Thing 11

Review the widget you selected. Are you getting comfortable with embedding code? Do you belong to other online communities? Are relationships formed online as meaningful as face-to-face relationships? Why do you think MySpace and other social networking sites are so popular with kids today? Have you formed a professional learning network -- your online contacts that contribute to your professional learning?


I selected a survey poll and asked a question we are currently researching at my school.  I have used zoomerang in the past so I had some familiarity in this area.  I did struggle at first with getting the widget to embed.  I think it was more in creating the poll I wanted to use, rather than the embedding process itself.  I use Facebook on a daily basis, but I don't find myself building meaningful relationships through the network.  That is probably due to the way I use the network which is mostly to post family pictures and keep in touch with old fiends who now live out of town.  I don't know if I could build a relationship from scratch using this tool.  I think kids like social networks because they can interact with many friends at the same time, while playing games, doing homework, sharing pictures, etc.  I think it allows them to stay connected to one another after the school day is over.  I know these are some of the reasons my two kids enjoy Facebook.  I have not formed a professional learning network, but I do participate in MASSP's network.  I do see the benefit and I can see myself starting one in the future for my building.