Social+Networking+for+Education

While Social Networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are not appropriate (or legal) for elementary age students, it is important that schools teach students how to responsibly utilize these types of sites early. Most students do not realize that they are leaving a digital footprint that can haunt them later in life.

There are several social networking sites developed for educators.
 * [|Diipo] - for students 13 and over
 * [|Edmodo]
 * [|Twiducate]

These networks allow teachers to maintain control of the environment while still giving the students to practice important social networking skills. Yet, educators can not teach these skills in isolation. These networks must also serve some curricular function.

At our school we have begun to utilize Edmodo to increase student engagement in literature circle discussions and help the teacher to assess student understanding of their novel.