Course Module

Social Networking

Goals: Students will be aware of social networks and their purposes. Students will be able to join one of their favorite social networking sites and explain what the experience was like after two weeks.

Content Overview: Social networking is when people from all over the world come together on a certain website on the internet. Socialization is probably the biggest benefit online because information can be shared quickly and easily. Technology has a magnificent way of narrowing down facts to find people in a huge world. People can reconnect with old flames, meet a new business partner, or stay connected to current friends all without ever having to buy a plane ticket or hire a personal investigator. Many websites promote social networking, but it is up to each individual as to why they want to socialize. One component that makes social networks different than other websites is that there is always a way to leave a message (instant or post on a wall) on someone’s profile. In order for one to be social, they must be willing to give information about themselves as well.

Reading and Discussion:

Step 1:

Read the following news articles about social networks and answer some of the questions in your head. Is it fair for owners of websites like Facebook to charge entry fees? Why or why not? Are social networks just a phase or will they stick around? What makes a social site more popular than the next? What makes a person log into a social site daily? Are they safe? What components do social networking sites have that other websites do not? Why is the status of someone so important? Unimportant?

USA Today article on social networking

Wall Street Journal article on going professional

Facebook vs. MySpace MSN article

Step 2:

Click on the links below to check out various social networking websites. Which ones to do already belong to?

http://www.facebook.com/ A service that originally started through colleges and later opened up to anyone with an email address.

http://www.myspace.com/ A service that became most popular in the USA in 2006 with its music promotion, blogs, videos, photos and more. It then got beat out internationally by its biggest competitor Facebook in 2008. It is owned by Fox Interactive Media, which is owned by News Corporation.

http://www.skype.com/welcomeback/ A service that allows you to call other countries for a cheap fee or instant message and video chat free.

http://twitter.com/ A service that lets you stay connected by answering that one main question: What are you doing?

Step 3:

Click on these dating websites. Read how they got started and how many people sign on. Which one do you like best?

http://www.eharmony.com/ A dating service started by two doctors in 2000.

http://www.match.com/matchus/ A dating service that estimates 20,000 people joining daily. Are you next?

http://www.jdate.com/ A dating service that caters to the Jewish singles community.

Step 4:

Click on these (and numerous others) social networking sites. Would you consider using one for your business?

http://www.linkedin.com/ Over 40 million professionals use this site to share information for their business.

http://www.classmates.com/ One of the oldest social sites (1995) makes it easy for old high school friends to reconnect.

https://www.orkut.com A website managed by Goggle as a way to keep up with current friends.

Activity: This project will take two weeks, so plan accordingly. Pick your favorite social networking website. Sign on for a free trial for at least two weeks.

There are three parts you need to include.

First, write a 400-500 word essay about your experience on that site. Did you meet someone new? Did you reconnect with someone? Did you post pictures or a video? Why did you want to join that site? Write down what you liked and did not like about that site. Most importantly, do you plan on continuing to socialize on that site?

Second, keep a record log of the date, time and duration you signed into that site. This can be in any format you’d like.

Third, make an advertisement in a word document that would convince your friends to join a social network. Think about the reason they would want to join.

Submission: Email your 400-500 word essay, record log and advertisement as word document attachments to cphillip@mcdaniel.edu. Your subject line should read :SLM521-Last name-Social Networking-Elective #. Then, post your 400-500 word essay on blackboard under the whole class discussion forum, “Social Networking.” Both email and post must be completed for full credit.

Rubric:

	unacceptable	developing	accomplished
Objectives	Does not meet any one of the goals.	Meets partial goals: aware of social network sites but does not comprehend two-week experience or advertisement.	Meets all goals: aware of social networks and their purposes. Students will be able to join one of their favorite social networking sites and explain what the experience was like after two weeks.
Introduction	Short statement of information about chosen social network.	Brief, interesting statement of topic but can’t define reasons for joining social network.	Well-crafted introduction of social networking experience, including personal reasons for joining and positive or negative feedback.
Activity	One of the three parts are complete.	Two of the three parts are complete	All three parts of activity are completed. Well though out and engaging to reader.
Other Resources	Obvious student did not view links.	List of web link put at the end.	Annotated, linked and cited list of all types of resources that bear on the topic.