What is a social network?
"Information exchanges, whether face-to-face or computer-mediated, are more than individual human–computer interactions. They are social interactions. The nature of information exchanges is constrained by the types of relationships people have as well as the types of media available, the kinds of information to be exchanged, and the norms that are in operation. When a computer network connects people (or organizations), it is also a social network. The social nature of information exchange suggests that it is an issue of "media use" rather than an issue of individually-chosen "media choice.""[Work, Friendship, and Media Use for Information
Exchange in a Networked Organization. Caroline Haythornthwaite, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois, and Barry Wellman,
Centre for Urban and Community Studies, University of Toronto]
EDUCAUSE has several examples of social networking services and how they might fit your pedagogy.
To learn how we can support you in incorporating social networking services into your curriculum, department, etc., contact Munindra Khaund [munindra.khaund@uis.edu].
Examples of ITS Social Networking Projects
Facebook @ ITS
"Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Millions of people use Facebook everyday to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet." Learn more about Facebook
Flickr @ ITS
"Flickr is a way to get your photos and videos to the people who matter to you. And since basic accounts are free, there's no reason not to explore further..." Learn more about Flickr
- Digital Storytelling in Five Frames
The ISAT team undertook a project wherein each member had to tell a story about their work in five frames [a frame is a photograph]. Each member took a different approach to the project and the resulting frames are digital stories in themselves.
This Flickr project has restricted access. If you wish to learn more about the project, please contact Munindra Khaund [munindra.khaund@uis.edu].
- Dickson Mounds Museum [from Munindra's photostream]
Google Maps @ ITS
"Google Maps is a Google service offering powerful, user-friendly mapping technology and local business information -- including business locations, contact information, and driving directions." Learn more about Google Maps
Ning @ ITS
"Ning is a platform for creating your own social network. Our passion is putting new social networks in the hands of anyone with a good idea." Learn more about Ning
Twitter @ ITS
"Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?" Learn more about Twitter
Social Networking Workshops
The ITS Instructional Support and Training [ISAT] team offers several social networking workshops for faculty, students, and staff. The following are two of the several social networking workshops being offered.
Social Networking: To Twitter and Beyond
This workshop is organized in two sections --
1) Introduction to Twitter, and
2) Twitter as an education and communication tool.You can attend both sections, or only section #2 if you have a Twitter account, have been tweeting, want to explore the possibilities of Twitter.
1) Introduction to Twitter
- What is Twitter?
- Create an account.
- Setup your profile settings.
- Find friends/colleagues/others on Twitter.
2) Twitter as an education and communication tool
In this section, we will showcase the use of Twitter on two occasions --
- The first occasion will be a speaker presentation at a local event.
- The second will be an unfolding event approximately 8000 miles away from Central Illinois.
Video: "Evan Williams: How Twitter's spectacular growth is being driven by unexpected uses". Source: TED: Ideas Worth Spreading
Social Networking: Facebook Pages, Events and Viral Marketing
This intermediate workshop is designed to help you use Facebook to network with colleagues, promote events, and more. In this workshop, we will learn to:
- create more detailed events on Facebook and attract more participants
- create Facebook Pages for your department, business, or project
- create ads on Facebook for your Facebook Page and events
Note: You need not have attended the 'Social Networking: Introduction to Facebook' workshop, but you have to create a Facebook account [if you have not already done so] in preparation for this workshop.
Please visit our workshops page for additional workshop offered by the ISAT team. If you have any questions or comments, contact Munindra Khaund [munindra.khaund@uis.edu].
