Ning

= Communication Tool: = Group Members: Sarah and Kayli


 * Screenshot or logo**

Brief introduction of the tool
Ning is a social network that allows people to create and join other ning networks. When an account is set up, the network allows you to create your own homepage. It allows people to join networks that are interesting to them and chat with the people in those networks.


 * ===//Advantages of the tool//===


 * Efficiency**- Ning could be a place for a teacher to post homework, send out messages and increase the efficiency of communicating with students. It saves time by allowing you to post homework all in one place and students can have one website with all the information for the class that they need.
 * Effectiveness**-Making a Ning would be effective in relaying information and bringing your class together in one place. It helps you be an effective teacher with your resources all in one place.
 * Enhancement**- Ning really enhances the way that students can learn and be connected. For example, a teacher could create a social networking site for their class to post relevant videos for the class, links to articles they want the students to read etc. There is also the ability to have a discussion board for sudents to ask questions or talk about homework or readings.

A small bandwidth (free) can be restricting on the number of users, but for just a class that should not be a problem.
 * ===//Disadvantages (limitations) of the tool//===

Application of the tool in your subject area
Think of one example of integrating the tool in teaching your subject area. What will the teacher be doing? What will students be doing?

I could create a network for my class, and post assignments, course materials, study tools and resources. The students could use the chat or discussion groups to communicate with me or each other about assignments or questions. I could put occasional extra credit assignments on the Ning so that students who checked it regularly for updates would be rewarded. The students could come to the site to interact with other students and find coursework and stuff they missed in class.

Ning could also be used when teaching math. As a teacher, I could set up a Ning account a create a Ning network for my students. Contained in the network could be the course outlines, homework asignments, and possibly helpful notes I feel that my students should have. It would be my job to keep the network updated with the latest information about the class. My students would be able to view the network and interact with the other students in the same course. It would also be helpful for students if they had any questions about the assignments of just questions in general.

Find a tutorial on YouTube
Go to YouTube and look for tutorial videos on your project (be sure to watch them as some are far better than others!) Once you find the video you want to use, find the embedded html code. Copy the code.

media type="youtube" key="VfAqhfn4q78" height="344" width="425"

===//List of key features showed in the YouTube video://===


 * The video describes the steps to create a Ning network.
 * How to add people to your network.
 * It also discusses how you can become the leader of the network you created.
 * The video discusses different groups and networks.

Useful Resources

 * Ning.com**: The website has an About Ning section describing it's creation and they list some reasons about Why You'll Love Ning, with the best information on how to get started creating your own network.


 * Wikipedia's entry for Ning: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ning_%28website%29**) Describes the purpose and history of Ning as well as features and controversies.


 * Education.ning.com**: This site provides information and resources on how to incorporate Ning into your classroom, a site for educators to contribute ideas, comments and concerns about using Ning as an educational tool.