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Elgg in K12 - A Dialog about Educational Networking

by Jim KleinDirector IS & TSaugus Union School District

Why Social Networking in K12?

• People are creative and social• Approachable, easy to use technology• New opportunities for teaching/learning• Overcome social/geographic boundaries• Gives voice/builds self-esteem• Improves social skills• Most importantly...

Why Social Networking in K12?

Students are already engaged!

96% of students age 9-17 use social networking technologies

Source: Grunwald Associates LLC

K­12 Applications

• Staff– Communities of Practice/PLNs– Admin/mgmt blogs and podcasts– Departmental announcements– Collaborative projects– Media/content sharing

K­12 Applications

• Students– Individual & collaborative projects– Peer review– Media/content sharing– Student portfolios– Window into the classroom

K12 Social Networking 

• What teachers don't want– Content on a wide-open site– A site with too many members– To be associated with someone else's

objectionable content– “Dirty laundry”

K12 Social Networking

• What teachers want– Site that's easy to find– Associated with their school/district– Includes people they know or feel a semi-direct

association with– Customizable, ie their space– Provides sophisticated access controls– Complete oversight of student work

Demo/Discussion

Impact

• Changes the way knowledge is developed, shared, and adapted

• Overcomes social and geographic boundaries

• Creates a culture of open collaboration• Builds a portfolio of ideas and content• Active student engagement• Unintended consequences

Considerations

• Social– Online safety– Behavior/language

• Technical– Management– Oversight– Maintenance of accounts