Elements of online social networks

Which most effectively cultivate digital literacy skills

I. Profile or Portfolio

= establishing one’s identity within the space of the network

One can develop digital literacy skills in the context of their own unique understanding and presentation of themselves

Serve as the primary means for an individual to navigate through the site = a personal library

Creative tools for identity expressionJust as a writer can develop a more complex

and meaningful story with a greater vocabulary, an online networker can create a more meaningful and expressive profile with a greater range of tools wallpapers, accessibility to music, photos,

video, graffiti or drawing tools

II. Video/ Photo Sharing

An image speaks a thousand words: A photo or a video can reveal the realities of a place or circumstance

instantly Further engages a participant aurally, visually, and viscerally

Ability to transcend time and space Accessibility to cameras

consumer video and digital cameras, integrated cameras in computers and mobile phones

the capabilities of engaging in digital images is increasingly accessible

All the albums in my network accessible here

Responses Tags Ownership Link to owner’s

profile

III. Groups, Projects, Causes = modeled after TIG’s

I would have: “Groups” allow more freedom in content & expression

which could allow bonding on different levels “Projects” & “Causes” more focused on social issues

and especially the projects at hand Presented as on the TIG main network

Separate but referred to as a “Related Tool”, connected by 1-click

IV. Social Tagging & Bookmarking =

Useful tool for sharing web researchIncluding knowing what organizations are

doing whatServes the same purpose as hyperlinks yet

allows those links to remain in one space and accessible to all users at all times

V. Some kind of polling/voting tool attached to tags

Related to topics most visited A way for the youth themselves to further create this

network by deciding which applications they want the most Democratically decide which activities or projects are most

popular To consolidate ideas and move forward on the elected

ones

VI. Geographical tool

Useful for project purposes Ex: make marks where food insecurity is an issue and

where there have been efforts made to improve food security

Keep it simple With ability to click on countries’ and then cities’

portals

Where I want to go

Where Ihavelived

Idea: Ability to put tags on geographical spots if someone reads a news report on a hot spot in the

world for an issue on which they are working, they can link it to that spot on a map

VI. News feeds

actual news updates through RSS feeds recommended by your contacts

new updates to projects to keep up with those in your network changes and progress made

Closing Thoughts

Keep it: simple focused creative fun & positive

While allowing room for constructive criticism and downsides as well