Navigating Social Networks as Learning Tools

 Richardson expresses that we now live in a world where individuals have the incredible ability to learn anytime and anywhere as long as they have access to the Internet. Individuals are creating their own virtual global classrooms based on their own interests and passions. He sites the example of Nelson Smith, a twelve year old boy's frustration with not being able to start a fire in the woods. Because of this new global technological world, Nelson had the capability to seek out answers and knowledge, by first video recording his efforts, and then posting the video onto YouTube and asking the worldwide web community for help. Richardson states, "In this global community, we are at once all teachers and learners" (Richardson, pg. 287).

However, this new technological world has many challenges, especially for educators. Educators need to achieve a better understanding of network literacies. In other words, they need to be proficient with a variety of tools to use in interactive online environments.

Richardson continues to say that today's kids are already social networking and publishing online via Facebook or Myspace. However, the most disturbing news about this is that no one is teaching them how to "create, navigate, and grow these powerful personal learning networks in safe, effective, and ethical ways"( Richardson, pg. 287). He continues to state that the majority of kids are using these technological tools as "friendship based" ways to communicate with family and friends or people that are familiar to them. However, there are some kids that are starting to use this technology as "interest based", such as Nelson Smith.

Another interesting aspect of this new technological world is that it creates a paradox in that learning is more individualized but at the same time more social because of the networking and connections individuals will build. 

The connections that individuals make after publishing is very important and that is what they are trying to accomplish in this new technological world. In order to make connections, we need to share what we know, and we want others to interact and comment on the subjects that we share. We want to be known and want to be recognized within the world wide web community.

Educators have the very difficult task of being the first to model this new technology to their students. However, these new forms of technology are difficult for many educators to comprehend and there are many obstacles in the way for them to accomplish such online knowledge. Making technology a part of daily practice means that we need to "replace old habits of practice with newer, more interactive, and collaborative ones" (Richardson, pg. 298). Richardson also states, "teachers and learners must immerse themselves in these networked environments over the long term, and they need educational leaders to be there with them" (Richardson, pg. 301). In truth, this learning network of anywhere/ anytime will be very difficult to accomplish, but must be initiated right now in order to prepare students to compete successfully in this technological world.

After reading this chapter, I definitely relate to the fact that this new technology is not easy to comprehend and that there will be many challenges for educators. I like how Richardson stated, "For educators the current challenge is how best to bring this new literacy to students....that challenge is not so much about schools, curricula, or systems as it is about ourselves and our own abilities to connect and learn in these ways" (Richardson, pg. 296).

I would like to learn more about the linkability aspect of sharing information on the web and the ways I can make sure that my identity is safe when I publish something on the Internet.