Beyond Facebook: Other Social Networks
Twitter and Facebook may grab the headlines in social networking, but there are many other social networks. Social networks are online communities created around interests with people-to-people recommendations and communication. These specialized social networks allow like-minded users to find and interact with one another, whether around crafts or cars or any other shared interest. In this Thing, we'll take a look at some of these networks.Discovery Resources:
Gather Gather describes itself as the “leading social networking and media site for adults, with some of the highest quality user-generated content on the internet.” Most of the discussion on Gather is in a debate format, focused around a single issue, book, or theme to appeal to busy professionals. American Public Media is heavily invested in this site as an outlet for National Public Radio listeners.
Ning is a social networking site with a different focus. With Ning, you can set up your own social network based on your particular interest or join one that someone else has already created. There are several educator networks from which to choose. To learn more about Ning, check out TeacherPop or school related groups below.
School-related groups on Ning: TeacherPop (a social network for preservice and inservice teacher started right here at APSU) Classroom 2.0, and Teacher-Librarian Ning.
Other social networks provide recommendations and reviews, focus on politics, promote career development, or revolve around an interest like music, pets, or food.
Wikipedia list of social network sites
My Guide to Social Networks, a satirical article on social networks in PC Magazine
Discovery Exercise:
1. APSU has a Ning network, TeacherPop. Join it and do at least 2 of the following:
- Leave comments for another member
- Upload your photos or video to the Ning
- Add the Ning badge to your blog
- Add another of the Ning widgets to your blog
Education
Music
Food
Movies
Books
Hobbies
3. Write a blog post discussing the following:
- Are you a member of any online communities?
- Are any of these social networks appealing to you?
- What did you find that was interesting and that you might use later?
