Ning

=**Ning**=


 * What is it?**
 * Ning competes with social sites like MySpace and Facebook by appealing to people who want to create their own social networks around specific interests with their own visual design, choice of features and member data. At its launch, Ning offered several simple base websites developed internally and by members of a closed beta. In late September 2006, Ning narrowed its focus to offering a group website, a photos website, and a videos website for people to copy and use for any purpose. These three templates were later superseded by a single customizable application aimed at enabling anyone to easily create their own social network.
 * Ning is yet another way for professionals and the lay person to network and share information. These networks are especially useful for educators who wish to share information across distances or down the hall.


 * How can you use it?**
 * Collaboration within the classroom, school, community and world.
 * Provides the ability to share ideas and learn from many different people.
 * Can be used in many different curricular settings and across multiple grade levels.


 * Why would you use it?**
 * Students have the ability to communicate with students in a similar situation to bounce ideas off of one another and to collaborate.
 * Students can use the Ning to find groups with similar interests.
 * PRO: The unique feature of Ning is that anyone can create their own social network for a particular topic or need, catering to specific membership bases.
 * PRO: Ning does allow developers to have some source level control of their social networks, enabling them to change features and underlying logic.
 * PRO: Connect people around your interest or passion.
 * PRO: As the administrator, you can control your students content and monitor all activity.
 * CON: In their terms agreement, "The Ning Platform is not directed to children younger than 13 and is offered only to users 13 years of age or older. If you are under 13 years old, please do not use the Ning Platform. Any person who provides their personal information through the Ning Platform represents to us that they are 13 years of age or older."
 * CON: Must have internet access to use this tool
 * Standards: 1 a-d, 2 a-d, 3 a-d, 4 a-d, 5 a-d, 6 a-d

References
 * Ning (wikipedia)
 * Ning (website)
 * Ning in Education
 * Classroom 2.0 Ning Discussion Thread