Category — Our Dear Internet
What is Instagram?
Instagram is a very unique social network. While Twitter allows its users to update what they are doing in 140 characters, Instagram uses pictures as instant updates. When one joins, they choose people to follow and in turn receive followers. What happens next is a visual experience. For every individual one follows, their images are seen upon uploading. This social network has been first promoted through iPhones, so it is somewhat limited, but the guess is that this social media platform will take off and spread beyond Apple products. Instagram aside from serving as a social network can also be used as a filtering application for any of the pictures one takes on their iPhone. Take a look at some of the samples:
August 21, 2011 No Comments
Where’s a good place for kids to get the news online?
Most newspapers now have an online presence as well as a print copy, and in some cases the online version is more popular than the print. For kids too there are many places to go for current event news where the content is tailored for a student’s level. In fact many of the big name newspaper and publishing entities also have a kids’ version. Below are five of the best.
(If you get to this page rather than the main page, click on the red door for free access.)
The Boston Globe’s Big Picture
May 11, 2011 No Comments
What is a PLN?
A PLN is a personal learning network. A person’s PLN may provide support and collaboration in real time or virtual. Being a part of a book club would be a sample of a learning network that meets regularly to discuss and share a book. Meanwhile, an online social network where books are discussed might provide a virtual PLN to an individual.
Below are four PLNs and their description. Foremost, a personal learning network helps one learn!
What is Twitter?
Twitter is a micro blog. Micro blogs are more of a broadcasting medium with much smaller blog posts–for example, only 140 characters are allowed per tweet.
By following people you find out what they are doing. It’s reciprocal; your followers learn about you as well.
When people share what they are doing, they share it because it might be valuable, resourceful, or helpful. People follow in order to benefit from what is shared.
Connections are made between like-minded people. Following is based on interests and needs.
Authorities on different subjects share their information creating a continuous contributing learning circle.
Instant information is networked providing users with a news source. Often times the information is provided by citizen journalists. Ex. @Nipp and Schiphol Twitter Story
What is Diigo?
Diigo is a social network concentrated around a user’s bookmarks which have been tagged.
You can follow what other people are bookmarking in order to learn of new web resources. Groups may also be formed.
Notes and highlights can be made either on the tagged bookmark or on the actual web page. Plus, a list of web pages may be presented in a visual slide show.
Diigo serves as an excellent search engine of evaluated web sites.
*Link here for an explanation of tagging on the Dear Librarian.
What is Classroom 2.0?
Classroom 2.0 is a Ning. Nings are private social networks focused around a certain theme or subject.
The theme of Classroom 2.0 is Web 2.0 and social media in education.
Ning actually means “peaceful” in Chinese.
By becoming a member of a Ning, you have a wall, you make friends, you can post to a blog, and you can start discussions.
Within the Ning, there are groups where you can find even more targeted areas of interest.
What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is a social network for professionals.
LinkedIn provides a place to receive professional recommendations, find jobs in your area of expertise, or connect with past, present, or future employers.
You can micro blog on LinkedIn or you can link your Twitter account–therefore your Twitter feed shows up.
February 24, 2011 2 Comments
