Journal #2

This article “Social Networking for the K-12 set” by Jim Klein emphasizes the importance of technological use in education. The SUSD teacher and student community sites aimed to provide the tools and resources educators and students need to improve communication, collaboration, learning and growth not only among themselves, but with the community at large. Three staff members incorporated all of these ideas and designed the project, and so far it has been successful. As teachers and students become more familiar with the project they find new ways to use it. This technological source is very well controlled by staff, and secure. Only people that are part of the community can edit its contents, and if students edit or post anything it has to be revised and approved by a teacher. Currently teachers and students are using this site for things such as regular newsletters, updates, announcements, file sharing, and much more. The site has been successful in accomplishing its initial goal: to improve communication, and establish a sense of community.

How can this network be used for a student who is in the second grade?
Students as young as second grade are already using this network by posting podcasting and writing project. Although, they might not be as involved as older students, they are being introduced to this new network. Also, the parents can be part of the community and get involved through this site.
As an educator how would it benefit me to use this network?
I strongly believe that it would facilitate communication between teachers, parents and students. Instead of printing newsletter, announcements, and handouts I could post all this information on the site. Students could work on group projects from their home, and share each others work. This networking is also great for parents who have jobs without flexibility; they can become more involved through this network, and communicate with the teachers.