Communities of practice: Facebook

"Facebook" by Dave Walker.

July 5th 2007

Online social networking is a phenomenon that has drastically changed the way how people connect and socialize with each other. People interact and connect with each other from and "on" those websites. They provide a foundation in which society reacts to new ideas through the viewpoints and opinions of others; sharing ideas and stories; finding inspiration and information relative to each particular users interests, desires, and ambitions. Social networking websites make it all happen and millions of people are happier because of them.

Source: http://www.whatissocialnetworking.com/ retrieved 12-04-2009

Social networks are here to stay. Facebook has 300,000,000 registered users; Classmates has 50,000,000; and MySpace has 263,000,000 (Source:Wikipedia.com 11-27-09). However, there is another trend in social networking: more and more large companies, universities and small businesses are getting their own social websites up and running so they can connect with their employees and students; fans or customers. These smaller social networking websites offer a more personalized experience by tightly focusing on the interests of its members rather than trying to build a brand.

Social networking has made a great impact in Education, too. After all, it's an extraordinary way to be in contact with your students, keep an eye on their performance, share academic as well as extra-curricular contents and activities, increase empathy and motivation and establish a healthy, dynamic relationship teacher-students.