Classroom 2.0, a social network for educators using 21^st century collaborative technologies, has 3,654 members. No, wait. 3,655, 3656... This is a dynamic site with easy entry. To ease that introduction even more, Darren Draper, a technology specialist in Utah's Jordan School District has created a video interview introducing Classroom 2.0 and its founder, Steve Hardigan.

In that interview, Hardigan explains that the resource began we he asked "Could we create a way for teachers who don't have really any experience in the tools of the web to come into a site and very quickly discover the benefits of web 2.0?"

Hardigan begins his introduction to Classroom 2.0 by explaining the phenomena of social networking. Yes, you have heard of MySpace and Facebook, but he encourages people to refocus their understanding of social networking as a powerful tool set for collaboration. He is focused on how teachers can best take advantage of these digital abilities--dare we say digibilities?

Classroom 2.0's technology is through Ning, a company that provides a social networking structure to anyone who wants it. Just as there are the widest possibilities of interest groups using Ning, there are a number of subgroup's within Classroom 2.0. Members are welcome to set up their own groups.

Resources in the Classroom 2.0 Community

Subgroup DigiSkills wins the popularity contest with 203 members. Created by Hans Feldmeier, this global group focuses on ICT. Reads its blurb, "Teachers & students learn how to deal with the computer. DigiSkills teachers design, share, compare and enhance teaching methods and materials."

Also in the top five are Mac Classroom 2.0 (100 members), Professional Development (99 members), Distance Collaboration (84 members), K12 Free and Open Source Software (83 members), and Elementary School 2.0 (78 members). Members of the elementary school site are asking for help with 21^st century exemplary lesson plans, building-level policies for social networking sites, upgrading the "fiction writing" curriculum and more.

Among the most recent additions still waiting for community members are the CBC ITC Policy Group, the Dell Facilitator Blog, and TLC for Technology Learning Committees.

Discussions are, of course, tagged, enabling searches by technology or topic. A Classroom 2.0 Wiki also provides a valuable resource. Look up RSS for example, and you get an entertaining video that just could inspire you to see how simple and fun screencasting is. Below that, a list of uses of RSS in education reads:

• Keep abreast of current events in news, education, politics and professional organizations.
• Receive updates to your favorite blogs.
• Subscribe to and network with educational bloggers in your field of study.
• Share your feeds with other educators. View their feeds.
• Make announcements to students after class.
• Track student blogs and wikis.
• Subscribe to Podcasts.
• Students can track each other's blogs.
• Students can share their feeds with each other, creating a collaborative research environment.
• Students can become more globally aware by subscribing to news and current affairs sites.

A single bullet on "What RSS Does for Students" reads, "Helps break down the walls of the classroom to provide connections to the outside world," but you can add to the list.

Participating

Hardigan recognizes that participation can be intimidating. People are accustomed to having everything perfect before it goes to print. Let that go and, as Hardigan says, "Get past the fear of not looking out best all the time." This is a crowd that takes you in your sweats or robes. To be convinced of that, know that lurking is encouraged. When you are ready, add a comment or ask a question.

Draper asks Hardigan for a favorite success story, and Hardigan points to a principal who is one of his most prolific members. That principal's first paragraph on Classroom 2.0 took him two hours, says Hardigan.

Beyond this Ning: Creating

Beyond this community, Hardigan hopes that users will head directly to Ning or similar platforms and set up social networks for their classrooms, parents, a district's administrators and teachers, and other education communities.

By Mary Axelson

Endnote: Daren Draper also merits attention for his video Pay Attention, which many have found to be a motivating tool in faculty presentations.