Social Networking as a Tool for Establish Learning Communities

Responding to Beyond Social Networking: Building Toward Learning Communities, By Ruth Reynard

Summary: In the article, Beyond Social Networking: Building Toward Learning Communities, author Ruth Reynard advocates for the utilization of social networking within the classroom environment to engage students in constructing knowledge, collaboration, and, thus, creating a community of learning. How to reach this goal requires a process and the intentional guidance of the teacher, similar to that of establishing the atmosphere of a physical classroom.

Reaction: As a whole, it sounded like the author was referencing interactive technology beyond social networking and incorporating Web 2.0 as a whole. During my own educational experience, I have encountered helpful technology tools which have assisted in my growth as a student, a member of the collective whole, and knowledge base. One example is my cohort’s Facebook page, on which we post questions and answers, exchange ideas, plan events, and share our thoughts. On the positive side, this is a single place to connect with the whole group and receive quick feedback. On the downside, not all of our classmates are Facebook members, and, thus, are not part of the hub. As another example, some of my college professors have assigned online discussions. A typical process has included first posting, then commenting to other classmates, and then responding to comments on one’s own post. What I have benefitted from these include: publically communicating my thoughts, hearing the perceptive of others, and, then, going back to my writing to strengthen my argument because I have a broader viewpoint then before. A last example, although not social networking, illustrates the collaboration of ideas, via a Google document. What has been helpful about this tool is the ability to work simultaneously with team members and have one document to share, which we can add and edit it on the spot. It’s like we are able to get inside each other’s minds. With this said, I support Reynard’s argument to utilize Web 2.0, like social networking, to create active, constructivist classrooms.

Reference: Reynard, R. (2009).  “Beyond Social Networking: Building Toward Learning Communities.” Retrieved from Campus Technology: http://campustechnology.com/articles/2009/07/22/beyond-social-networking-building-toward-learning-communities.aspx