Learning Circle - Learners and Virtual Community: Social Networking in Academia

Framing question: Are there benefits to incorporating social networking opportunities in to our learning environments?

We know that our students tend to be “social learners.” How do we best capitalize on this trait by integrating social networking in to our teaching and learning frameworks? Do we use existing social networking “currencies” (i.e. Facebook), or implement our own hosted solutions (i.e. Elgg), or do we replicate social networking functionality in our learning management systems? Are there combinations of offerings that make more sense? Join this learning circle for conversation about the qualities and characteristics of social networks that matter for teaching and learning. We’ll also brainstorm about and share integration strategies and pitfalls from our institutional environments.

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Thanks to all the wonderful people who attending this working session! We had a great discussion!

Attached farther down are two pdfs of the concept maps we generated as a group (thumb-nailed below). In the next day or two, I'll scan and post the note cards from the smaller group discussion as well.

Concept Map 1