Journal # 8. Tapping the Wealth ofSocial Netwoks for the Professional Development.

Greenhow, C. (2009). Tapping the wealth of social networks for professional development. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36. Retrieved from Staging.iste.org/AM/PinterTemplate.cfm?Section=June_July_No_8_1&Template=/CM?HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID+23554&FuseFlag=1

This article talks about cyber space communication and it's advantages and disadvantages. The writer talked about MySpace, Facebook and especially Twitter. Researchers are still trying to figure out why they are being used and how. researchers also are looking to see how these new methods of communications are affecting our attitudes and shaping them. Having collective communication in real time is something that adds great wealth and insight to our knowledge because we can have access to information instantly and with the help of people that knowledge in areas that we we researching.
The author then goes on to talk about different social markings such as Delicious and the way it has been helping teachers in assembling, annotating and sharing scholarly resources. The author also argues that such real time communication democratises learning by giving informational access to underprivileged groups and sharing knowledge with them. Furthermore it helps teachers and educators asses their teaching methods and build on them.
Furthermore, the article mentions the other great advantages of communication on the Internet such as Facebook. It gives a lot of young people the support that they are looking for whenever they need it. It allows them to keep in touch with peers regardless of the distance, time and space. Digital social networking is a tool that can be used infinitely to benefit everyone.

Will socializing and networking over the Internet change people's attitudes about socializing face to face?
I believe that is eventually going to be an issue. The more people rely on socializing over the Internet, the more isolated they will get and eventually stop feeling comfortable socializing face to face. Having said that, it is also very important to note that socializing over the Internet has made the world a smaller place because it has crossed over physical boundaries and brought different nations closer.

Do the advantages of networking and socializing over the Internet outweigh the disadvantages that might result from less and less human contact?
Yes, I believe the advantages by far outweigh the disadvantages. I believe that parents and educators should teach kids on how to properly use the Internet so it doesn't take over their lives and make it their main mode of socializing.