debbie oestreicher's List: Technology - Social Networking

iKnow Social Learning is a social networking study tool created by Cerego in Japan. The site brings social networking to studying and learning in a really inventive way. Students (or you) sign up and are asked what languages you know, and what languages you want to learn. Then you are led through a short questionnaire about your interests. Study recommendations are made based on the questionnaire. Courses are available to enroll in (all free) to help you study and learn. The courses are created by Cerego and its partners or by other users. After logging in and filling out the introductory information, you are taken to a personal homepage. The homepage shows courses that you are enrolled in, your profile, friends, progress, a message center, and any items created by you. Courses are personalized language learning tools. Courses are geared for learning English and Japanese with more languages coming soon. Current English courses created by Cerego include vocabulary development, and SAT study prep. Courses created by users include everything from introduction to binary to the first presidential debate speech. There are three modes of study options for each course. The iKnow study section says the word aloud, gives the definition, and part of speech (if applicable to the course) and then uses the word in a sentence, and gives students the opportunity to practice spelling the word. After the study session, students are quizzed on the vocabulary. The next study section is called Dictation. In this section a sentence using the vocabulary is said aloud, students type the sentence (using correct spelling) as it is said. This is great for memorization, spelling, and those typing skills. The last study section is called Flash Study and provides students with a beat the clock type game to improve speed and accuracy. The current provided courses are appropriate for intermediate English language learners, and high school and college students. However, iKnow allows for users to create courses (called list

Integrate learning projects into your classroom curriculum. Choose a topic, assign students, invite teachers, and collaborate with members around the world.
The site is especially supportive of teachers, parents, and students who
want a more private place to collaborate. Oracle has very stringent rules about participation and offers teachers a setting that allows their students to interact ONLY with those from the same school. Oracle also checks each teacher's credential and school affiliation before activating accounts. Teachers are required to carefully monitor their classroom Think accounts.

The Apple is a social networking site for teachers. Think Facebook specially designed for teachers! This is the place where teachers meet, discuss, and learn. Use The Apple to read the latest education news of the day, watch education related videos, shop for education products (and see how other educators on The Apple have rated the products), search for jobs, learn about furthering your own education, explore articles and search for lesson plans by subject, share photos, discuss with other teachers, and create your own community of educators.