For a long time now I have been researching articles relating to social media and blogging in education. It is an interesting field. I feel that educators have a role to play as exemplars in the community.

Social media is reaching into so many facets of our everyday lives. People young and old are exploring online tools like Facebook and Twitter. People in the street, organisations and multinational companies are using social media. There are no easily obtained guide books for this stuff and we have a generation of students diving into social media and they have no idea regarding the depth of the social media “pool”. Some of our students cope quite well and seemingly have an intuitive understanding of the implications of using social media. Other students do not. They either hit the bottom of the pool or come up gasping for air.

How are adults reacting to social media? Some dive in and manage the water quite okay. Others make a big splash, creating waves in the process. Some dip in their big toes only. Others are afraid of the water. Then there is those that put up “Danger – No swimming allowed” signs.

The Gordon

Education organisations should to explore social media and have a crack at publishing and sharing these new tools. A good example of one such organisation is The Gordon ~ aka The Gordon Institute of TAFE. It has an excellent web site and prominently linked on the top of each page are links to The Gordon’s presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. This is an excellent application of social media by an education provider. It is no wonder considering that The Gordon is the number one training provider in the state of Victoria.

It is up to education organisations to follow the lead of The Gordon. Now, you might wish to do some research regarding social media. There are some choice articles below to point you in the right direction.

A good place to start with social media is the blog. I actually do not like the term blog. But, there it is, blog. I am stuck with it. Anyway, blogs are an interesting way to start exploring this thing called social media.

Blogging

  • Educause: 7 Things You Should Know About Blogs
  • Educause: 7 Things You Should Know About RSS
  • Commoncraft: Blogs in Plain English
  • Commoncraft: RSS in Plain English

    • Articles about education blogging

  • Stephen Downes ~ Blogs In Education
  • Sue Waters ~ Edublogger: Tips For Better Blogging
  • Sue Waters ~ Edublogger: Growing Your Blog Readership
  • Sue Waters ~ Edublogger: Getting Blog Design Right
  • Doug Belshaw ~ How I Got Started and The Difference It Has Made
  • Jeff Utecht ~ Blogging Process: Find Your Flow
  • Miguel Guhlin ~Rethinking Blogging – Social Dissemination Network
  • Miguel Guhlin ~ Protecting The Sanctity of Blogging
  • Miguel Guhlin ~ Why Blog?
  • Miguel Guhlin ~ Engage me or Enchant Me
  • Clay Burell ~ Why I Blog, Updated
  • Larry Ferlazzo ~ Why I Write This Blog
  • Karl Fisch ~ Journalist Citizens
  • Mike Bogle ~Technology and Restoration of Voice
  • Bill Ferriter ~ Tips for Growing Your Blog’s Audience: Authenticity
  • Bill Ferriter ~ Tips for Growing Your Blog’s Audience: Consistency
  • Bill Ferriter ~ Tips for Growing Your Blog’s Audience: Bravery
  • Vicki Davis ~ Healthy Habits to Grow Your Online Presence
  • Wes Fryer ~ Blog comment moderation: How and Why?
  • Dean Shareski ~ In Search Of The Reflective Practitioner
  • Scott McLeod ~ Are you an infrequent edublogger?
  • Scott McLeod ~ Be a courageous edublogger
  • Tom Barrett ~ Why Bother Blogging?
  • Steve Wheeler ~ Why Do I Bother?
  • Support Blogging ~ Benefits of educational blogging
  • Evidence that tech use and blogging really relate to increased student achievement
  • Moving Forward ~ significant blog posts

    • The Internet, Social Media, Privacy and Control

    Three exemplars

    Published articles on the issue of Social Media in Education

    Educators write on the issue of Social Media in Education

    Worksheets

    Here are a selection of worksheets to get you thinking about social media.