Over 70% of teens and 40% of adults in the US are on social networking sites regularly. By 2011, more than half of adult internet users and over 84% of teens will visit social networks monthly. This trend is not slowing down either. In fact, time spent on social networking sites is up 71 percent from last year. Bottom line, both students and their parents are virtually living online.
THE CHALLENGE
Today schools are looking for new and creative ways to tap into the power of social media for improved teaching and learning. The challenge many schools face with attempting to use traditional social networks like Facebook and MySpace directly is that they offer very little control over the learning process. In addition, there is virtually no way to ensure privacy and security for young 21st century learners.
THE SOLUTION
ConnectYard enables schools to leverage popular social media for teaching students where they live and socialize, online. The platform offers K-12 schools their own private learning communities with controlled access that are integrated with popular social networks like Facebook, which serves to make course work more social and collaborative by keeping students involved and engaged both in and outside of the classroom. Only users approved by the school are permitted to join the community and interact with other users. This eliminates a primary concern of both parents and administrators.
ConnectYard also provides teachers with the ability to audit student groups, walls, etc. This serves to ensure that both the interactions and information being shared are appropriate, which helps to guard against cyber bullying or posting of copyrighted materials. Thus fostering safe and secure learning communities, or Yards, that improve the student educational experience and chances for success.
For more information on our educational software and service solutions, contact us at 973.494.8041 or sales@connectyard.com.