Why Ning? It works!



I'm speaking today at the MSET Spring Business meeting at Maryland Public television: Dr. Judith Tomeldson asked me to "show the Ning, go over social networking, demo the 6 groups, lead a discussion on the benefits of social networking? Puppets, dancing bears, ponies, whatever you would like"
(she's a doll!) Of course I was like, Sure!

How this all started: a few months ago i made a mistake. (just kidding!) I got all hepped up excited still about the NECC DC conference, going transparent, being recruited by the "Geek Tribe" and I contacted good friend and Making it Happen Diva Mrs. Julie Wray and suggested that we start a Ning for our Maryland ISTE affiliate MSET....and add a digital sandbox (also called a Bloggers' Cafe or Learning Commons) to the MSET conference and Julie said
...GREAT IDEA! Do it!
Doh! LOL

She's also one of the people on this earth i just can't seem to say no to.... That adorable and talented former MSET President Julie Wray! [shakes fist in mock anger]
I got the go ahead and flash forward 5 months we've got an impressive 269 members!



OF course i was bummed when Ning declared they're going pay. We've all been so spoiled by the free interwebs. But this is one service that IMHO is worth it! And i'm not alone!


Why re-create the wheel? Why rebuild a whole social network from the ground up when there's one already done and flexible and reliable?

Building a Social Network creates a positive web presence for any organization. It allows educators to create a positive digital footprint for themselves before they venture out into the read-write wiki sticky web. Some educators don't want to mix their social Facebook with their professional life. I know i don't! I was a punk rocker chick in High School and frankly all my Eleanor Roosevelt HS friends think it's a HOOT that i ended up a teacher-librarian.

I don't like it when my worlds collide.

But a Ning provides that important personal learning network and component that spans the state of Maryland and conference to conference.... to let the relationships that were made at the MSET yearly conference continue and grow throughout the school year. To provide resources and continuity to educators who may be isolated due to position or location. For the Maryland western mountain technology educator to connect with the eastern shore professional - to connect ideas, lesson plans, videos and yes....classrooms! This has to be an important step to bringing us all together!

and it's worth paying for.

Resources:
Sue Waters: PLN Yourself Wiki
2010 - the year of the Personal Learning Network?
Build your personal learning network with Twitter, Ning and Delicious

MSET Ning and Social Network Presence
View more presentations from gwyneth jones.


IS Facebook blocked in your school? Particpate in the What is blocked Google Map created by Will Richardson


View What do you block? in a larger map

131,619 views - Public
Created on Apr 20 - Updated < src="http://www.doodle.com/summary.html?pollId=ntptw5qazgz28nvn" frameborder="0" height="250" width="300">

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Makerspace for Little or Nothing

Image
Makerspace for Little or Nothing You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to start a Makerspace area. You don't have to have a designated room or rip out bookcases. You can even have a Makerspace on a cart! When we have testing in our Library, I put all our Makerspace stuff on an AV cart and roll it into our server room.  This post evolved from a previous post called Makerspace Starter Kit Updated where I had some of these idea, but I felt that it deserved it's own expanded post. You can take baby steps into the Maker Movement.  I've been saying that for 7 years or so....long before I blogged about it, I tried it out. Yeah, sometimes I try things on the sly to see if they are blogworthy for you! Now....having said that..... WARNING: Controversial Opinion Ahead.  I'm not 100% sold, even after 7 years of talking about the Maker Movement, that it's something that's here to stay and not just a fad. Even though I've (without knowing it!)...
Keep reading

Makerspace Starter Kit Updated

Image
Three years ago I shared my Makerspace Starter Kit with you or what I was buying to boost our Makerspace area using four empty Library study carrels that no longer held desktop Macs.  That post has consistently been one of the most viewed posts every week for years and years - with more than 83 THOUSAND views, gee whiz! (Crazy, right?) So, I thought maybe it was time to update it!*  Since then, I've had some major Makerspace successes and a couple dismal (and expensive) Makerspace failures!  So, here's the latest for ya'll with the good, the bad, and the bloody awful! Our MHMS Makerspace How it works: Kids can come in before the 1st period late bell rings, during lunch, or when they've finished their work in class to explore, craft, and create in the Library Media Center. It's not a "class" or an organized offering. It's a free form optional offering of constructivist learning and creativity! It's not as big as some and it hasn't tak...
Keep reading

Curating the Happy for Your Future Self

Image
Teacher Tip #112 Teacher Self-Care:  Create a Happy Folder In my School Library Media office desk I had a manilla folder where I carefully tucked all the hand written notes from kiddos & parents to read on a rainy day. I also SHAMELESSLY would first tape them to my office door (let the other teachers internally writhe with envy!)  Nah, really just to keep me motivated and also show the kiddos I appreciated their heartfelt little notes!  But.....before I tucked it away tenderly or taped it to my door, I took a picture of it and uploaded it to Flickr. A digital Happy Folder that pays back dividends of warm fuzzies and motivations for your future self.  Because, let's not kid ourselves, being an educator right now is HARD.  Start this habit NOW.  Don't be like me and wait 10 or 15 years. OK, some of that was because cell phones and digital cameras weren't as handy and as ubiquitous back then. But do your future self a favor, there will be days w...
Keep reading