This is the forum for Justin Crawford's freshman students. Justin created The LimeLounge after learning about social networks and their benefits to students in eMINTS studies and technology workshops.
We've probably all heard of social networks before, and typically, they are thought of as unhealthy for students. A social network is an online site for individuals to message, email, chat, and share resources. Social networks such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter, are mediums students are not just familiar with, in fact, they could be considered experts. Many students socialize outside of school with friends using a variety of sites such as these.
This fact alone is the benefit of using a social network with students. Students are already using sites at home to collaborate with peers. This is a way of meeting the students where they are. Mr. Crawford has seen an increase in student engagement since introducing social networking to his students and integrating it into his curriculum. He says, "Students used to come in my class and wait for me to get the class going. Now they come in before the bell rings and immediately sign in to the lounge. They're staying engaged longer and are more focused. It has improved classroom management and student involvement."
The lounge, as he and his students call it, is something Mr. Crawford has spent a great deal of time developing using an online social network called grou.ps. This site has allowed him to customize information and permissions for his students. They can add resources for each other, such as notes or websites, get assistance from the teacher or A+ tutors, and even turn in their work if they are absent. Other users can rate resources so students can evaluate the credibility or usefulness of a post. This puts students in charge of their learning and provides them with "ownership" that is sometimes needed as motivation.
The inclusion of social networking or other Web 2.0 tools into the curriculum demonstrates motivation of students to become more engaged in readings, to think critically, and therefore, to submit higher quality work. Because comments and posts are quickly published, student reflections provide for almost instant feedback. The educational tool is also a benefit to students through responses of fellow classmates. Those struggling students can identify new connections through the comments provided by others in the class.
Not only can the use of social networking incorporate learning across social, cultural, and physical barriers, but can also provide for an extended school day or expanded classroom walls. Such as in Mr. Crawford's class, students, experts, mentors, observers, and even the teacher can create posts or comments after school hours, which allows others to build upon their present knowledge through collaboration.
Students in any of Mr. Crawford's classes can communicate with others, whether they are enrolled in the same hour or not. This has enhanced another piece of the eMINTS Instructional Model, A Community of Learners. One student says, "In my own class in the beginning of school I didn't know anyone... but the LimeLounge has helped me make friends and know names better." It is common to see the students giving assistance to each other, chatting about school topics, and sharing resources in the lounge. Collaboration such as this is also identified as one of the top skills employers prefer in job applicants.
Security is something that we all are concerned with when we think about students on the Internet. Mr. Crawford's students have signed a Classroom User Policy in addition to the Joplin schools' Acceptable User Policy for computer use. This policy states what students can and can't do when using sites such as The LimeLounge in his class. Parents are aware that their students are using this site and both have been made aware of consequences of abusing privileges. Students can only be added as writers to this site with teacher or administrative approval, so outsiders cannot get in and see what the students are doing. All posts are emailed to the teacher so any inappropriate information will not be posted.
As technology advances, so does our everyday life. It has been stated that the jobs our students will have tomorrow currently don't even exist. The use of technology as a collaboration tool is something that is shaping not only our world, but also education. As one student states, "It has changed learning. I have learned about what people think from our discussions on the LimeLounge. By interacting with each other, it makes us talk, get more involved, and consider other peoples' opinions."
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