounts for student use, and that don't specifically ask for "personal" data. It would seem they might be in compliance. Any thoughts?

Also to note: while this program is a trial, and Ning may or may not decide to make it a permanent offer, Ning has assured me that any networks which qualify and are converted to ad-free will stay ad free. :)

Update 9/16/08:

Ning has upgraded their online help system, and so the instructions for requesting an ad-free educational network have changed:

1. Please sign in to the Ning "Help Centre" first: http://help.ning.com/cgi-bin/ning.cfg/php/enduser/ning_login.php. This will also allow you to see the status of your "ticket" or request. You can submit a ticket without signing it (use the "skip" link next to the "sign in" link), but you won't be able to track the progress of your request.
2. Click the "Contact Us" link at the top of the page.
3. The "Ask Our Team a Question" form then appears.
4. In the first field (“I have a question about”) select “a network that I have created.”
5. A new field with a pull down menu will appear (“I specifically want to know”) and you should choose “General Question.”
6. A window will appear where you need to choose a specific topic. Please choose “other” at the end of the list.
7. You may skip the "I'm Feeling" field if you'd like.
8. In the "Network URL" field please give the network address of the educational network you are asking Ning to make ad-free.
9. In the message portion of the ticket, please specifically write that you are requesting an add-free network for education.
10. Click the send button!
11. Join the Ning in Education community to get help, hints, and tips for using Ning in educational settings.
12. Consider thanking Ning by placing a "Ning in Education" badge on your frontpage by following the link on the right side of that network that says "Get a Ning in Education Badge!" You can then add the HTML code into a text box on your network.
13. If your network isn't ad-free within three working days, please check the status of your help request at the same web address under "View Tickets."

Update 9/2/09:

See this post from Ning: http://blog.ning.com/2009/08/back-in-the-classroom-and-signed-in-too.html

Marc Andreessen: From the Web Browser to Social Networking

It's hard for me to imagine someone more interesting to interview than Marc Andreessen. Marc was one of the co-authors of the original web browser, has a history in the Free and Open Source Software movement, and now is one of the founders of the "build-your-own" social networking site Ning. The Classroom 2.0 social network I set up on Ning has really helped to galvanize my thoughts on the substantial contributions that I think social networking will have in education, both for student use and for teacher professional development.

Marc is not only fascinating to listen to, he's also a true gentleman--you may notice a skip in the recording, which is where my recording software failed in our original interview. Marc was kind enough to re-record the second half of our discussion some days later. His comments on the future of blogs and social networks toward the end are challenging and insightful, and his descriptions of the qualities he looks for in employees could provide a great platform for discussion on the skills we teach in schools (see also his blog post on this).

I also owe to Marc my first experience editing Wikipedia. I've been a huge wiki user and lover for quite a while, but I'd never actually played in the "big leagues" by editing Wikipedia. When I was researching Marc for the interview, I noticed that a couple of the links on his Wikipedia were broken, so I fixed them. I have to admit to feeling a little thrill editing Wikipedia...

For a related interview, Marc's business partner at Ning is Gina Bianchini, and you can find my recent interview with her here.

Listen to the the Interview in MP3 format
Listen to the Interview in Vorbis OGG format