The number of users in social networking/technology are ever increasing and can be quite effective in the educational system. When I was an undergraduate student, technology was a great asset to utilize in my learning process, especially with the type of work that was required. Besides utilizing technology for school based work and achievement I also used it to communicate with others, and create new friendships. Even now as a Physical Educator, there is much of social networking. Even though it can have it's negative aspects, there are much positives as well. There is so much knowledge that can be attained and presented through social networking.
With high schools students I have found that they greatly enjoy social networking. Which brings me to the point on another fact the article stated. Through technology increase, literacy has changed. From experience in working with adolescents for a couple of years now, I have known this to be true. How students communicate with their peers,write, or read translates over into how they communicate with their parents or teachers. Today's texting, facebook, youtube, and twitter language has often been expressed to me in the classroom setting, whether that be if the student is speaking, demonstrating a skill or has written a paper. Even though social networking has impacted literacy in a negative aspect, it has benefits as well. Students are able to complete homework, research, communicate with friends and much more. Incorporating technology into the student learning process can motivate them along with meeting the needs of their learning styles and student engagement may increase.
In conclusion I believe that social networking/technology can be effective for adolescents and adults. It will continue to increase and improve as time go on. There will also always be pro's and con's with it . How it is used or incorporated can determine the outcome.
n reading the Social Networking in Undergraduate Education article, I found that the results of specific findings correlated with my own experiences in social networking as well as with the lives of students that I have interacted with.