Week 3: Social Networking Tools (July 7-13)

Welcome to the week 3 of Web 2.0: Introduction to Second Generation Web Tools.

In this week’s assignment, you will be introduced to a number of social networking tools. Social networking sites are online communities where people can connect with their friends, family and colleagues and discover other people who have similar interests. Often social networking sites have features that allow users to interact with each other through photo sharing, chat, and email. Popular social networking sites include Facebook, Linkedin, and MySpace. Note: MySpace is blocked at National Jewish so you will need to access from home. To learn more about Social Network sites view this video from Lee LeFever from commoncraft on YouTube:

Reading Exercises

• MySpace, Facebook and Other Social Networking Sites: Hot Today, Gone Tomorrow?
• Can social networking co-exist with the workplace – CNET.com
  
• I’m linked, faced and spaced – Al Lewis – Columnist, The Denver Post
• Educational Benefits of Social Networking Sites Uncovered – ScienceDaily.com

Discovery Exercise 1: Facebook

Step by Step Instructions

1. Signing up: Go to Facebook and in the middle right of the screen you will see the “Sign Up” section. Fill out the form and respond to the e-mail conformation to get started. One note about Facebook registration. Facebook asks you many personal questions such as Age, Marital Status, Religion, etc. As with many Web 2.0 applications you do not have to answer any questions you are not comfortable answering. You do not even need to use your real name. Please answer only the questions that meet your comfort level.
2. Making Friends: Locate the Friends menu in the tool bar at the top of the page. From there you can find and invite friends. Try searching for other course participants, course administrators, or you can try friends or family members.
3. To write on your friends wall, view their profile and look for The Wall. Write a short message and post it.
4. Find a Group to join. Browse groups or create your own. We have started a National Jewish group. You need to search for our whole name.
5. Search for and add an “Application” to your profile. From the left navigation select Applications. The on the right you will see the option to Browse More Applications.
   
   1. Search for, evaluate, and possibly add, another application. Suggestions:
      
      1. SciBook – Social Networking for Life Scientists (search members for immunology)
         
      2. Fit-ify Exercise and Health Tracker
         

Discovery Exercise 2: Linkedin

Step by Step Instructions

1. Create an Account: Go to Linkedin. In the middle of the page near the bottom look for the Join Now button. Fill out the form and select Join Linkedin. You can then set your preferences. You will be asked to confirm your e-mail address.
2. Build Your Network: In the left navigation bar there is an option to Add Connections. Type in the name and address of three colleagues and send them an invitation to join your network. Search for National Jewish to find colleagues.

Discovery Exercise 3: Social Networking Sites

Explore more Sites

1. List of social networking websites from Wikipedia.
2. Denver Public Library eVolver – This is a MySpace site so you will need to look at it off campus.
3. NurseConnect - An online nursing community and networking site for nurses and other healthcare professionals.
4. NatureNetwork - Professional networking website for scientists around the world. See also a BMJ review of the site.

Discovery Exercise 4: Blogging Assignment:
Create an entry in your course blog for Week 3: Social Networking Tools. Blog about your impressions and experiences with social networking. You may want to consider some or all of the following questions. Remember to submit your latest post with the activity tracking report.

• How can social networking be used by National Jewish to make professional connections?
• Should you have a Facebook, MySpace or Linkedin page?
• Are there privacy concerns for individuals when using social networking sites?
• What did you like or not like about your experience with Facebook?

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Tags: social_networking, social_networks