• Social Networking

Social networking is connecting with other people who share similar interests and ideas by  creating a ‘network’, in which people can share views/opinions, information, photos and videos, only made possible by Web 2.0. Users are able to build their networks of contacts and can comment and see comments from others enabling them to interact with one another.

• My social networking sites

Facebook- I use Facebook as a networking tool with fellow teachers and now postgraduate students.  I also use it as a means to socialise with friends and to keep in contact with friends I am not able to see on a regular basis.  I have also found that by following particular groups on Facebook, I am now able to receive many articles of interest and information to read through.

Instagram- I also use this as a networking tool but mainly for my own personal reasons.  It is a great way of seeing what friends are doing and where they are in the world by looking at the photos they post.

Pinterest- I use Pinterest as a way of gaining ideas from other people which may help me with home renovating or party ideas or even fashion.  I do not use this platform as a personal means of networking with friends.

• What I expect to learn

Throughout INF506, I expect to learn about different social networking sites I can use as a professional.  I am particularly looking forward to learning about those I am not as familiar with such as Diigo and Flickr.  I am excited to learn about the most effective ways to disseminate information and have two-way contact with students as an information manager as well as discovering which social networking sites are most beneficial for this.

I am eager to learn about blog design and how this can be used with students as a form of disseminating and sharing information.  I am interested to see other students’ blogs from this subject to see if there are particular formats which are more effective and easier for students at a school level to utilise and want to engage with.