Ninging in the rain

Actually the rain seems to have stopped, but its quite cold and grey outside.

I'm discovering Ning.

"Ning is the only online service where you can create, customize, and share your own Social Network for free in seconds."

So, its a bit like the biggies - Bebo, Facebook, Myspace, but can be set up for your own network of shared interests.

Here's a Ning network called Library 2.0. Well, I've logged in, answered a few questions about myself, now what?

Library 2.0 has some videos which could be interesting to watch, a forum, various interest groups, and invites you to add your own photos, and a blog.

There's also a Ning network for itsig the LIANZA (NZ Library and Information Association) special interest group relating to IT. I've asked to join, but need to be approved.

I guess a Ning network could be set up for regional groups of library staff, or for a particular purpose, like organising a conference.

Aah, here's an interesting network, Classroom 2.0. This looks very well set out with interesting content, and I see its a finalist in the EduBlog awards 2007. Lots of things to learn about here! The section on English looks interesting.

Here's Classroom 2.0's summary of their network for the Edublog Awards:
"Classroom 2.0 was created to provide an easy starting place for educators to be introduced to the tools of Web 2.0, and to encourage them to be part of the online dialog. With over 4,000 registered users, and growing over 100 per week, Classroom 2.0 has become a spawning ground for many other wonderful educational social networks based on the Ning platform, and has also hopefully shown the positive potential for social networking in education at a time when concerns about MySpace and Facebook overshadowed the technology’s pedagogical potential. Steve Hargadon in California, USA."

Looks like there are lots of educational networks here. Ning in Education is all about setting up Ning classroom networks (add free for Grades 7-12). Then theres School2.0, which is deals with broader issues than the more practical Classroom2.0. Look at this post about Social Cataloguing, about LibraryThing.

Another current post on School2.0 takes you to this wiki, which provides web 2 tutorials for educators. This looks really useful, and covers
RSS
Social bookmarks
Blogs
Wikis
Links and Resources

And there seem to be a variety of reading groups and book clubs.
The Sword and Laser - for sci fi and fantasy fans
LITeracy and Technology - putting the IT into Literacy

Here's Kingswear School network, which is also a finalist in the EduBlogs awards.

And finally (for now), a very useful-looking Teacher Librarian network, here.

I'm beginning to like this Ning. But why do I have a headache? Time for lunch.