I am about to embark on a new and exciting implementation of using a social network for educational purposes in my photography classes. I have been thinking about ways to encourage more collaborative dialogue among my students. With so much of class time spent on learning technical aspects of camera functions and digital photo management, critical analysis of student work often takes a back seat.

In an effort to give “critique” a place in the front seat where it belongs, I plan to implement the use of a new open source application called “Elgg.” It is an application that can be uploaded to a LAN server for private social networking. Considering my students are beginning level photographers and Middle School age, using a private social network will allow them collaboration amongst peers in a private setting.

I myself am a member of 3 Ning educational networks which has connected me to educators across the globe. I had some initial reservations about the “networking” possibilities with a social network housed and accessible only to members of the school. However, I though further about my learning goals for my students, which is collaboration among their peers within the class and have decided to try Elgg out.

My implementation plan:
-Setting up the network and testing all tools students will use
-Create a timeline for Phase 1: introduction, teaching appropriate/responsible use
-Create a timeline for Phase 2: log in, basic tools, groups, pages
-Create a timeline for Phase 3: discussion, critique, reflection assignments
-Implement Phase 1 then record and reflect, adjust timeline if needed
-Implement Phase 2 then record and reflect, adjust tool “glitches,” moniter student use in and out of class, adjust timeline if needed.
-Implement Phase 3 then record and reflect, moniter student discussions, critique, reflections for content understanding and appropriate/responsible use
-Ongoing monitoring and reflection
-At the end of course: Continue use following plan, continue use with adjusted plan, or discontinue use

We’ll see how is goes! Check back for a later post on this topic in a few weeks!