Thing #12 - Explore social networking

I was glad to have an opportunity to explore the networks that people (expecially students) are always talking about. As always, my first thoughts run to Pirates Read! and ways to use it to promote the book club and the various books we are reading. I explored MySpace, Facebook, and the Mesquite Ning - joining MySpace and the Mesquite Ning. (My cousin, a UT Austin student, uses Facebook for assignments in all her classes.) I looked up the political candidates and found searching somewhat easier in My Space. It's interesting what the candidates put on their page for voters to see. They have jumped right in to make use of this new way of reaching people. It's also interesting to look at libraries pages and see the uses they are making of this tool. I can see why students are so fascinated with this type of networking. And, I can see why they refuse to use other blogs, like the one established for Pirates Read! since MySpace is like a one stop place for all their networking needs. With limited time, students want one thing to check and checking a second blog is entirely too time consuming when MySpace is their first (and only) stop. Once they spend all the time it takes to get it set up just like you want it and finding and inviting friends, they are not inclined to go anywhere else. I will be glad when MISD relaxes its My Space policy so we can make use of this tool to network with all students, not just book club. It seems to be a great way to let students know about new books in the library and giving them information on both books and other library programs. Also, this assignment was quite frustrating to work on at school since we are blocked by MISD. I was unable to get into some things at school even with my login and password.