SOCIAL LEARNING
Directory of Social Networks for Learning Professionals
Updated: 21/12/2008

This list was set up in response to requests for help in finding social networks aimed at learning professionals, that are FREE to join. The list contains a mix of networks for both educators and workplace learning professionals.  Use the list to find one or two relevant networks to join.

The list is ordered by name of network. The platform (e.g. Ning, LinkedIn, Facebook) and the name of the network creator, where known are shown in brackets. 

If you know  of a social network that you think should be on the list, email me, Jane Hart. 

A

• 25Tools: Open to any one who would like to discuss the use of 25 free tools for education or training. (Ning, Jane Hart)
• AralaNET: Internet based learning for all: on-line Philippine community of teachers and educational leaders in basic education, who are natives or immigrants in the digital world (Ning)
• Art Education 2.0: Using new technology in art classrooms (Ning, Craig Roland)

B

• Brandon Hall Research Innovations in Learning: This group is for anyone interested in the changing world of learning and learning technology. (Facebook group, Brandon Hall)

C

• Challenges 2009: The EDUCAUSE Top Teaching and Learning Challenges (Ning, Carie Page)
• Classroom 2.0: for those interested in Web 2.0 and collaborative or transformative technologies in education (Ning, Steve Hargadon)
• College 2.0: Online Learning and Web 2.0 in Higher Education (Ning, Eduardo Peirano)
• College 2.0: (Facebook group, Eduardo Peirano)
• Coming of Age: Discussion area etc for this book. (Ning, Terry Freedman)
• Corporate elearning strategies and development:  (NIng, Brent Schlenker)
• Corporate Learning Trends and Innovation: Set up for the online conference in November, continues to provide an online discussion space (Ning, Jay Cross)
• Creating an online learning community: This space is open for discussions about online learning and sharing. How can we optimize online learning spaces to share and learn from each other? How can online learning communities improve student learning and engagement? (Ning, Simon)
• Creativity in E-Learning: For all those involved in using technology to enhance learning and teaching, from schools, colleges and Universities, to commercial and public training departments. (Ning, Helen W)

D

• Distance Learning: A social network for distance learning professionals (Ning, aduckwoth)

E

• EdLinks: A Social network for Learning 2.0 for Pakistan (Ning, Deborah Johnson)
• edna Groups: Community spaces for Australian educatos (edna)
• Education 2.0: Instructional Designers, developers, instructors and learners getting together to share PRACTICAL ideas about the application of Web 2.0 tools, websites and other resources in school Education and eLearning (formal or informal).(Ning, Enzo Silva)
• eLearn group: A community for sharing ideas, concepts, and technology for eLearning. Join today and post any of your comments/questions, or get access to tutorials and code snippets to increase you production time! (Red Resener, LinkedIn)
• E-Learning for Life: Fostering a professional learning community in Qatar and beyond (Ning, Julie Lindsay)
• elearning in developing and developed countries: The challenges facing e-learning in developing countries are ongoing and require everyone's attention. (Facebook group, Nellie Deutsch)
• (E-)Learning Network: Networking group for professionals working in the (E-)learning industry and informal learning industry. Enables members to share information and to identify career opportunities (LinkedIn, John van de Bruinhorst)

F

• Financial Academics Network: Built exclusively for academics in finance and financial economics, FAN offers members the opportunity to connect with fellow academics and discuss issues of particular interest in financial education  (Ning: Jacob Bettany)
• Fireside Learning: A network created for collegial conversation, for sharing thoughts about education. (Ning, Connie Weber)

G

• Gaming and Learning in Second Life: o focus and catalyze worldwide efforts of educators, commercial ventures, and organizations to harness, promote, and implement gaming for the purposes of intentional and incidental learning in Second Life (Ning, Jeremy Koester)
• Gifted Education 2.0: Real life collaboration regarding all issues in Gifted Education (Ning, Ginger Lewman)

H

• Higher Education in US: community of people interested in US higher education. We welcome and invite students, alumni, advisors, and consultants who want to seek/offer advice about US higher education. (NIng, Veekay)
• Huddlemind: for those who are actively shaping new thinking on education (Ning, Huddlemind)

I

• ICT in Education: for visitors to www.ictineducation.org and the newsletter, Computers in Classrooms  (Ning, Terry Freedman)
• ImagiLearning: Creating the future of learning: This community is for those who can endure the shaking of all of their comfort levels, as we attempt to understand and join the new culture of learning. (Ning, John Jamison)
• Instructional Design & E-Learning Group: connects professionals in the field of Instructional Design and E-Learning. (Ning, Christopher Pappas)
• Internet Time: a collaboration of wonderful people (Ning, Jay Cross)
• iPod Educators: a social network where educational podcasters at all levels share philosophy, experiences, tools, and techniques to reach the iPod generation of learners (Ning, Sue Palmer)

K

• K12 Online Learning: a network for people to share ideas, resources, and questions about the world of K-12 Online Learning (Ning, Allison Powell)
• Key Stage 3 Geography: A Ning to support everyone teaching the new Geography KS3 (Ning, David Rayner)

 L

• Laptop Learning Community: Preparing students with 21st skills (Ning. Julene)
• Learn2.008 Shanghai Conference: for those at the conference and afterwards  (Ning, Jeff Utecht)
• Learning: A network for sharing learning resources here on the web. Please share any resources that you find particularly inspiring and helpful, they can be blogs, podcasts, videos, zines, bookmarks, anything. (Ning, Jen)
• Learning 2.0: a platform for members to exchange expertise and skills (Ning, Vikas Dhawan)
• Learning, Education and Training Professionals Group: This is a group for training professionals, including project managers, instructional designers, developers, learning environment engineers, learning officers and classroom trainers. (Mark Lovelace, LinkedIn)
• Learning Spanish: A resource for everybody looking to learn Spanish. (Ning, Steve Hall)
• Learning Technologies User Group: An online community where Learning Technologies User Group (LTUG) Members & others interested in learning technologies can share ideas. (Ning, Carol Daunt Skyring)
• LearningTown: A village for learning professionals (Ning, Elliot Masie)
• Learn Web 2.0 with Maggie: This group is for all those who want to learn with me about how to use Web 2.0 technologies for teaching and learning (Ning, Maggie Verster)
• Library 2.0: for librarians and others interested in Library 2.0 (Ning, Bill Drew)
• Library Learning: Network for library learning professionals (Ning, Lori Reed)
• LinkedIn: A major professional networking site (not just for learning professionals)
• Loquella Language Learning Community: Learning languages and travelling go hand in hand. (Ning, LoquellaGirl)

M

• My Learning Space: global community of educators. Exchange ideas about innovative teaching, share resources, work together in open learning courses and create your own groups. (Ning, Chad Outten)

N

• Ning in Education: Using Ning for educational social networks (Ning, Steve Hargadon)

O

• Online Instruction: Teachers need ongoing support and information to facilitate online classes. Online Instruction caters to instructors' needs. (Ning, Nellie Deutsch)
• Open Learning Exchange Network: OLE members and friends meet here to share ideas and resources for bringing basic education to everyone by 2015. (Ning)
• OZ/NZ Educators: for the OZ/NZ educators group and a focal point for discussions and links to our regular group meetings (Ning, Sue)

P

• Passionate Teachers: a special group of dedicated teachers, who consider teaching as a mission and not just a job. Add your drop of knowledge to this vast ocean of knowledge. (Ning, Rashmi Kathuria)
• Personalized Learning: Social network for those interested in personalized learning from either a technological or pedagogical perspective.  (Ning, Stevie Rocco)
• Product Training Community: network is designed for product training professionals; members share best practice, resources, experience and advice with other like-minded peers in similar roles.(Ning, Natalia Reddy)
• Professional Development 2.0: A new paradigm for teaching means a new way for Educators to learn (Ning, Sharon Betts)
• Professional Development Community: This is a community web site for the teachers and administrators interested in professional growth (Ning, Lucy Gray)

R

• RezEd: The hub for learning and virtual worlds for K12 and higher ed educators interested in the use of virtual worlds in education (Ning)

S

• School 2.0:  The transformation of education(Ning, Steve Hargadon)
• Second Classroom: a project to explore ways in which educators can create projects for students using immersive media such as Second Life, MMORPG and social networks to create authentic learning. (Ning)
• Second Life Education Community Conference: Whether you're planning on being in Tampa, FL in Sept 08 for SLCC or are participating inworld, this is the place for you to network with fellow SLED colleagues. (Ning, Jonathon Richter / Wainbrave Bernal)
• Second Life Travel Guide: Finding the best locations in a world as large as Second Life can be difficult. After exhaustive research we have tracked down the best locations, the must visits in your virtual travels. (NIng, Sean Percival)
• Serious Games: Serious games (SGs) or persuasive games are computer and video games used as persuasion technology or educational technology. They can be similar to educational games, but are often intended for an audience outside of primary or secondary education. (Ning, AC)
• Social Learning: Exposing the power of sharing user created content through collaborative, non-formal learning environments. (Ning, Kevin D Jones)
• SporeLearning: Let's talk about how SPORE can be used in education/training/learning (Ning, Brent Schlenker)

T

• Tapped-In, K-12 teachers, librarians, administrators, and professional development staff, as well as university faculty, students, and researchers gather here to learn, collaborate, share, and support one another.
• Teachers 2.0: Teaching in the digital age (Ning, Aaron Smith)
• TeacherLibrarianNing: A community for teacher-librarians and other educators (Ning, Joyce Valenza)
• Teachers 2.0: A group of educators helping each other to learn and use the new tools that are out there - from PowerPoint to Web 2.0. (Ning, Aaron Smith)
• Teaching and Learning with Technology: Explore technologies and identify the opportunities they can offer to enable, empower and transform teaching and learning. (Ning, Vasi)
• Tech Camp for Educators: With literacy as a focus, technology will be infused across the curriculum as a tool for teaching and learning.  (Ning, Meg Ormiston)
• The E-Learning Council: Advance E-learning through a community that provides leadership, best practices and resources in a collaborative environment
• The ELearning Guild: This is the LinkedIn group for members of The eLearning Guild, a world-wide community of practice for e-learning professionals: designers, developers, and managers (LinkedIn, Bill Brandon)
• The IALLT Learning Ning: a learning community for anyone involved in using technology to learn about languages, literatures, and cultures. IALLT, a professional association for technology-using language educators, promotes the sharing of expertise in many contexts. (NIng, sharongs)
• The Global Education Collaborative: a community for teachers and students interested in global education. (Ning, Lucy Gray)
• The Schools United (TSU): networking site dedicated solely to the education community worldwide. It provides schools and staff with the free facility to share educational resources and experiences.
• The Training Professional Exchange: A network for training professionals to exchange best practices. (NIng, Kaliym Islam)

U

• UK Youth Online: Towards YouthWork 2.0 (Ning, Tim Davies)
• USKOOB, A social network for teachers that is Australian based but has members from across the globe

V

• Video Games as Learning Tools: A resource for people interested in teaching and learning with video games.  (Ning, Brock Dubbels)
• Virtual Worlds and Social Networking in Education: In this course we will study the workings of Web 2.0 and develop through our discussions and shared papers, insights, and opinions an understanding of social networking sites and virtual worlds as educational environments. (Ning, Michael McVey)
• Voicethread for Educators: Looking to create, build and keep resources for people using Voicethread in their classrooms.  (Ning, Mark Carls)

W

• WeAreTeachers: the first network designed to empower teachers of all types (Ning, Kelly Looney)
• Web 2.0 for Teachers: This network is for teachers and administrators who have attended presentations that highlight the use of Web 2.0 tools. We are also accepting membership by educators who are interested in using and sharing the use of Web 2.0. (Ning, Karen Montgomery)
• Web 2.0 in higher education: Here you will be able to discuss all things Web 2.0 with like minded people. (Ning, Dan Robinson)
• What are you learning on Facebook? Let's tell the doubting educators, parents, journalists, and business leaders that we're doing more than browsing through people's profiles on Facebook. We're learning from those profiles, our friends updates, the articles they post and more! (Facebook group, Marcia Conner)
• Workforce Educators: A Network for Educators using Social Media to teach and learn. New members are welcome and encouraged to contribute. (Ning, Jen)
• Working together to make a difference: The aim of this space is to detail the efforts of educators and their students who are doing their bit to think outside of themselves and raise funds for worthy causes (Ning, Jenny Luca)
• Work Literacy: Web 2.0 for learning professionals (Ning, MIchele Martin)
• Workplace Learning 2.0: Open to anyone interested in discussing the implementation of new, Web 2.0, learning approaches and technologies for the personal or professional development of employees in private, public or voluntary sector organizations. (Ning, Jane Hart)