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 * Group A:** Workspace: 6-A-1: Social Networking and it's Importance for Successful Informal Learning

List the reasons why Group A thinks social networking is important for successful informal learning:

(Kristie A.)
 * Reason || Contributed By || Comment ||
 * As stated in the article, "Make Space for Informal Learning", informal learing is based on a few things, two of which are conversations and social interactions. A social network allows for both of those characteristics to be accomplished. || Brad B. || I think students can learn so much by talking and interacting with others. I know I have learned new information just through conversation with someone who has had different experiences than myself.

It's funny how much "space" is out there for social networking. It's intersting how often I forget to use this idea as a teacher. I think society has painted a picture of the internet doing more harm than good when it comes to our students. (Brian S.) ||
 * Something like instant messaging is a social networking communication system that allows the net generation to acquire information instantaneously. It is important because the learners are constantly accessible to one another. || Brad B. || I like this concept. Growing up everybody used aim and now that there is facebook chat no one uses it. We have a similiar chat feature with Sakai which makes talking to fellow students easy. If students were working on a project in class on a wiki or other 3D learning environment they could communicate with their classmates without even getting up out of their seats. (Will y) ||
 * Anytime you Google how to do something it's Informal Learning. I often find myself wondering what the noise from my car means or how many hours I should bike a week. Through social networks (Blogs, Wiki, Posts) all the information is out there. || Brian S. || Brian - I love your first comment about Googling. I sense that my students rely on this more and more for information. I used to get the same answers for lab discussion questions all the time because of what information in the text. Now, I get more varied responses to the same questions; my guess is because they are looking up the answers online! Karen B

It is really cool when you think about how easily we can get information on any topic with the internet. In the past people had to go to the library or seek out infomation from someone who is experienced in a certain area. This took alot of time and energy. Today we can look up any topic in on our laptops that we can take anywhere which has wireless and get in touch with others over the interest who are very expereinced in their fielf of study. It is amazing to think about how much technology has changed our world. Kristi O. ||
 * Social Networking is like On the Job Training via the Internet. When you are training on the job you are networking with people at your place of business. Through Social Networks, you can do the same thing via the internet. The ability to communicate with others about ideas is something that most of our students do all day long online. I believe it's important to help guide our students through Social Networking so they can fully understand and use Informal Learning. || Brian S. || Brian I agree that social networking is very much like on the job training. That is a great point and that is usually how people learn best! They practice their skill, discuss problems with co-workers and modify what they are doing to make it better. The Internet or social networks just broadens the scope of how many people you can discuss things with and get information!! Jennifer L. ||
 * ==== Social networking is important for successful informal learning  because it: ====

· can be a powerful tool for developing a shared understanding
|| Mary P. || Mary, the way you described social networking made me feel bad that I am not part of this technology! Your reasons why it is important have encouraged me to make an effort to branch out into this realm:-) Tara H

The point about natural connections is fantastic! It's great to know you can learn through an expereince with others. Just the other day we did some informal learning in my classroom. It was great when my students started to teach me! (Brian S)

Mary, I like your comment about paying off in the real world. There are definitely a lot of careers that have been created because of social networking. By using them in the classroom we are training are students for these careers. Good point! -Brad B. ||