Ning is a social networking platform that allows educators to create private networks for students. It provides many of the collaborative features of Facebook but within a closed group that teachers control. Ning networks can be used as discussion forums, to share videos, photos and blogs. Unlike public social media sites, teachers manage the content and features on Ning to create a safer, more focused environment for classroom use. The document provides examples of how teachers have used Ning networks for communicating class notes, extending discussions beyond the classroom, and facilitating project-based learning among students.

1. Facebook-ish, Without the Headachesandrew.taylor@gpschools.org bit.ly/ayHtmW

2. Capture the benefits of social networking tools like Facebook without worrying about privacy and appropriateness. Ning is a free, closed-group social network that you can set up easily just for your students. Learn how to use it as a discussion forum, blog, and video and photo-sharing tool.

8. Ning is a social networking site akin to Facebook and Myspace.You can tap the interactivity of those tools but keep it entirely under your control.Manageable for the classroom experienceFacilitates communication among membersStudents already have the experience necessary to begin use immediately

9. Interface locked down, clutteredUsers decide what features to addPrivacy is a concern if poorly usedNo clear purposeCleaner, less hectic interfaceSite administrator controls everythingMultiple security optionsDeveloped around a focus, purpose

10. Facebook vs. Ning

12. Gina BianchiniNing CEO

15. Don TapscottAuthor, ‘Grown Up Digital’

17. WHAT MAKES SOCIAL NETWORKING EDUCATIONAL?“It's a fantastic tool for extendingclass discussions beyond the constraints of class time. In addition, it offers a venue for students who are sometimes reluctant to participate in class to hear their voices heard.”

20. What kind of Ningsare out there already?

29. CLASSROOM USESWhat do students think?“Some like it, others don't. I think one of the problems is they want social networking to be free of school- it is their separate world. That is just my take, though.”

38. It could be worseMr. President

39. START WITHA SINGLE PROJECT

41. Boo Radley meets the 21st Century

43. CLASS WEB SITESA teacher says:“They like the fact that they can review class notes.”

54. Creating An Account

55. Name, e-mail, free

56. PrivacyYou decide who to allow in

59. AppearanceTemplates, or HTML control

61. FeaturesYou decide what to activate

70. Help is on the way

72. How to have the ads removedSign in to the Ning Help Center first.Click the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page.The "Ask Our Team a Question" form then appears.In the first field (“I have a question about”) select “a network that I have created.”A new field with a pull down menu will appear (“I specifically want to know”) and you should choose “General Question.”A window will appear where you need to choose a specific topic. Please choose “other” at the end of the list.In the “Network URL” field please give the network address of the educational network you are asking Ning to make ad-free.In the message portion of the ticket, please specifically write that you are requesting an ad-free network for education.

77. Management ResourcesAcceptable Use PolicyGrading Online Discussions

80. Let the students mix it upThe Shining

81. START WITH A PLAN

86. Teachers say: Ways to start“To provide a location - accessible to my students only - for class resources.”“Announcements, notes, assignments”“My original goal was to use it as both a place to post assignments and to create a space where students could talk about course content outside of class.”

88. The secret’s out

89. ResourcesSetting up a Ning site: Joshua Fenton, Inland Area Writing ProjectSocial Networking Made Easy with Ning, Karen Huffman, 2009 Computers in LibrariesCreate Your Own Social Network with Ning, Bethany Smith, transparentlearning.blogspot.comImage credits: Gate, Bee, Bees, Tightrope, Guinea Pigs

90. Facebook-ish, Without the Headachesandrew.taylor@gpschools.org bit.ly/ayHtmW