Technology Toolkit

Today’s college students have grown up with the internet. They are web-savvy and know their way around cyberspace. This can be a big challenge for teachers and administrators, who may not be as well-versed with today’s technology. The emergence of social networks such as Facebook and MySpace has created a technical gap between teens and adults unlike anything that previously existed.

Because of the way teens use technology, it’s becoming even more important that the adults in their lives catch up with the times. The value of technology in the classroom is growing, and social networking is central to communication.

Although some teachers are hesitant to use social networking because of privacy issues and the potential learning curve, it’s the way of the future and a very valuable tool. This is how our students communicate – through Facebook, through Instant Messaging, and through the many portals on the web. It’s time that everyone gets on the same page.

The problem that teachers and administrators will encounter is that for now, MySpace and Facebook are a place where students can talk freely, and teachers and parents are not always welcome. An adult presence is an intrusion to some.

Today’s educators need an intuitive, safe, online environment that connects students, teachers, parents, and administrators in a responsible way. There needs to be a portal that is geared toward education and one that, while driven by teachers, is open to students, parents, and administrators.

Simply put, they need a social network for the classroom.

In a true Web 2.0 environment, students, parents, and administrators can all participate in the teaching process together. All parties can ask questions, share knowledge, and relay experiences. This is an active environment. This concept applies not only within a specific classroom, but across all classrooms that can now share a common learning environment – a common social network. For example, a lesson a few years ago was taught in a classroom. The lesson was introduced, a discussion followed, and the lesson ended. Students were then responsible for retaining the information presented and acting on it.

That same lesson today, taught in a Web 2.0 environment, goes something like this: The lesson is introduced and an online discussion follows. This discussion includes the viewpoints and experiences of students, teachers, administrators, and parents from around the globe. It includes comments and ignites new ideas and conversations. It is enhanced by images, audio, and videos which will also create new ideas and discussions

This same lesson, when taught the following year, already has the foundation of the previous year’s information. The next year builds upon the previous two years, and so on. In the end, we have an ever-growing historical account of the ideas brought about by the lesson – a clearly superior situation to the way it had been taught ten years earlier.

Considering the speed at which technology is evolving, teachers should be encouraged to find and use a social network, and students should keep an open mind and embrace a new way of learning. This model, when used responsibly, will spark a revolution of knowledge.

Simply put, search engine optimization helps search engines find you on the web. Good search engine optimization ensures that your site ranks high in search results. Why is that important? Because it’s the top results that get the most traffic. If you’re not being found at least on the first page, you won’t see the traffic you want. It’s better to be in the top 10 results, and if you can secure a number one or two spot, you’re in terrific shape.

Search engine optimization, or SEO, involves a few different things:

* Keyword research. This involves researching and choosing the most appropriate targeted keyword phrases related to your site.

* Well-written, targeted content. You’ll use your keywords in your page title, meta description, meta tags, navigation, and in your content.

* Link Building. Google loves links, so you’ll want to develop a strategy to get quality inbound links to your site.

How do these elements help search engines find you?

Search engines use complicated formulas called algorithms to determine what comes up in search results. A search engine may use hundreds of factors while ranking the listings. Algorithms differ between search engines, as well. You may find a web page that ranks #1 in a particular search engine but #200 in another search engine.

By the way – these algorithms are kept top secret, and they change frequently. It’s the search engine’s job to provide visitors with accurate search results, so by keeping this information secret it keeps things real, and spammers can’t clog those results.

Tip: Don’t pay someone to submit your sites to search engines.

A common misconception is that you need to submit a new website to the search engines. This is simply not true, so don’t ever pay anyone money when they offer to do this for you. Search engines have “spiders” who crawl the web regularly and will find your site on their own. It typically takes a few days to a few weeks for the search engine “spiders” to completely crawl your site. If you want to speed things up a bit, a few quality inbound links from a well established site will help the spiders find you a little quicker.

How can I do SEO if I don’t know how?

You can do the research yourself and make the changes to your site, or you can hire someone to do it for you. It really depends on your goals and your budget. SEO can take up a lot of your time, but it’s also expensive to hire someone to do it for you.

A good search engine marketing and promotion company will review your site’s plan and make recommendations on how to improve your traffic and rankings. It’s not uncommon for your search engine optimization expert to work with your web designer to build an integrated plan right away so that all aspects of design are considered at the same time. Some firms also provide ongoing consultation and traffic monitoring. By monitoring your traffic you can see what’s working and what’s not.

Why do businesses use social networking?

The internet is shifting from just an information gathering tool to a social participation arena with information at its core. Because of this, taking advantage of social networking can be an important part of your business marketing strategy.

Social networking has plenty of business benefits, but let’s break it down to four main areas. Understanding these benefits will help you shape an effective approach to your own social networking efforts:

Establishing business connections/joint ventures: Because a lot of businesses are using social networking opportunities, there is no shortage of business owners to connect with. This is your opportunity to establish mutually beneficial relationships with other business owners who complement your products or services. Connect, share ideas, and form a profitable joint venture. Do not limit yourself. Be creative. It will be worth the effort.

Getting new readers/subscribers: Social networking generally requires more than subtlety than just blasting out your sales page link. People don’t participate in social networks to get a sales pitch. They do it to share information and opinions, build friendships, have fun, and be social. Be yourself! Share ideas, be helpful, give value. These things will build trust and your reputation. That trust can later lead to sales.

It’s easier to attract attention and gain a faithful following in social networks by sharing your content – your blog, videos, etc. Once you get their attention, this starts the marketing process by pre-selling your readers and eventually turning them into customers.

If you approach social networking as a direct selling medium, you may see a few sales here and there, but soon people will tire of your sales pitches. Use careful judgement here. It’s ok to announce new products, posts, etc., but don’t let that be all you talk about. Everyone on the internet is looking for answers and solution to a problem. Be the resource that everyone looks to.

Create transparency and connection: This is your opportunity for a more personal connection with your existing readers/customers, as well as the new ones you acquire along the way. Many of your readers and customers are most likely already using social networks. Having you join them on a more personal level allows your readers to see you in a different light. When your readers trust you, they’re more likely to buy from you and spread the word about you.

Word of mouth: Everything we’ve talked about so far culminates in one of the biggest benefits of social networking – and that is word of mouth. Having people talk about you is better than any advertising you can buy. Word travels quickly, and the benefits of a recommendation over a sales pitch are invaluable.

Clearly, social networking can be very beneficial for your business. Give it a try!

There seems to be a lot of talk lately about social networking. This article will help you understand what social marketing and networking is all about.

Social networking is essentially the act of interacting with others on the internet. Online networking helps to form connections, establish and enhance relationships, and build a list of contacts. The use of any form of web interaction through which you can express your opinion is social networking.

How does someone use social networking? You can comment on blogs or forums, you can post a video on a site like YouTube, or you can use social bookmarking sites like Digg, Stumbleupon. You might prefer MySpace, Facebook, or Twitter. All allow you to send and receive messages from members. There’s really no limit to what you can do.

From a business perspective, social networking can be an incredibly valuable tool. A business owner can hear what their customers are saying about their products or services. Social marketing is also a good way to get ideas for new products and services. What are people talking about? What kinds of questions do they have that you can answer? It’s an information goldmine, and the savvy business owner will use this to his/her advantage. The bottom line is to use social networking to find out what the market is looking for, and then be sure you give it to them.

Another way to use social networking to your advantage is to establish positive relationships with your customers. Take the time to talk to them and interact, without selling. Build the relationship and establish their trust. Use these relationships to ask questions and get ideas. Once you have established a positive relationship your new contacts will be more likely to buy from you and recommend you to their friends.

Think of ways to encourage your visitors to be more interactive and to participate in discussions. Offer incentives, bonuses, fun interactive tools, etc., and use that to build your community. Remember, the more involved your customers are, the more they talk about you! Treat them well and the feedback will be positive.

If you make a mistake, own up to it immediately. Don’t try to pass the buck, dance around the subject, or ignore it in hopes it will go away. Sort out the problem and fix it. Complete transparency is what will help your business and your reputation grow. Word of mouth is viral marketing – you can’t put a value on positive word of mouth.

As awesome as social networking is, it’s important to remember that whatever you say and do online is instantly and permanently broadcast around the world. Once you post something online it is there forever, even if you delete it. When you comment on someone’s blog, submit a website to Digg, post a video on YouTube, or create a page on your own website, remember that every single little thing can make a huge impact on your business. Harness the power of the internet and make it work for you, not against you.