Learning, Networks and Distance

Discover has posted a video interview with danah boyd talking about her research into the emergence of social networking and social networks in the United States. Her research is an interesting look at how platforms were first adopted on the coasts of the US and then spread from these spaces across the interior of the country. She has also analyzed how different platforms over time (Friendster, MySpace and Facebook) have emerged and split in their use by various demographics.

But in this video she also mentions a map which appeared in The Guardian newspaper (which I haven't been able to find after much searching - if anyone has a link to it I'd be greatly appreciative if you could post it here) telling about the distance which children have been allowed to travel over the years. For example, people my grandfather and father's age were often allowed to roam five or six miles from home to go swimming, meet with friends, etc. People my age were allowed to travel around their neighourhood to meet friends and find something to do. Whereas children growing up in these times are often restricted to their own yards. A dramatic loss of space.

I find this fascinating and a great explanation for the rise in importance of technologies such as IM and social networks. These technologies allow children to "roam" much further afield in virtual spaces then they are often allowed to in their real lives. Living in a small town, our students are often amazed and shocked to hear from students who live in cities of this type of lifestyle as here they have much greater freedom to travel across the community.

This video also reminds me of the doctoral thesis written by Ulises Mejias about Networked Proximity. In this piece, he talks about information being "social glue that allows networks to transcend distance." He also talks about the idea that there is a shift underway from "physical proximity to informational availability as a principle of social relevance." This would match boyd's ideas because as people become more isolated from each other geographically and as our social networks become more "glocal" (a hybrid of global and local) the importance of technology as a social and learning tool has increased.

Interestingly, the combination of increased technological access and social change has made it easier for us to be social with and learn together in virtual spaces with those who are located far away from us, then then those who are located a short distance away who we need to spend time with in reality. This research into social change is important to us as educators as we strive to make some sense of how the generation in our classrooms use these tools and understand their world.

Tags: danahboyd, discover, networked proximity, ulises mejias

Comments

[Kathy Cassidy]

You're right, that is fascinating, Clarence. It makes me wonder about the boundaries of the next generation.

[Nick Smith]

It is amazing to think about where technology is going to be in the near future. As a student in college my Curriculum and Instruction class often deals with this topic. Teachers will have to learn the new technologies that their students use and find new creative ways of teaching and relating to the students. Another task is how these new devices will inspire the students to use their creativity. There is no telling what is in store for future teachers, it is going to be interesting.

[Laura Blaskey]

As a college student, I also find it interesting the ways in which students use these social networking sites to stay in touch after they have left high school. Although I went to a small high school, there are many people I would have never spoken to or heard from again had it not been for Facebook. It also allowed students from my small school to keep in touch with friends from other area schools that they know through sports and other activities. It truly has revolutionized the way students interact. This new way of thinking about communication has both advantages and disadvantages. One important advantage is that staying in touch means college graduates know that many more people, which greatly enhances their professional networking in the future. However, relationships that are maintained through social networking sites can be very impersonal. It will be very interesting to see what kinds of effects social networking sites, especially Facebook, will have on education and our society.

[William Kist]

Clarence, this concept that Danah Boyd mentions is very close to a video from CBS News that I've just posted on my blog today. Check it out at williamkist.com! I'd make a direct link in this comment, but I don't seem to know how.

Seems like so many people are asking these same questions. But are they being alarmist?

[Pam]

I think this might be the link to the newspaper interview that you wanted.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/jun/25/usnews.digitalmedia

[Clarence Fisher]

The map referenced in the post originally comes from a book called Last Child in the Woods. It is referenced in this CBS News video found by Will Richardson:

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3833187n