[Web4lib] StopThePresses: Major New Report on Online Educational Networking

[Gerry Mckiernan]

Colleagues/

Cancel All Your Appointments Today and Read This  Report![:->
And
Consider the Implications and Ramifications (Before It's Too Late)
[:-)

/Gerry 

*****************************************************************************

More Teens and 'Tweens Are Creating Content and Connecting Online for
Educational Benefits

Offering Schools New Opportunities to Use Technology Reports New
National School Boards Association Study

Alexandria, VA - August 14 - A new study released today by the National
School Boards Association and Grunwald Associates LLC exploring the
online behaviors of U.S. teens and *tweens shows that 96 percent of
students with online access use social networking technologies, such as
chatting, text messaging, blogging, and visiting online communities such
as Facebook, MySpace, and Webkinz. Further, students report that one of
the most common topics of conversation on the social networking scene is
education.

Nearly 60 percent of online students report discussing
education-related topics such as college or college planning, learning
outside of school, and careers. And 50 percent of online students say
they talk specifically about schoolwork.

[snip]

Students report they are engaging in highly creative activities on
social networking internet sites including writing, art, and
contributing to collaborative online projects whether or not these
activities are related to schoolwork. [snip]

Today, students report that they are spending almost as much time using
social networking services and Web sites as they spend watching
television

[snip]

In the future, schools that incorporate social networking tools in
education can help engage kids and move them toward the center of the
learning process.*

[snip]

The report, *Creating & Connecting: Research and Guidelines on Online
Social and Educational Networking,* is based on three surveys: an
online survey of nearly 1,300 9- to 17-year-olds, an online survey of
more than 1,000 parents, and telephone interviews with 250 school
districts leaders who make decisions on Internet policy.

The study was carried out with support from Microsoft, News
Corporation, and Verizon, and does not necessarily represent the views
of the underwriters.

Further details and a link to the full-text of the report is available
at 

[
http://onlinesocialnetworks.blogspot.com/2007/09/creating-connecting-research-and.html
]

/Gerry