Ning

Ning is a way you can host your own blogs and discussion forums in your own class social network.

Showcase - Getting Started - More Information
=Showcase= [| http://thebioside.ning.com] || T Schurtz, L Ebersole, J Darnell [] || J Rieger http://belljar.ning.com || ContributorS4 ||
 * [[image:ningS1.jpg caption="Interactive final project in science. Click to see project explanation" link="http://umahstmm.wikispaces.com/file/view/ningS1explained.jpg"]] || [[image:nings2.jpg caption="Click to learn about how English teachers are using ning for summer reading" link="http://umahstmm.wikispaces.com/file/view/nings2explained.jpg/"]] || [[image:ningS3.jpg caption="Come back soon for guided tour of how a literature discussion group turned into cross-curricular experience"]] ||   ||
 * M Werner

=What You Need To Know Before You Start=
 * [|Ning] is an online platform for people to create their own social networks. Each network has its own unique address (see showcase examples above)
 * While the ning site (www.ning.com) is blocked on our network, individual communities can be unblocked and used with students.
 * You can get the ads removed for any ning you create for k-12 education. Just follow [|these directions]
 * You should decide before you start whether you want your ning to be public or private:
 * Private nings will not be viewable unless visitors have a membership.
 * Public nings can be set so that all content is viewable by non-members or only the front page is viewable by non-members.
 * Before using your ning with students you must submit the address to the [|help desk] to be unblocked.
 * Students will need to create a ning account in order to participate in your ning.
 * IMPORTANT: Before setting up accounts for students, refer to Usernames & Passwords.

=Where Can I Find More Information?=
 * [|Ning Help Page]
 * [|How to get started with ning] video on YouTube
 * How to create a ning network slideshow