Ning

= [|About Ning] Communication Tool: Ning = Group Members:


 * Screenshot or logo**

Brief introduction of the tool
Ning.com is a social networking site, described as being similar to Twitter and Facebook. It is used to connect with different interests. People can use a Ning to schedule events, create groups, chat, have discussions, and upload videos or pictures.


 * ===//Advantages of the tool//===

-Efficiency: It would be efficient in giving students information. It is also a site the students are likely to have easy access to. It’s free to sign up and students would be able to even connect this site with their Twitter account if they want.

-Effectiveness: It would be an effective way to communicate with students. Teachers would be able to give reminders to students or send them helpful links. As long as the students continue to use and follow the site, it could be a good tool for the students.

-Enhancement: It would be able to enhance the students’ learning by connecting them with the teacher. Since there is chat available on the site, the student can chat with their teacher to answer any unresolved questions or by giving the students tips or sites that can help the student to understand the material better.

On the page the teacher creates, they can also set certain settings so that the teacher has to approve of things before they are posted. This would help to avoid anything inappropriate from the page.


 * ===//Disadvantages (limitations) of the tool//===

Students may stray from the site or from the purpose of the site. Because it is similar to other popular social networking sites, they may not continue to really use it for educational purposes and use it purely for social purposes. Also, if the students are in middle school, the teacher may need to remember that students will likely need their parents to fill out permission slips for the student to create an account.

Application of the tool in your subject area
Ning.com can be integrated very well into English classrooms. It can be used to organize information, upload videos and start conversation. This tool could help spark conversation before class starts, so that the students are ready to talk about the subject that day. This would also help remind students about homework, quizzed and exams. It is also helpful that you can set the privacy settings.

Find a tutorial on YouTube
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//List of key features showed in the YouTube video://
Videos- You can embed videos Pictures- You can upload pictures Groups/Forums- You can create groups and forums within your site Events- You can create events and invite people to them Blog (RSS Feed) Can help with Search Engine Optimization- Helps you be found in sear Easier to get a targeted group of people because they are there for the same reason.

Useful Resources
[|About Ning] This page explains what ning.com is about. It gives the user an idea of how the site works and why it was created. [|Ning Help] This page allows the users to ask questions and get help with problems they are having on the site. [|Ning Blog]The blog just lets the users know what the new features are and how to use them [|Ning Wikipedia] The Wikipedia page just gives information about the site and some of the changes and controversies.