Using+Ning

toc Thursday, July 30th, 1:10-2:40, Cole 23 Diann e Krause Cathy Laguna
 * Using Ning as a School Social Network **

//**Session Description**// Harness the power of Social Networking in your class or school with a Ning network. Creating a Ning network for your students, class, school or district sparks cross-district friendship, sharing, collaboration, and learning. Come and learn how to set up a Ning, some tips & tricks for getting started, and ideas for use.

Presentation
If you have a Google account, you can follow and participate in the presentation online. Click the link below to join in or view the presentation at your own pace below.

[|Click to Access Google Presentation]

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What is Ning?
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Click image to view a higher quality video...

According to [|Wikipedia], "[|Ning] is an online platform for users to create their own social websites and social networks. The unique feature of Ning is that anyone can create their own custom [|social network] for a particular topic or need, catering to specific audiences."

//**What is unique about Ning?**//
 * Ning is unique in that is one of the only free platforms with which someone, anyone, can create their own social network.
 * Although there are [|other sites] to create social networks, Ning is very easy to use, customize, and manage.
 * Best of all, it's free and [|educators K-12 who use it can get the advertisements removed for free].
 * Creators have complete control over their networks including the selection of features, color theme for the site, images on the site, set-up of the pages, permissions of users, privacy settings and so much more.
 * To learn more about Ning and view a full list of features, click [|HERE].

//**But what is a social network?**// Check out this quick explanatory video from [|Common Craft:] media type="custom" key="4132447"

Why use Ning?

 * An abundance of features:
 * Profile pages - each member can customize and add content and applications
 * Groups - private or public
 * Discussion Forums - global or in groups
 * Blogging - all built in
 * Video and Photo sharing, with the ability to add comments
 * Live chat
 * Music
 * Walled Garden Approach: Nings can be private or public, depending on your needs with different moderation settings.
 * Allows for true differentiation and personalized learning.
 * 24/7 availability of discussions, resources, communication and collaboration.
 * Allows for easy local, state, and global collaboration.
 * Can be used both synchronously and asynchronously.
 * Can use your Ning as your "one stop shop" for everything you'd like to do online with your students.
 * [|Ning in Education Ning]

Wissahickon's Ning
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The employees of WSD have their own Ning network called the [|WSD Professional Learning Network]. It is closed to the public and accessible only by invitation. Watch the video below to learn more about WSD's Ning.

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The Keystones Ning
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How to Create a Ning
Although the screenshots in some of these resources are outdated since Ning's facelift, the information is still relevant and helpful.


 * Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial**

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 * How to Create a Ning Network Video**

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 * Tutorial Slideshow - How to Create and Use a Ning Network**

Educational Nings

 * Pennsylvania Nings**
 * [|CFF Connections]
 * [|Pennsylvania Educators]
 * [|PETE & C 2009]
 * [|PSLA Ning (for Librarians in PA)]


 * School & Subject Area Nings**
 * [|Art Education 2.0]
 * [|English Companion]
 * [|Elementary Tech Teachers]
 * [|TechnoLanguages]
 * [|Teacher Librarian Ning]


 * Resource Nings**
 * [|Images 4 Education]
 * [|Moodle Meet]
 * [|netTrekker Village]
 * [|Smart Board Revolution]
 * [|Videoconferencing in Education]
 * [|VoiceThread for Educators]


 * Global Nings**
 * [|Classroom 2.0]
 * [|The CUE Community]
 * [|Education 2.0]
 * [|Flat Classrooms]
 * [|Future of Education]
 * [|ISTE Community]
 * [|The Global Education Collaborative]
 * [|NECC Ning]
 * [|Ning in Education]
 * [|Projects by Jen]
 * [|Power Up for Learning in the 21st Century]
 * [|RezEd - The Hub for Learning and Virtual Worlds]

Resources

 * [|Ning Website]
 * [|Ning Product Overview]
 * [|NingZone]- Ning Tutorials Forum
 * Ning Networks for Education - A wikispaces full of resources and tutorial videos.
 * [|Joshua Davies' Ning Tutorials]
 * Sue Waters Ning Tutorial
 * [|Robin Good's Ning Tutorial]
 * [|Ning Help and FAQs]
 * [|Ning in Education Diigo Group]
 * [|How to Become an Active Member of your Ning Network]

Live Blog
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