Social Media
Humans are social beings by nature. It only makes sense that this translates over into the tools we use the most. Through the internet we are able to connect, or reconnect with friends, relatives, co-workers and a vast majority of people who both share our ideas and beliefs and may argue these ideas and beliefs as well.
The social media tools available are only as good as the user makes them. B.L. Ochman (2009) wrote an article debunking some of the myths of social media in the article. http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/feb2009/tc20090218_335887.htm Through each of the six myths presented, Ochman talks about how some successful businesses have used these tools but also cautions that the large success is rare. As a marketing tool, the possibilities seem endless it is up to the individual business owner to devise a plan to use these tools and implement them in a way that is best suited for that business.
Moving this media and these tools into the classroom poses the same advantages and disadvantages. Moving away from the social networking sites students use everyday such as Facebook or Myspace, how can this format be used as a learning tool? A god example is Livemocha. www.livemocha.com This is a social media network with tutors and learners in order to study foreign languages. Livemocha is a direct learning social network. There are also collaboration tools such as BoJam for music and sites designed to present contact and gain feedback through forums.
Jacob Morgan (2009) sums it up well in his posting Social Media Education, How? http://www.socialmediatoday.com/SMC/72784. Morgan acknowledges the tools available and that more are being created and changed daily. The issue is how do we train our students or co-workers in using these tools wisely and effectively. This new way of collaborating and interacting is a dynamic tool, we need to learn how to harness it and take advantage of the positive aspects while trying to minimize negative effects.
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