Social Networking Tools
Blogs, wikis, instant messaging, social bookmarking, video sharing spaces, and many others constitute what is defined as social networking tools. Student often use these to stay connected with others, share information, make plans with friends, communicate, and dialogue with their peers. As a technology, many of these tools provide a "virtual community of practice", allowing students and educators to share information and enhance learning. For some learners, this may offer an easier medium to exchange information -- allowing the flexibility of digital media and tools. For example, students who rely upon assistive technologies to read and write (such as text aloud programs and voice activation) can use these tools while reading and responding with others through a blog or wiki. According to the 2007 New Horizons Report, http://www.nmc.org/horizon/2007/about social networking was ranked as one of the top two technologies to watch in the immediate future. Social networking tools may offer some new opportunities to engage learners!