Researchers at the University of Minnesota have released a study that says social networks like MySpace and Facebook offer educational benefits.
The study found that low-income students are just as technologically savvy as their peers, going against what previous research has indicated.
The majority (94%) of students use the Internet, 82 percent go online at home and 77 percent have a profile on a social networking site. As for the educational benefits, the students listed technology skills first, followed by creativity and being open to new views and communication skills.
"What we found was that students using social networking sites are actually practicing the kinds of 21st century skills we want them to develop to be successful today," said Christine Greenhow, a learning technologies researcher in the university's College of Education and Human Development and principal investigator of the study.
"Students are developing a positive attitude towards using technology systems, editing and customizing content and thinking about online design and layout. The Web sites offer tremendous educational potential."
The study contradicted research from Pew in 2005 that said there was a "digital divide" among low-income students. That study found that Internet usage of teens from families earning $30,000 or less was limited to 73 percent, which is 21 percent below what the University of Minnesota research found.
"By understanding how students may be positively using these networking technologies in their daily lives and where the as yet unrecognized educational opportunities are, we can help make schools even more relevant, connected and meaningful to kids," said Greenhow.
SEO Step Six of Ten: Social MediaFacebook Basking in GloryYou Can't Just Make New Friends on Facebook!Big Expectations For MySpace MusicSocial Media Marketing StrategiesMajority Of Companies Avoiding Social MediaOne Area Where MySpace Has Facebook BeatDespite Facebook Rise, MySpace Still King What is Social Media Traffic Worth?Conflicting Futures for Social Networks
Comments
agree
great article. I completely agree with the need for social networking and how it builds a brand, a person, and understanding.
Social Networking also can found makes money
Some social networking pays its members. So you can found that to be educational, make friends and get paid. I found this site at http://r.yuwie.com/yuwietwist/. Just like myspace and facebook. Thanks
A good start in educating
A good start in educating students is to use spell check yourself.
Social bookmarking really works !!!
This could be a really nice post for those who are interested with the social bookmarking and social trading.
Knowledge sharing is good.. but
I like the social networking concept for education, but I feel that there is a danger in using social networking for educational purpose. Sharing of personal perspectives on any topic is an excellent idea, however one must not forget that perspectives are based on ones knowledge and this level of knowledge varies from person to person.
I would prefer to know if a persons level of knowledge and expertize has been verified by a third party (such as a reputable university or a recognized authority in a specific field of knowledge) before I use social networking as a means for my education.
Social Media Marketing
I think this is very true, People seem to responde to this technology, as it is both fun and education. You can learn everything from basic web site building rules to graphic design and artistic aspects through creating skins.
Allowing users to tag items with keywords also gives people a greater understanding of how SEO works to get them into the search engines.
Great Article :)
Lucy
Optymise Social Media Marketing.
Social Bookmarking.. can be devastating!
Science news reporting has become a “fast food” service, and we intend to remain a “gourmet restaurant.”
Some of this has to do with what started out to be a marvelous service, social bookmarking. Yet this has become a quality devastating game of finding what looks and sounds interesting first to score points with members. News agencies have locked in on this concept for gaining traffic.
So in order to compete, they cut the articles to serve it up fast in hopes of pulling in traffic and advertising dollars. Science reporting shouldn't be a part of this game, or better yet those that participate in these social bookmarking sites should demand quality before speed. They actually could change the face of news sites... they have that much influence on traffic.
Heidi-Ann Kennedy
Director / Scientific Frontline
THE ENTIRE INTERNET IS BEING UPGRADED! ON 07/01/08
If social networking is educational, then everyone whom is an internet user
is about to be enrolled in the premire social networking university, WEB 2.0
see this announcement
THE ENTIRE INTERNET IS BEING UPGRADED! ON 07/01/08
At no cost you can UPGRADE the ENTIRE INTERNET to Web 2.0 functionality!
The FUTURE of the Internet is about to be unleashed, join now for free This is the hottest internet opportunity since Google and Yahoo…don’t miss out!
WEB 2.0 is coming ready or not, and this is your chance to get in beforeJuly 1, 2008 for free upgrade membership.
Upgrade here now:
http://www.www2upgrade.com/todayturnstomorrow
or here: http://todayturnstomorrow.com
Let me know what you think!
I expect bettor result
Hi
This study have been showed us that internet play the mail role in education of students where they can find useful information and ebook for them's study and research...so I expect more effort from online marketers to invest on reasearch internet and apply more technice to present new infomational pruucts in this case to students...
Regards
Delija
http://delijaworld.com
Nice Post
Post new comment