Social networking provides teachers opportunities for ongoing professional development to meet the needs of today's digital students. Through social networks like Edutopia Community Groups and Classroom 2.0, teachers can access multimedia resources, receive support from other educators, and learn about innovative teaching strategies. While effective technology integration takes time and commitment, social networking gives teachers the tools and community needed to provide students with an education that prepares them for success.

1. Using Social Networking
to Inspire
Teaching with Technology
Sonya Ortiz Castro
Lamar University

2. A New Student
According to Mark Prensky (2001), today’s students, as
he refers to as “digital natives”, are not the same
students our educational system was designed to teach.
Digital natives…
• have grown up surrounded by technology
• desire instant access & gratification
• have multi-tasking abilities
• are visual learners
• are “networked”

3. New Expectations
Findings show that students desire more technology
integration from schools (Levin & Arefeh, 2002) such as…
use of online quality access
tools to teach to online
concepts resources
relevant and prioritizing
compelling Internet
online literacy and
assignments computer skills

4. A New Teacher
Today’s teachers must be skilled at
providing effective technology
integration and will need …
• a vision of technology’s potential
for student learning
• on-going training and support
• time to experiment
• the flexibility and risk-taking
attitude to learn and apply skills
(Office of Technology Assessment, 1995)

5. Continuing Education
“People learn best through active involvement and
through thinking about and becoming articulate about
what they have learned.” (Lieberman, 1995)
Teachers need…
• support
• a personal commitment
• continuous feedback
• opportunities to share
• practice

6. The Process of
Change
Ongoing Effective
Teacher Time to
Professional Support & Teaching
Commitment Practice &
Development Continuous with
& Vision Experiment
Feedback Technology

7. Expanding Teacher Support
The Internet has made
it easy for teachers to
connect with
colleagues from
around the world
through
social networking.

8. Impact of Social Networking
Social networking, the online connection between a vast
group of people from around the world, has opened a
gateway for teachers to access and pursue professional
development opportunities to help them meet the
changing needs of their students.

9. Community Groups
A social network that brings together an array of innovative
individuals invested in improving education.
Can help teachers…
• learn how other teachers are
integrating technology
• articulate challenges & solutions
• receive tips and inspiration
• network with other like-minded
educators around the world
• monitor progress through collaboration
and continuous feedback

10. Classroom 2.0
A social network, hosted by Ning, that provides an
environment for educators to explore Web 2.0 and
collaborative technologies to improve learning.
Allows teachers to…
view live webcasts articulate ideas in
a forum
attend virtual
conferences learn about new
technologies
network with
educators around share and view
the world member videos

11. Differences
Edutopia Community Groups Classroom 2.0
• located within Edutopia.com • located as own website
• multimedia resources within • multimedia resources located
Edutopia.com within website
• communication through • communication through
discussion forums forums, live chats, webcasts
• members can link to personal • members can upload videos on
videos to the website
• information driven • interactivity driven
• showcases innovative • provides webinars, workshops
teaching and other live events
• members link resources • separate webpage devoted to
sharing links on diigo

12. All the Right Tools
Through the power of the Internet, today’s
teachers are surrounded by tools to assist
them. Teachers have instant access to …
innovative online
multimedia
ideas collaboration
resources
other ongoing
educators support
continuous professional
feedback development

13. Commitment
Effective integration of technology
to improve student learning
takes time and dedication.
Teachers will need to commit to
using all resources they have
access to in order to provide the
education that will prepare our
“digital natives” for success.

14. References
George Lucas Educational Foundation. (2011). Edutopia
Community Groups. Edutopia. Retrieved from
http://edutopia.org/groups
Hargadon, S. (2007). Classroom 2.0. Retrieved from
http://www.classroom20.com/
Levin, D. & Arafeh, S. (2002). The digital disconnect. The
widening gap between internet-savvy students and their
schools. Pew Internet and Life Project. Retrieved from
http://pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2002/PIP_Sch
ools_Internet_Report.pdf.pdf.
Lieberman, A. (1995). Practices that support teacher
development. Phi Delta Kappan, 76, 591-596.

15. References continued…
Office of Technology Assessment. (1995). Teachers and
technology: Making the connection. Washington, D.C.: U.S.
Government Printing Office.
Prensky, M., (2001). Digital native, digital immigrants. On the
Horizon. 9 (5), 1-6.