social networks

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social networks

• affordances practice

UF Libraries Expo April 15, 2008 200-230 PM EST
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who am I?

• Christopher D. Sessums
• Director, Distance Education, College of
  Education
  
• Instructor, Educational Technology, College of
  Education
  
• Ph.D. candidate -- educational technology
• http//eduspaces.net/csessums/weblog

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What is an online social network?

• allow individuals to
• construct a public or semi-public profile within
  a bounded system,
  
• articulate a list of other users with whom they
  share a connection, and
  
• view and traverse their list of connections and
  those made by others within the system. (boyd
  ellison, 2007)

• Complex, adaptive systems
• Norms
• Loose and adaptive
• Rigid/prescribed
• Relational
• Spontaneous
• Purposeful

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What are basic characteristics of a social
network?

• Shared/public profile
• Friends
• Messaging
• Media sharing options
• Widely accessible
• Support group forming
• Supports pre-exisiting social relations

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How have social networks impacted society?

• Sharing
• Organizing
• Finding content
• Finding people

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How do I use a social network?

• Formal/Informal
• Purpose - personal/professional
• Commitment
• Participation
• Share
• Connect
• Knowledge Base - Filter/Hub
• Feedback
• Fun

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Why do people use a social networks?

• Keep up friendships -- facebook
• Making new friends -- match.com
• Bowing to the social pressure of friends or
  colleagues -- facebook
  
• An altruistic impulse -- wikipedia
• A carnal impulse -- "other," erotica,
  exhibitionism
  
• A creative impulse -- photography, videography,
  screenwriter
  
• Affinity grouping -- ball team, knitting circle,
  fandom
  
• Validation -- contributing something meaningful

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What does participation cost?

• Money
• Time
• Effort
• Attention

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What would you like to see in an online social
networking application?

• Do you have a favorite?
• Describe why you like it.
• What would you change about it?

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Questions? csessums_at_coe.ufl.edu
http//eduspaces.net/csessums/weblog