Week 2 - Web 2.0, Social Networking and the social life of information - Part 1

I thought that I would be a natural at this subject...after all I live on facebook! But trying to raise two children (and a husband) and trying to keep up with readings for two subjects as well as checking facebook INF506 group page, twitter etc. I am starting to wonder how do people who are professional bloggers do this? How do they keep on top of their social network pages? Write, commentate on social and current events and be able to do anything else? My respect for the likes of Mia Freedman is increasing by the day...how does she do it? I have subscribed to a kizillion blogs - social commentary and gossip, ones recommended by lecturers, library industry ones via RSS - I can barely keep up every morning there is another 100 or so entries..arghhhhhh.

For the next two weeks we are exploring a variety of social networking sites.....at least I have heard of most of them and have attempted to use most of them in some capacity....I can only imagine what it must be like for students who have been forced to immigrate to this 'digital' world. So this week I will play around with sites recommended and will offer my 'non-expert' opinion and reflections on them.

Introduction - Week 1

I am going to be very honest here.....I am really bad at reflective practice...unless there is a bottle of red involved and then I am able to reflect until the cows come home! But due to the high protein low carb diet that I am currently on (two lots of baby weight is in desperate need of removal), I only get to drink wine once a week...and I am too busy eating and drinking everything under the sun to write on my 'free' day! However, I am going to attempt to write a reflective piece on my learning each week - it also helps that it is part of my assessment...nothing like an assessment task to get you working.

Lyn I hope you don't mind that I have taken the approach to write like I am having a conversation with you...I find it easier that way and less like blowing my own trumpet and I get to be 'me'.

So Social Networking....what does it mean to me? Well I am going to be very honest whilst on maternity leave with my first child - Facebook was my saviour! I had severe post-natal depression after my first... I think I also had undiagnosed pre-natal depression now that I look back on it...but that is a story for my other blog
http://mummybalancingact.blogspot.com

My definition of social networking is a device or piece of technology that allows human beings to interact within a virtual world, one that is not impacted by distance, whereby they can share feelings and thoughts, communicate, collaborate and construct knowledge and understanding.

What social networking devices have I used (personally/professionally/student life).....Facebook, Twitter, Bookglutton, Moodle, Skype, Googledocs, Wikis.

What do I hope to learn from INF 506.....I am hoping to develop an understanding of social networking technology that I haven't had the opportunity to use before such as Flickr and Second Life - as I am yet to understand why I need to have a second life considering how busy my first one is?... I am also hoping to develop skills that will enable me to use this technology in my 'day -job' as students use this technology like the rest of us breathe air...so I want to make Science and English Language (linguistics) more engaging through this medium.