Online Social Networking
• What is it? Facebook Bebo Uni Village Myspace Friendster Xanga WAYN Yahoo 360
Eduspaces Hi5
• Common features of social networking websites • Why do people use them? • Why are we interested in them?
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How Popular?
• Myspace – 3rd Most popular website in US and the 5th most popular website in any language (March 2007) • Facebook – 6th most popular website in US (February 2007). 25 Million members worldwide. Number 1 website for photos with over 6 million photos uploaded daily • According to BBC News, Facebook is the second most important thing in the life of students in the US, second only to Beer.
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Advantages • Can be integrated with WebCT and Media Wiki • Blogs, podcasts rss feeds • Can be customised to give it an Oxford Brookes „feel‟ • Current online group work through webct could be enhanced
Disadvantages • Every student would have to create their own profile • Not as visually appealing as Facebook
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Second Life
What is second life? • An online virtual world in which anything is possible? • “A space for social and technological experimentation” Who uses second life?
• • • • • •
Politicians Musicians Artists Designers Educators Marketers - Coca cola, Toyota and Adidas recently launched products in second life (epn, 2006)
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Texas State University Virtual campus
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How can this technology be used to enhance learning? Online group work Distance learning
24/7 learning environment
Attend/conduct lectures without leaving the house Supplement lectures/seminars
Create a stronger community
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