-Social Networking-

Social Networking is all about keeping in touch with those closest to you. However you may do that is completely up to you. Incorporate videos, photos, links etc. You make it a site that is personal, but creative by allowing the use of as many tools out there that you can think of. For instance, I have a blog, and I incorporate photos and videos that reflect what Im currently working on, but I also list links to some funny articles that I find through my aggregator. Its a network, meaning it has multiple branches of resources, use them.

Keep in mind when viewing the sites that are under "Social Networking" there are multiple reasons for them being here. You have to think outside the box and realize that all of these sites can be used for much more than what they say on the site. Social learning and networking is all about combining your resources and finding new ways to communicate using these sites. Also, listed below may not be all of the possible sites that could fall under "Social Networking", but here a few to get you able to see how they can be used for such a purpose.

Example: Twitter is a way to keep in touch with family and friends, even co-workers. So that fact in itself, makes Twitter a social networking site.

Refer to Articles section for more ideas and viewpoints on how other people have used these sites

Facebook

Myspace

LinkedIn

Classmates

Wikispace

Second Life

Ning

Twitter

Activities

Ahh Facebook and Myspace! Everyone is atleast familiar with them, if not, already have their own pages on each probably. The standard way of seeing these 2 sites are that Myspace is open to everyone and ranges widely in its users, tyically the younger crowd. Whereas Facebook is mroe of the older crowd, and has a few more restrictions to have an acocunt. Both are incredibly popular. Now with that said, sites like LinkedIn are the exact same except seem to be with a slightly older crowd, and involves certain tools that make the site geared towards selling yourself and your skills, to find employment. If you haven't heard of LinkedIn and are in college I would strongly recommend creating an account. It works just like facebook and myspace, except meant to be very proffessional for job seekers. Start getting connected today, I use it myself.

Try creating an account on Twitter and following a friend or a company that you like. Eventually you'll start to grasp the sense of what Twitter is and begin to follow more and more people. You'll recieve emails when other users decided to follow you so you know when people are your friends on Twitter. Creating an account takes 2 minutes so get started today! Join the Twitter atmosphere that so many people love, and those that dont may not really understand what it is. So try it out for yourself!

Second Life. Its a virtual world that allows you to be anyone you want and interact with your friends in a fully englufed virtual world. Some say its just a game, others say its more of a social network. Its both. Try and create an account and its great way to get connected.

Articles

Check out these articles to give you an idea on how these resources can be used for a lot more than they may seem. You might find out ways to use some of these social networking sites in ways that can really help you.