Social Networking:An Academic Social Network Comparison

Kirsten R. Fowler-Cooper

Social Network ComparisonIn this presentation, I will select two networks from the list provided at EducationalNetworking.com (EducationalNetworking.com) that would be of use to me in my current position. I will review them and discuss why and how I would use these and what the impact would be on my professional practice.

Instructional Design CentralInstructional Design Central (IDC) is dedicated towards providing instructional design professionals, educators, and students access to instructional designer resources, information, learning opportunities, and community services.

IDC: Community

The IDC Linkedin community has 1,001 members and has content including

Discussions Members and Promotions. The site is regularly updated by administrators and members with links to current news,

articles and events. (IDC Community)

IDC: Community Review

The IDC Community Linkedin site is an excellent resource for networking with others involved in the educational technology community.

I would use this site to: Locate information about upcoming events

learn about past events and others’ reflections of them.

Meet local members

Network with other members

pursue job opportunities

Discuss current events in the educational technology field

International Society for Technology in EducationISTE membership is a powerful and meaningful way for educators to connect with peers, to gather in a variety of forums to share the challenges and excitement of teaching, and to be part of a community that leads the transformation of education. (ISTE)

ISTE: Community

The ISTE Ning network has 5,786 members and includes links to to groups, events, a

discussion forum, blogs, videos and photos. (ISTE Community)

ISTE: Community Review

The ISTE Ning Community site is an excellent resource for networking with others involved in the educational technology community.

I would use this site to: Locate information about upcoming events

Learn about past events and others’ reflections of them.

Meet local members

Network with other members

Pursue job opportunities

Discuss current events in the educational technology field

IDC / ISTE Community Comparison

IDC Community 1001 members Active Forums Linked to my Linkedin Profile Small Organization No events linked to community Excellent Networking

Opportunities

ISTE Community 5786 members Moderately Active Forums Part of the Ning Community Renowned Organization Numerous Events linked to

community Excellent Networking

Opportunities

Works Cited:

EducationalNetworking.com. (n.d.). Educational Networking - List of Networks. Retrieved 04 24, 2011, from http://www.educationalnetworking.com/List+of+Networks

IDC. (n.d.). Instructional Design Central. Retrieved 04 24, 2011, from http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/: http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/

IDC Linkedin. (n.d.). Instructional Design Central Linkedin. Retrieved 04 24, 2011, from http://www.linkedin.com/: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=2672881

ISTE Community. (n.d.). ISTE. Retrieved 04 24, 2011, from ISTE Community: http://www.iste-community.org/

ISTE. (n.d.). International Society for Technology in Education Web Site. Retrieved 04 24, 2011, from International Society for Technology in Education Web Site: http://www.iste.org

Kirsten Fowler-Cooperwww.kirstenfowler.com