The document discusses the use of social networking and social media by educators and schools. It defines social networking as interaction between groups sharing interests, and social media as user-generated content and conversations. Examples of social media applications that can be used for communication, professional growth, and public relations are given, including Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Ning. Guidelines are provided for appropriate educational use of social media through professionalism, policy, and maintaining a positive digital footprint.

1. Exploring Best Practices in Social Networking Eric Sheninger Principal New Milford HS Ericsheninger.com

4. Show of Hands

5. Did You Know? Shift Happens http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ILQrUrEWe8

6. What is Social Networking? The interaction between a group of people who share a common interest (en.wiktionary.org/wiki/social_networking)

7. What is social media? A category of sites that is based on user participation and user-generated content (searchenginewatch.com/define) Software tools that allow groups to generate content and engage in peer-to-peer conversations and exchange of content (www.bottlepr.co.uk/glossary.html)

9. Multi-Dimensional Involve Create Discuss Promote Measure http://www.commoncraft.com/socialmedia

10. Social Networking Applications Twitter Ning YouTube LinkedIn FaceBook Blogs

11. Microblogging Short messages known as “tweets” Link to cell phone http://www.commoncraft.com/twitter

13. Why Educators Should Use Twitter Improve instruction - Global collaboration - Sharing of resources - Discussion/Knowledge acquisition - Professional growth (PLN) http://twitter.com/NMHS_Principal

17. Why Schools/Universities Should Use Twitter Communication Events Meetings School closings Student honors Live scores/updates Campus weather News/RSS feeds Emergency information

18. Marketing Student recruitment Monitoring conversations referencing your school

19. http://twitter.com/NewMilfordHS

22. Create a channel just for your school Share school accomplishments Showcase student work, events, athletics http://www.youtube.com/NMHSPrincipal For videos larger than 10 minutes, use Vimeo (also free)

23. Communicate with students, alumni, parents Recruitment Group tools (i.e. schools/universities can include many offices Fan pages (video, wall posts, analytics) Showcase student/faculty work Connecting current to incoming students Facebook Office Hours

25. http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Milford-High-School/114382501908040

26. Platform for creating your own social network Very easy to use Can add videos, photos, news, forums, events, groups, etc. Customizable site Each member that joins has a customizable profile page Can be made private or public

27. Nings for Learning

28. http://www.classroom20.com/

29. http://edupln.ning.com/

30. World’s largest professional network (over 55 million strong) Build a network of trusted contacts to share ideas, exchange knowledge, and create opportunities. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzT3JVUGUzM http://www.linkedin.com/in/esheninger

31. Blogs

32. Esheninger.blogspot.com

33. Best Practices for Educators/Schools Keep it professional Remember your role within the school community Think before you post to the internet Digital footprint Policy Development

34. Why You Should Use Social Media Communication Public Relations Professional Growth Branding Opportunity