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ning
By Wessam Ibrahim
What is Ning?: Launched in October of 2005, Ning is a social network designed around creating social networks. Ning invites users to create their own social network by going through a series of steps such as naming the social network, selecting a color scheme, and allowing for unique profile questions. In some ways, Ning is a portal to mini-social networks since you can choose to join any of the thousands of user-created networks, and in other ways, it is a social network development platform.
Ning is a social networking site similar to Facebook and Myspace, but it takes the notion of a social network one step further by allowing the user to create own social network. The word "Ning" is Chinese for "peace" (simplified Chinese: 宁; traditional Chinese: 寧; pinyin: níng). Ning was launched in October of 2005 by Marc Andreessen and Gina Bianchini, Andreessen is known for founding two other prominent Internet start ups Netscape and Opsware. Ning invites users to create their own social network, based off their own particular interest, with social networks based on a wide range of interests from a group focused on a shared fear of flying to another group that consists of fans of Outdoor Music Festivals. This is accomplished by providing the user with simple and easy-to-use tools which allow them to create their own fully customizable network. First they begin by selecting the name of their social network then they move on to selecting the visual image of their network. Finally the creator adds unique profile questions specific to the topic of their social network. The user is also able to upload videos and pictures from other Web 2.0 projects such as Flikr as well as link to outside websites in order to enhance their network.. Ning has also been utilized by educators in order to develop their educational resources and assist in their classes. In some ways, Ning is a portal to other mini-social networks as it allows the user to navigate amongst and join thousands of other user-created networks, and in other ways, it is a social network development platform.
The Role of Ning in Education:
Students today live on Facebook and other social networks like Myspace. Ning stands as an effective tool that takes advantage of social networks in a neutral setting by offering something fun and enjoyable for the students. How can that be done? By creating social networks around academic topics of study. It can also help researchers from around the world working on one particular area of study. What is more, it can be used by colleges and universities to help current or new students to build connections with their fellow students. It can serve as an ice breaking activity at the very beginning of the year when a teacher is instructing the class for the first time. Furthermore, it can also connect an individual dorm or the library to connect with the campus constituents. I think, creating a ning as a social network tool would make the "world flat ". In other words, it can connect those participating in a semester abroad program to stay connected through the college years and beyond, even as they transfer to other institutions, graduate, or relocate.
I am using a ning page for my class this semester, Arabic111. I can really feel all the advantages mentioned above as it enabled me, not only to connect the two classes I am teaching, but also to other universities and other socail networks. It gives more spaces and chances for learners to practice and participate in an enjoyable way. I strongly agree that " ning" is an easy tool, which doesn't need any technical skills to set it up, to connect people, learners, reareachers, and institutions regardless the space ot the time boundaries.
Ning is a social networking site similar to Facebook and Myspace, but it takes the notion of a social network one step further by allowing the user to create own social network. The word "Ning" is Chinese for "peace" (simplified Chinese: 宁; traditional Chinese: 寧; pinyin: níng). Ning was launched in October of 2005 by Marc Andreessen and Gina Bianchini, Andreessen is known for founding two other prominent Internet start ups Netscape and Opsware. Ning invites users to create their own social network, based off their own particular interest, with social networks based on a wide range of interests from a group focused on a shared fear of flying to another group that consists of fans of Outdoor Music Festivals. This is accomplished by providing the user with simple and easy-to-use tools which allow them to create their own fully customizable network. First they begin by selecting the name of their social network then they move on to selecting the visual image of their network. Finally the creator adds unique profile questions specific to the topic of their social network. The user is also able to upload videos and pictures from other Web 2.0 projects such as Flikr as well as link to outside websites in order to enhance their network.. Ning has also been utilized by educators in order to develop their educational resources and assist in their classes. In some ways, Ning is a portal to other mini-social networks as it allows the user to navigate amongst and join thousands of other user-created networks, and in other ways, it is a social network development platform.
The Role of Ning in Education:
Students today live on Facebook and other social networks like Myspace. Ning stands as an effective tool that takes advantage of social networks in a neutral setting by offering something fun and enjoyable for the students. How can that be done? By creating social networks around academic topics of study. It can also help researchers from around the world working on one particular area of study. What is more, it can be used by colleges and universities to help current or new students to build connections with their fellow students. It can serve as an ice breaking activity at the very beginning of the year when a teacher is instructing the class for the first time. Furthermore, it can also connect an individual dorm or the library to connect with the campus constituents. I think, creating a ning as a social network tool would make the "world flat ". In other words, it can connect those participating in a semester abroad program to stay connected through the college years and beyond, even as they transfer to other institutions, graduate, or relocate.
I am using a ning page for my class this semester, Arabic111. I can really feel all the advantages mentioned above as it enabled me, not only to connect the two classes I am teaching, but also to other universities and other socail networks. It gives more spaces and chances for learners to practice and participate in an enjoyable way. I strongly agree that " ning" is an easy tool, which doesn't need any technical skills to set it up, to connect people, learners, reareachers, and institutions regardless the space ot the time boundaries.
Wenling |
Latest page update: made by Wenling
, Dec 14 2008, 10:32 PM EST
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