More Teens and 'Tweens Are Creating Content and Connecting Online for Educational Benefits
Offering Schools New Opportunities to Use Technology Reports New National School Boards Association Study

Alexandria, VA - August 14

A new study released today by the National School Boards Association and Grunwald Associates LLC exploring the online behaviors of U.S. teens and 'tweens shows that 96% of students with online access use social networking technologies, such as chatting, text messaging, blogging, and visiting online communities such as Facebook, MySpace, and Webkinz. Further, students report that one of the most common topics of conversation on the social networking scene is education.

Nearly 60 percent of online students report discussing education-related topics such as college or college planning, learning outside of school, and careers. And 50 percent of online students say they talk specifically about schoolwork.

Students report they are engaging in highly creative activities on social networking internet sites including writing, art, and contributing to collaborative online projects whether or not these activities are related to schoolwork.

Today, students report that they are spending almost as much time using social networking services and Web sites as they spend watching television

In the future, schools that incorporate social networking tools in education can help engage kids and move them toward the center of the learning process.*

The report, Creating & Connecting: Research and Guidelines on Online Social and Educational Networking, is based on three surveys: an online survey of nearly 1,300 9- to 17-year-olds, an online survey of more than 1,000 parents, and telephone interviews with 250 school districts leaders who make decisions on Internet policy.

The study was carried out with support from Microsoft, News Corporation, and Verizon, and does not necessarily represent the views of the underwriters.

Further details and a link to the full-text of the report is available at:

http://onlinesocialnetworks.blogspot.com/2007/09/creating-connecting-research-and.html


***To keep in touch with the things mentioned (MySpace, blogging, etc.) above and how to make it work for your library, be sure to check out our upcoming classes on the CE catalog!***