Social+Networking

=Social Networking =

**Kerpoof ** **Alison Stalsberg and Jenae Werner **

Create an operational definition for the tool. Kerpoof’s multimedia software is used by kids worldwide to create original artwork, animated movies, stories, greeting cards, and more. The site is meant to be fun, but very serious about the educational value. Elementary and middle school teachers can use Kerpoof in many ways to enhance classroom activities while meeting a range of educational standards. It also provides teacher site that provides lessons, experiences, and educational standards.

Does the technology promote student engagement or merely entertainment? It does provide engagement for the students but more of a game aspect. The students would be playing games that can be educational but aren’t really educational based. It does offer lesson plans for teachers that they can use Kerpoof for.

Analyze whether this technology adds some demonstrable pedagogical value to traditional instruction. Yes, along with the lessons there are PowerPoint’s and there are introductory lessons on how to use the applications in Kerpoof. Students seem to be more engaged and interested in lessons that use technology and are computer based, since these lessons do incorporate these aspects they would add values to traditional instruction.

Assess the use of this particular technology to aid students in the acquisition of knowledge and not just information. Most of the lessons seem kind of fluffy, so they would be good activities to go along with a longer unit on the topic being studied. They probably wouldn’t be sufficient on their own but more of an addition to a unit.

Suggest some educational uses for this tool in the K-12 classroom. Kerpoof offers some educational tools for younger students like spelling, painting, drawing and writing through a game scenario. Subjects and Lessons include: Science (planets, butterflies, animals, seasons) Art (Escher, Monet, Picasso, Color Wheel) Language Art (Story writing, Spelling, Poetry). The tools would most likely be in addition to a more concentrated unit.

Discuss the pluses and minuses of using this tool with students. Pluses: It is student friendly Easy to navigate through Visually Stimulating and Colorful Covers a wide category of subjects Minus: Would not be sufficient at meeting state standards Students would not retain the information Seems more busy work

[] By: Heather Folkman

DEFINITION: ePals is a safe collaborative technology for schools to connect and learn in a protected, project-based learning network. There are classrooms from over 200 countries and territories involved, making it easier to connect learners locally, nationally or internationally.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT OR ENTERTAINMENT: The technology promotes student engagement and also entertainment.

VALUE TO TRADITIONAL INSTRUCTION: In first grade we learn about other cultures. ePals would be a great way to learn about different cultures in a more interactive way with real kids. Other grades learn about other cultures too and the world around them; so this would also be useful for them. In second grade, one of the learning targets is writing a friendly letter. ePals would be a meaningful way for students to write letters to others.

AID STUDENTS IN ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE: Students can learn more about the world around them. They can learn about their same age peers and what a typical day is like for them. Students can learn to appreciate differences as well.

EDUCATION USES IN K-12 CLASSROOMS: · Learning about other cultures by collaborating with a class from a different country · Writing letters to others near or far · Weather Unit · Holidays

PROS: · Interact with students around the world or even in the same city. · Registration is free · Once registered, you can start your own project and request epals

CONS: · May take awhile to find an e-pal group that suits your purpose or to fill your request · Need the technology

Club Penguin By: Jennifer Johnson

DEFINITION: Club Pegniun is a safe social networking tool that can be used by elementary level students. Parent involvement is needed to sign up which helps to keep parents up to date on what they children are doing.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT OR ENTERTAINMENT: This site is mainly for entertainment. Children are not suppose to use any real information. They are however able to make friends and play lots of different games. There are limitations if you do not buy a membership. VALUE TO TRADITIONAL INSTRUCTION: I do not see a use for Club Penguin in the classroom.

AID STUDENTS IN ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE:


 * Students will learn fun facts, but I was unable to find any valuable learning lessons.**

EDUCATION USES IN K-12 CLASSROOMS: Club Penguin may allow students to socialize outside of the classroom, but the site itself asks that the characters not use real names. In this case how will you know who is who and if you are really talking to someone in class.
 * PROS:**


 * **Teach students how to interact with others through the computer.**
 * **Learn to use email and other basic computer skills.**


 * CONS:﻿**
 * **There were litmited things that you could do for free.**
 * **Needed to join a membership and pay money for parts of the site.**
 * **Limited speech that you could use. (If you would like students to talk about a specific topic they my not be able too.**
 * **Students really don't know who they are talking too.**